BMW Cars in India (26)

Autocar India

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If you're looking to spend around Rs 53-57 lakh (on-road, Mumbai) for an EV, you have a lot of options - BYD Seal, BYD Sealion 7, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW iX1, Kia EV6, Mini Countryman, Mercedes CLA, Volvo C40 Recharge and Tesla Model Y.The BYD Sealion 7 is among the more affordable options here - it feels like a flagship product, with a richly appointed interior, and a solid, satisfying drive experience. The BMW iX1 gets its fundamentals right and will come closest to the BMW 523i's experience, as far as interior quality, sound insulation, and refinement go, although performance isn't its strong suit. For strong performance, a laundry list of features, and a larger and more spacious interior, consider the Kia EV6. Sure, on paper it is much more expensive; however, Kia dealers are offering mouth-watering discounts. Also, the AWD version's price is lower than the recently launched RWD Hyundai Ioniq 5.As far as resale value goes, EVs across the board don't hold strong residual values compared to their ICE counterparts, irrespective of the badge they wear or the segment they belong.

BYD Sealion 7

BYD Seal

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Kia EV6

BMW iX1 LWB

Autocar India

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If you are looking for a good used luxury car, check out the Mercedes GLA or the BMW X1. Stick with the current generation models and look for the one that is around 4 to 5 years old. You can consider buying from organized pre owned car sellers like Spinny. You may pay a bit more than the open market but you will get cars that are thoroughly checked and with warranty too. If you are looking at the Mahindra XEV 9E, make sure you have a provision to charge it at home or your place of work as relying solely on the public network isn't really feasible. Also, if your highway runs are more than 350 odd kms and involve mountain roads, you might have to stop for a charge too. So make sure your route has plenty of charging options.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

BMW X1

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

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The greatest advantage of the BMW 3 Series LWB is its dual nature. It is excellent to drive, embodying those typical 3 Series traits of sharp steering, near 50:50 weight distribution, a taut chassis and rear-wheel drive. However, owing to its long wheelbase, it provides an excellent chauffeur driven experience too, with a spacious back seat and a surprisingly pliant and comfortable ride. The advantage here is of choice - unlike its bigger sibling, the 5 Series, the 3 Series LWB is available with a petrol engine (330Li) and a diesel engine option (320Ld), both of which come with the M Sport exterior and interior styling pack. Which you choose is dependent on your usage. If you have heavy highway usage regularly, only then would we recommend the 320Ld, as that's where you'll see the main benefit, which is fuel economy. Such driving will also allow you to regenerate the DPF regularly, which is a necessity in modern diesel cars. If that's not your use case, we would stick to the 330Li petrol, which is slightly more affordable too. The powerful and smooth 258hp engine is well suited to a sharp-handling sedan like the 3 Series, and it is the more refined option as well. Yes, fuel efficiency won't be as good, but if used mostly in the city and driven carefully, the real-world gap is not that much.

BMW 3 Series LWB

Autocar India

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With 75-80% city use, some fun drives on weekends, and a clear need to keep the back seat calm, the Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC fits your brief better right now. In slow to medium city speeds, it rides softer, so speed breakers and broken patches are handled with less bounce, and people in the back do not get tossed around. The steering is light at low speeds, and the automatic gearbox, which changes gears on its own, is very smooth, so daily traffic is easy, yet the engine still feels strong when you want to make a quick overtake. It is also quieter inside, which makes city trips feel less tiring.The trade-off is that when you really push on a fast road, the GLC does not feel as eager or as tight as the BMW. Pick the BMW X3 xDrive30 if you drive yourself most of the time and want a car that feels sharper and more connected on an open road. The new X3 also gives you the freshest design and tech today, which matters to you. Just note that its ride is firmer in the city, so the back seat will feel a bit more movement on rough roads than in the GLC.On waiting: a GLC facelift by 2026-27 is possible, but India timing is uncertain, and updates may be small. If “latest” is your top goal, the new X3 gives you that today. If city comfort for family comes first, the GLC 300 is the safer bet.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

BMW X3

Autocar India

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For what you're after, the BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport is the one that fits your brief best. It feels the most engaging to drive without giving up daily comfort, and it feels safe and steady at speed. The 2.0 diesel has strong pull for quick passes, the 8‑speed automatic shifts very smoothly, and the rear-biased xDrive AWD focuses on driving pleasure while still providing a safety net. In the city, it is easy to drive, the engine is quiet enough at low speeds, and visibility is good. You could also consider the new xDrive 30 petrol, which is even more exciting to drive, but we feel the trade-offs to mileage and ride comfort for your mixed usage mean the 20d still feels like the better bet.The Mercedes GLC has slightly softer suspension and a more luxurious interior, but is not quite as fun to drive. And the Land Rover Discovery Sport feels tougher and has the advantage of a small third row of seats, but it simply feels too dated and not as refined in this company. Overall, we would recommend the BMW X3 for you.

