As a former six-foot, 140-pound teenager, I sympathize with modern crossovers. Height invites awkward handling, and there’s never been a crossover more agile than the sedan it’s based upon.
Until now. Thanks to BMW black magic, critics are claiming the X3 is more nimble than the new 3-series. While I haven’t yet tested the latter, I can believe it. The X3 offers space and comfort but most notably, everything you’d want from an affordable sports car: brisk acceleration, corner-cutting handling and a lightning-quick transmission.
Starting at about $42K, the X3 left me puzzled and impressed.