BMW X3 vs VOLVO XC60

A week or so ago, I had the pleasure of being invited to participate in a day in two of the new, high end SUV's which have recently been added to the market. The BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60.

Both vehicles really, really gave me a buzz. The X3 was elegantly BMW, as you can see from the photos, especially in white and the XC60 looked like a racing SUV and I particularly enjoyed driving it because of this - even if it was a diesel!

Both vehicles were 2 litre, the BMW was petrol and both had almost identical power (177KW in the XC60, 185KW in the X3) but the Volvo won this battle with Torque - 500Nm vs 350Nm in the X3

From side on, you really get a feel for how good these vehicles look and, as opposed to older SUV's, the feeling you get inside them is changing as well. No longer do you feel like you are in a lumbering, slow, unresponsive whale, they're now poised, quick to speed and zippy around corners, whilst using minimal fuel to give you the joy of participating.

The XC60, quite simply, blew my mind in ever aspect. Power, Handling, Comfort, Interior styling, Exterior styling, Space, Comfort - everything was fantastic. An easy car to recommend to anyone - who has the money!

Same for the X3, although, it surprisingly wasn't the one I would've picked (even being a self proclaimed BMW fan) the X3 lacked in some areas, just enough, to give the XC60 the upper hand and the win and, in my opinion, the pin to my bank account (hypothetically)

Overall, was a great day, finished off with a wonderful lunch in Wanganui.. and some windy corners to get us home!