C&D comparison, X3 over RDX and LR2
 

The July 2007 issue of Car and Driver includes a comparison test of the BMW X3, Acura RDX, and Land Rover LR2.

Their impressions of the LR2 matched my own: soggy handling and a bit slow (it's heavier than it looks)

They liked the power and handling of the RDX, but didn't think the turbo was suitable for off-roading and hated the ride quality

They gave the BMW the win because the ride has improved so much with the 2007 update, for the best ride/handling balance. Also like the six more than the Acura's turbo four, despite being not quite as quick.

Ooo finally someone tested the new X3. Was it a sport version or non-sport?

I don't have the magazine in front of me, but I think it was a Sport. Because they said something like, "Even though the ride in the Sport is okay, we still recommend the non-Sport."

I think the 0-60 was 7.0, half a sec behind the RDX.

Awesome! I can't wait for my copy to arrive in the mail!

actually, they tested one without the sport package. the pictures show the non-sport body work, and there's no m-badging on the steering wheel as there would be with the sport package.

I'm glad BMW finally realized magazines didn't like the sport package equipped test cars they were giving out. I'm happy this comparison used a non-sport X3.

yay....seems they were lucky and got a late production model w/o the transmission problem.