2018 BMW X3 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2018 BMW X3 is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 3L 6-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) / 25 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 28–30 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a BMW X3 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2017 BMW X3: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 30 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl turbo · 3L 6-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 30 combined / 26 urban / 35 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 25 combined / 22 city / 29 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 223 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2018 BMW X3 across 2 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 3L 6-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 23 to 25 mpg (US), or 28 to 30 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/29) | 223 | $3,300 |
| 3L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/27) | 241 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2018 BMW X3
Running Costs: 2018 BMW X3
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 BMW X3 at 30 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,212 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2018 BMW X3 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 BMW X3 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Structure (3), Electrical system (2), Air bags (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Structure — campaign 24V764000, reported 15 October 2024. Risk: Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Structure — campaign 24V534000, reported 17 July 2024. Risk: Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Air bags — campaign 21V521000, reported 8 July 2021. Risk: A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Electrical system — campaign 20V152000, reported 18 March 2020. Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of…
Showing the 4 most recent of 11 campaigns.
Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X3. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (22), Engine (16), Unspecified (12). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 2 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 85 complaints across the 17 BMW X3 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 BMW X3
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (2 recall campaigns · 22 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Body structure (3 recall campaigns · 9 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Engine (16 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Air bags (1 recall campaign) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the BMW X3 compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 30 mpg figure is 3 mpg better than that average. Its 223 g/km CO₂ figure is 30 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
BMW models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2018 BMW X3's 30 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average. Its 223 g/km CO₂ figure is 17 g/km lower than the 240 g/km BMW average.
Of the 17 BMW X3 model years we cover, the 2018 ranks 8th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (30 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every BMW X3 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2018 BMW X3
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 BMW X3 have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2018 BMW X3: 2L 4-cyl turbo, 3L 6-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2L 4-cyl turbo with a automatic (s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 BMW X3?
The most efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, or 25 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 28 to 30 mpg.
How much does the 2018 BMW X3 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2018 BMW X3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 BMW X3 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Structure (3), Electrical system (2), Air bags (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 BMW X3?
Among the 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (22 complaints), Engine (16 complaints), Unspecified (12 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the BMW X3's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.