BMW X3 review

All versions have all-wheel drive and an eight-speed transmission, and either 48V mild hybrid or the PHEV 30e system.

The basic spec is called xLine, which implies a 4x4 tuftiness but that's not evident. Anyway, it's decently equipped and starts at £48,375 for the 20, and an extra £1,400 for the torquey tow-friendly 20d.

The PHEV 30e is almost £9k over the 20. OK, it's got more power but you'd really need to have access to very cheap overnight electricity, or be a company car taxpayer, to justify it.

For all those powertrains you can upspec to M Sport for about £2,000, and we guess almost everybody in the UK will. For some reason we love big wheels and sporty bumpers on our family SUVs.

The M50 takes you for £66,980, and its spec as well as its power is a commensurate step up. Examples include adaptive LED headlights, 20in wheels and an Alcantara-clad interior.

What about options?

The extras are bundled into packs, as tends to be industry standard these days. So for instance you would add adaptive LED headlights, a Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, electric lumbar support, heated front and rear seats and a storage system for £1,350 as part of the Comfort Plus Pack.

On a personal lease from BMW, the basic 20 xDrive xLine is £703 a month over four years with £4,500 up front and a 10k mileage limit. On the same terms the M50 just tips over the £1,000 per month mark. 

Which should I go for?

Well, we're yet to drive the PHEV 30e or the diesel 20d, so for now we'll have to recommend the entry-level petrol-powered 20. The hotter M50 is an impressive thing, but with a firm ride, a taste for unleaded and a £67k starting price, it probably won't be the family runabout that you're doubtless looking for.

We'd even avoid the M Sport trim with its bigger wheels and sporty suspension. Stick with the 20 in xLine spec and spend some of the extra cash on a fancy exterior colour like Fire Red (£875), a vegan leather interior (£725) and the Comfort Plus pack.