Alpina XD3 2020: Road test review

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Exclusivity, impressive ride comfort, torquey twin-turbo diesel engine, sharp steering, well equipped.

Price and positioning

Alpina takes base BMW models and tunes them at its facility in Buchloe, Bavaria. Most tuning arms like Mercedes-AMG focus on performance above all else. Alpina is different. Yes, the vehicles are modified to enhance performance, but Alpina also focuses on ride quality. The models are less high-performance sportscars and more high-performance grand tourers. Where the ballistic X3 M is all about raw performance, Alpina takes a softer approach with the XD3.

The XD3 is based on the BMW X3 xDrive 30d which retails for $88,900 before on-road costs. The XD3 costs $109,900 but adds a beefier engine, revised suspension setup and luxuries like heated seats and steering wheel that are optional on the BMW.

The Alpina aesthetic is subtle so don’t expect too many visual flourishes. The XD3 is differentiated from its donor car by Alpina badging, wheels and rear valance. Our test car was fitted with $4449 Alpina Classic 22-inch wheels (up from the standard 20-inch hoops) and a $2690 panoramic glass sunroof, bringing the price to $117,039 before on-road costs.

Rivals include Audi’s diesel SQ5 performance SUV, priced from $104,900 and Jaguar’s F-Pace 30d S at $105,523.

Safety first

The XD3 is covered under the X3’s five-star ANCAP crash safety rating from 2018. The Alpina’s adaptive cruise control with braking maintained the speed of the vehicle ahead and stopped when required, much like it did in the X3 M. The lane-keeping aid’s automatic steering tends to get too close to one line then attempts to centre itself, only to then get too close to the other line.

The inside story

There are a few giveaways that you’re not in a typical BMW, like the individual build plate on the console, ‘Alpina’ blue digital instrument cluster graphics, Alpina badging and steering wheel, but it could do with more Alpina touches to set it apart. The brand-specific green and blue stitching on the steering wheel would look great on the seats, for example. As it is it just looks like a mid-grade BMW X3.

Up front the sports seats are super supportive but not as firm as the X3 M seats. There’s that Alpina focus on comfort. The steering wheel is thinner than typically chunky BMW performance models and it’s a welcome addition. BMW’s infotainment system with central control dial is well executed, as is the overall layout of the dash.

The X3 is a sizeable SUV these days so there’s plenty of space for second-row occupants, as well as knee-level air vents and ample door storage.

Open the tailgate with a kick motion under the rear bumper and it reveals a cavernous boot capable of swallowing 550 litres, or 1600 litres with the rear seats folded. The XD3 has no spare wheel, making do with a tyre repair kit instead.

On the road

The market for high-performance diesel cars is small in Australia, particularly compared with Europe. But they offer performance characteristics that differ greatly from a petrol-powered model.

Alpina has tweaked the 3.0-litre diesel engine from the X3 xDrive 30d, adding a second turbocharger and squeezing an extra 50kW and 80Nm for an output of 245kW/700Nm. Left-hand-drive markets get quad turbochargers and even more power.

From a standing start, the XD3 doesn’t feel as brutally fast as the X3 M, but it’s still very quick. Zero to 100kmh is dispatched in 4.9 seconds – 0.8 seconds slower than the X3 M. The huge well of torque from 1750rpm makes for enthusiastic acceleration, prompting the nose of the car to lift slightly on take-off. The diesel engine has a pleasant note from behind the wheel too.

The torque and power delivery is smooth and there’s plenty of grunt for overtaking. The eight-speed gearbox shifts gears effortlessly, which is typical of BMW transmissions. The steering is alert, offering quick responses to inputs in Comfort mode, but it firms up artificially in the various Sport modes. 

For a 2155-kilogram diesel SUV, the XD3 shines on dynamically challenging roads. It stays flat through corners – more so than the X3 M – and hugs corners like a car half its size. It got a little tail-happy on an unsealed section of road but maintained traction on other loose surfaces.

What sets the XD3 apart from other performance SUVs is its supple ride. The suspension and damping tune that the wizards at Alpina developed makes for a comfortable cruiser that glides over potholes and speed bumps, but with the dynamic prowess of a full-bore performance model. Aside from some engine noise, Alpina has done an admirable job of insulating the interior.

Our week of mixed driving ended with a fuel use figure of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres, not far off Alpina’s 6.4L/100km claim.

The verdict

The MY-19 evolution of Mazda6 takes this well-respected mid-size model to the next level in terms of quality and refinement, while a new 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, available in the GT and Atenza versions, adds a good dose of strong, flexible performance for everyday drive ease and enjoyment.

These comments are from RACV’s experienced team of vehicle testers.