Skip advert
Advertisement

Used BMW X3 vs New Honda CR-V

Crossovers: Which rugged family car is a better buy, the BMW X3 or the Honda CR-V?

There aren’t many areas where Honda and BMW’s product ranges overlap, but this new vs used battle is one of them. For the price of the former’s top-spec CR-V auto, you could also buy a used X3 in popular M Sport trim with the company’s fabulous 2.0-litre diesel and eight-speed automatic box.

Advertisement - Article continues below

• Best 4x4s and SUVs

As with most BMWs, the X3 delivers excellent performance, with 187bhp to play with, an xDrive four-wheel-drive transmission for extra traction in slippery conditions, and a smooth auto gearbox that offers effortless cruising ability.

In addition to all this, because it’s based on the manufacturer’s 3 Series saloon the X3 is also great to drive. You can throw it into bends with surprising aggression and the car clings on. Optional adaptive dampers cut down on body roll in Sport mode, while the chassis clearly telegraphs exactly what’s going on between the tyres and the road.

It’s refined, too. Drop those dampers into Comfort mode and the high-riding SUV settles down to a relaxed cruise, soaking up bumps nicely even on the standard 18-inch M Sport alloys thanks to the long-travel suspension. The four-cylinder turbodiesel is quiet and the cabin comfortable – and with a 550-litre boot, plus a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, there’s plenty of practicality on offer.

However, the Honda is ahead when it comes to usability. A cavernous 589-litre boot means it’ll cope with whatever a family can throw at it, and in EX spec it’s also well equipped. Sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB, parking sensors, a reversing camera, heated leather seats and cruise control all come as standard.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

X3

2021 BMW

X3

74,218 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,181
View X3
X3

2020 BMW

X3

49,825 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £23,199
View X3
X3

2021 BMW

X3

26,260 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £26,495
View X3
X3

2024 BMW

X3

37,496 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £31,600
View X3

Best crossovers on the market

But BMW’s iDrive multimedia system is much easier to navigate than Honda’s laggy, low-resolution touchscreen, and although there’s plenty of kit, the CR-V’s interior layout and material quality aren’t up to scratch compared to the X3’s slick, leather-lined cabin.

Also, a lot of soft-touch plastics give BMW’s marginally cheaper used SUV more of a premium feel compared to the Honda, while the more tactile surfaces contribute towards its relaxing air.

The CR-V’s nine-speed transmission isn’t quite as slick as BMW’s automatic, either, and the gearshifts aren’t as fast. But they are smooth, and with short ratios it means the downsized 158bhp 1.6-litre pulls harder than its capacity suggests.

It’s still no match for the BMW, though, as the X3’s mix of off-roader looks, a luxurious interior, superior efficiency, practicality and – if you buy used – fair price is a winning combination here.

• Best new car deals

Specifications

Model:BMW X3 xdrive20d M sport
Price:from £35,000
Engine:2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 187bhp 
0-62mph:8.1 seconds 
Economy/CO2:54.3mpg/136g/km 
Road tax:£130 
   
Model:Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX auto
Price:£35,620 
Engine:1.6-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 158bhp 
0-62mph:10.2 seconds
Economy/CO2:53.3mpg/139g/km 
Road tax:£130 

Used vs new

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

BMW X3

BMW X3

RRP £50,275Avg. savings £2,770 off RRP*Used from £16,853
BMW X4

BMW X4

RRP £49,455Avg. savings £5,992 off RRP*Used from £20,495
Mercedes GLC

Mercedes GLC

RRP £54,450Used from £50,805
Mercedes GLE

Mercedes GLE

RRP £61,475Used from £26,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: fast charging makes journeys less heated
Cupra Tavascan long termer second report - header

Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: fast charging makes journeys less heated

Long-term tests
3 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: electric SUV has an identity crisis
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS - header

Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: electric SUV has an identity crisis

Long-term tests
2 Jul 2025
Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: composed and impressively efficient
Polestar 4 Dual Motor long termer - header

Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: composed and impressively efficient

Long-term tests
1 Jul 2025

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025