BMW X3

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Autocar India

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If you are mostly sitting in the back seat and your use is primarily in the city, the Lexus RX 350h fits that role well. It scores high on refinement, space and luxury, with exceptional attention to detail and a uniquely Japanese take on cabin design. Being a strong hybrid, the RX 350h moves mostly on electric power in traffic, and the switchover is near imperceptible; as you can imagine, fuel consumption is incredibly low by luxury SUV standards. Noise levels are low, so calls or resting in the back seat are easy. Lexus also has a strong record for trouble-free ownership, which matters when you plan to keep the car for a long.There are a few things to note for a back-seat user. The rear seat is comfortable and reclines, but the floor is a bit high, so tall people may sit a little knee-up. It is a wide five-seater, but it does not feel as airy as the biggest rivals. If you want a roomier back seat and a more stretched-leg feel, the Volvo XC90 will feel bigger, and it also gives you seven seats if that ever helps. If you sometimes drive yourself and enjoy a sportier feel, the BMW X5 is the one that feels more lively from the front seat, though its ride can feel firmer in the back.However, both those cars are more expensive than the Lexus, which today spells exceptional value in the segment.

Lexus RX

Volvo XC90

BMW X5

Autocar India

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Your concerns about E20 fuel impacting the BMW X3 30's engine are understandable, but largely overblown. The current BMW X3 xDrive30 with its 2.0-litre petrol engine is fully E20-compliant, and BMW has built in sufficient engineering margins to handle even higher ethanol blends like E27 should they become standard. Any potential wear from ethanol exposure typically manifests only after 5-6 years of use, and replacement of affected components is primarily fuel system seals and sensors, which aren’t prohibitively expensive or complex. So don't let E20 worries push you toward diesel, which brings its own maintenance headaches, particularly DPF regeneration issues that require regular long-distance driving to prevent clogging.Regarding performance, while both variants produce 400Nm of torque, the power difference between the 197hp diesel and 258hp petrol is quite significant. The X3 30 petrol reaches 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds, whereas it takes 7.7 seconds for the 20d, making it noticeably quicker in real-world driving. That said, the diesel's torque delivery at lower revs makes it more relaxed for highway cruising and better suited for hill driving, where you need strong pulling power without downshifting.The smart choice boils down to your driving pattern. Choose the X3 xDrive20d if you regularly cover long highway distances or frequently drive in the hills where low-end torque matters. For typical urban-suburban use with occasional highway runs, the X3 30 petrol offers stronger performance, modern mild-hybrid efficiency, and genuinely hassle-free ownership over your 5-7 year horizon. Either way, both are reliable choices when maintained properly.

BMW X3

Autocar India

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You should opt for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. It is the most complete choice for everyday use and long trips among these three right now. The GLC rides very comfortably on bad roads, and the petrol engine is smooth and quiet. The steering is light in the city, the view out is clear, and the automatic gearbox shifts cleanly on its own, so it is easy to drive even in heavy traffic. Inside, it feels the newest and most upmarket, and Mercedes has a wide service network across big and small cities.Pick the BMW X3 petrol only if driving fun matters most to you and you often enjoy fast highway runs yourself. It feels keener to drive than the other two, especially in the recently introduced xDrive30 variant. Choose the Audi Q5 if you want a solid, comfortable SUV that's nice to drive and excellent value for money. Do bear in mind that it's quite old now and doesn't feel as modern as the other two.Overall, for a balanced, luxurious, and easy-to-own petrol SUV, the GLC 300 is the one to buy.

BMW X3

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Audi Q5

Autocar India

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The BMW X3 is the better driver's car, while the Volvo XC60 is the better all-rounder. The recently introduced X3 xDrive30 gives the SUV the performance its chassis has always yearned for, and some crucial interior updates like more leatherette trim for a premium feel. It handles exceptionally well and rides comfortably too, plus it meets your other requirements of ground clearance and boot space. However, it still doesn't feel quite luxurious enough, and that's despite costing nearly Rs 10 lakh more than the Volvo.We think you should go for the Volvo XC60, which, though far more relaxed on the performance and handling front, still feels capable and predictable, with more than enough power. Moreover, though, it works much better as a luxury car, with more comfortable seats, front and rear, and a much better-appointed interior. In fact, though it is much older than the X3, the fact that it feels more contemporary on the inside is a testament to this. Its infotainment system is also more logically laid out and easier to use, and it's better equipped than the BMW, including an exquisite Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Its boot isn't quite as large as the X3's, however, though it should be more than large enough for most of your needs. And it's worth bearing in mind that Volvo's dealer and service network isn't as big as BMW's.If you consider a sedan, it should be the BMW 530Li - it's even better to drive than the X3 and has a more spacious and comfy back seat, as well as plenty of boot space. More than ground clearance, it's the car's long wheelbase you have to be careful of over bumps. And if you're considering an electric car, look at the BYD Sealion 7, which is an excellent all-rounder with a luxurious interior and good range. However, if you do long drives regularly, any EV might not be worth the hassle of depending on the public charging infrastructure.

BMW X3

Volvo XC60

BYD Sealion 7

Autocar India

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Sell the Kia Seltos GTX+ Diesel and keep the Hyundai i20 N Line N8 MT as your second car alongside the BMW X3 20d, with the Maruti Suzuki Jimny for occasional use. Once the X3 comes in, it covers your big-car and highway needs, so the Seltos overlaps the most. Also, a diesel used mainly for short city trips can be a hassle, because modern diesels have a filter in the exhaust that requires regular high-speed runs to keep clean. For daily commutes, the i20 is the easiest to live with: it is smaller, easier to park, light to steer, and feels quick enough in gaps. The Jimny is charming and tough, but for pure city use it rides a bit bouncy, leans in turns, and needs more effort with the manual in traffic. It shines only if you often drive on broken roads or go on trails and remains a good recreational SUV for the weekends.

BMW X3