Is There a BMW X3 Rear Wheel Drive?

October 05, 2018
2019 BMW X3 changes | Rear wheel drive vs. all wheel drive | Braman BMW West Palm Beach, Florida

The BMW X3 has proved incredibly popular. There’s one question that’s often asked: will there ever be a rear wheel drive model? One of the 2019 BMW X3 changes is a rear wheel drive option: meet the BMW X3 sDrive30i.

What’s the difference between rear wheel drive vs. all wheel drive? That’s a good question, and there are unique answers to driving in Florida.

Rear Wheel Drive vs. All Wheel Drive

Rear wheel drive means that all of the power the engine produces is sent to the two rear wheels, allowing the front wheels to focus exclusively on steering. BMW sDrive is the powerful rear wheel drive system developed for BMW cars and crossovers. BMW xDrive is the all wheel drive system, and it sends power to all four wheels.

Are There Advantages to Rear Wheel Drive?

Yes. Rear wheel drive lends a vehicle an agile and powerful feel. There’s a punch to acceleration, particularly off turns. It’s strong on road holding and handling corners. Turning at speed feels more natural and thus enable drivers to handle a car more nimbly. Rear wheel drive vehicles are also more fuel efficient.

Are There Advantages to All Wheel Drive?

All wheel drive has remarkable traction. This helps you maintain control in bad weather. All wheel drive is also optimal for rough terrain and uneven roads. This is because when you lose traction on one tire, you’ve still got the other three churning away.

Which Should I Choose?

The easiest way to answer this is to take each version for a test drive. You’ll quickly notice the differences and which feels better to you. They’re both very strong choices, and your needs and driving style will help you make the right choice.

The 2019 BMW X3 changes mean that you have two choices in how you like to drive. Both versions are very capable. They’re strong across the board. This choice comes down to a matter of where you want the BMW X3 to really excel. The rear wheel drive 2019 BMW sDrive 30i should come in as somewhat more affordable than its all wheel drive cousin, so get that test drive in while there’s still time.

Category: BMW X Series SUV