Prettier, bigger and much better X3

New styling means the X3 has moved much closer to its bigger X5 sibling.

Look, to be honest, it's still not going to move the earth in the beauty stakes, but it is a much handsomer beast than it was.

Not only is it more masculine and aggressive, but its lines are neater, cleaner and more cohesive so it also looks slicker and quicker and much more party animal than rich mum's taxi.

No more blob

Like a shapely swimwear model, one of the new X3's most striking features is its shapely derriere which is a vast improvement on the rather flabby blob it was previously.

With its more prominent grille, sharply slashed lines that run from the front wheel arches right around the tail end, cool sporty alloys, and longer, higher, wider stanch, the X3 has moved much closer to its bigger X5 sibling.

The xDrive 35i has an 8-speed auto box while the 2-litre diesel offers a choice between the same auto shift or a six-speed manual.

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Talking about the X5, I reckon BMW might have started a family feud here between younger X3 brother and bigger X5 boet, with other muggers such as Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Land Rover Freelander and even the entry level VW Touareg, also lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.

Even more sure-footed

However, all of them will have to really get their act together to pose a serious threat to the X3 because it has now substantially upped the stakes in this segment of the market.

The top-heavy, family-moving previous X3 models were amazingly sure-footed, even at fairly high speeds on the tar and at a fair lick on gravel, but the new incarnation is even better.

Look, no more blob.

I drove two models - the turbo-diesel xDrive 20d and the six-cylinder petrol-burning xDrive 35i - along some really fast and beautiful motorways and on stretches of sand and gravel in Mpumalanga and gave it a gold star for overall dynamics.

In the process of upgrading the X3 the white coats at BMW not only came up with a much improved overall appearance, but they clearly spent some quality time on tweaking the suspension to match its slightly wider track.

Good on gravel

This, coupled with the cling of xDrive all-wheel drive, Dynamic Stability Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X) and sharpened steering gives the X3 the kind of handling abilities that will put many a four-door saloon and a few hatchbacks to shame.

The new X3 BMW has a deep (and expensive!) shopping basket of optional extras.

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Like all pretend off-roaders the X3 is not really cut out for serious bush bashing. It's settings are just too sporty for that and its ride height is much to low to avoid ugly under-carriage pain, but you can drive it with the utmost confidence at a good lick over gravel without white-knuckle moments.

You'll need deep pockets for all the extras

The new models ride on a completely new platform and new suspension and also offer new transmission choices. The xDrive 35i has an 8-speed auto box while the 2-litre diesel offers a choice between the same auto shift or a six-speed manual.

The lines are much sleeker and quite frankly, the X3 does virtually as well as its X5 big boet.

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But the engines are the same two popular versions also used to power other Beemer models - the 135kW/380Nm four cylinder turbo-diesel and the six cylinder petrol powerhouse that blasts out 225kW and 400Nm.

As is the case with the two other fancy German snob brands, the new X3 BMW has a deep (and expensive!) shopping basket of optional extras to choose from including a reversing camera, head-up screen display, fancy audio kit with all the options to please electronics addicts, satnav, colour choices, interior finish combinations plus a few more.

Keeping up with the big fella

The well-appointed living area - with options... lots of them.

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But that is if you can stretch the R463 000 you are coughing for the standard diesel and the R598 000 which the basic Big Six petrol job will set you back.

I haven't driven the larger, heavier and more imposing X5 for a while, but given the larger cabin, extra equipment, pretty looks and excellent dynamics of the new X3 I can see no reason why one would want to lay out extra cash for the bigger model when the X3 will do everything as well, if not better, than the big fella.

X3 Facts & Figures.

BMW X3 Pricelist.

BMW X3 car review - Top Gear - BBC

First Look: 2011 BMW X3

All-New BMW X3 2011 Driving + interior/exterior in HD