BMW X3 hybrid running costs, insurance, warranty & tax
As ever with plug-in hybrids, the BMW X3 makes the most sense for company-car owners, but runs its diesel counterpart close
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 3yrs/unlimited miles | 1yr/12,000 miles | From £1,355 / £2,669 |
Unlike rivals such as the Audi Q5, the X3 xDrive30e doesn't command a hefty premium over its purely fossil-fuelled relatives. But that's only half the story – the hybrid is the clear winner for company-car drivers.
The Benefit-in-Kind tax of 12% (at least until 2025), compared to the high-30s for either the 20d and 30d diesel engines, translates into significant savings for a 40% taxpayer. Both company and private buyers should enjoy reduced fuel bills if they mainly complete short journeys under electric power. Charging its 11.2kWh useable battery should cost around £3.30 at home on the standard 30p per kilowatt hour rate.
BMW X3 hybrid insurance group
The xLine and M Sport versions of X3 xDrive30e are in insurance group 38. That's the same group as the Lexus NX 450h+ and a few groups lower than the more powerful Volvo XC60 Recharge.
Warranty
BMW offers a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty on all its cars, so that applies here. However, as is often the case, there's a separate arrangement for the electrical element. The car's battery has a six-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard; provided you've kept up with recommended servicing, you can pay to extend the warranty afterwards.
Servicing
Service intervals vary with use, but BMW offers an easy-to-understand payment plan to spread the cost. A BMW service plan includes two services, fluid top-ups and complimentary car cleaning, and can be transferred to another BMW model if required.
Road tax
First-year road tax (VED) on alternative-fuel vehicles such as plug-in hybrids such as the X3 is free because of its low CO2 emissions. You pay a flat rate of £170 a year after that, plus a surcharge of £390 between years two to six of ownership because every plug-in hybrid X3 costs more than £40,000. Annual payments will be £560 during this period before dropping back to the flat rate fee thereafter.