Southern California BMW Dealers take note; imagine an elevated station wagon or a 5 passenger sports car, any-old-way it's more enjoyable than an almost 2 ton luxury SUV has any right to be.

BMW's 2nd generation X3 has a larger front grille, double rounded beams and a onyx colored plastic bumper that is strong and protective without being weighty.

This BMW's back door is large but the split tail lights stop it from looking like a delivery van. A cool spoiler extends the slightly sloped roofline to give it a "sport wagon" look.

The BMW X3 is available only in 6-speed automatic with manual/sequential override but that's just fine; the tranney's smooth kick down delivers phat muscular acceleration without excessive rev.