2021 BMW X3 vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint added to its appeal, although the taillight shape and the body-colored C-pillar were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos. Despite the luxurious touches, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 BMW X3, introduced in its third generation in 2018, received updates in 2020, including a plug-in hybrid model and M performance variants. This generation refined the X3's formula, giving it the exterior and interior presence of larger BMW models. The X3's exterior resembled a downsized X5, while the interior maintained BMW's cold, mechanical styling. Though not as aesthetically pleasing as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the X3's dash was more functional. The 2021 X3 came in several trims: sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid, each offering a range of standard and optional features to enhance luxury and convenience.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust acceleration and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. It boasted a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, although the large 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling, as well as interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered a range of powertrains. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid produced 288 horsepower and had a 17-mile electric-only range, with recharging times of 3.5 hours using a 240-volt charger or nearly 12 hours with a 120-volt outlet. The M40i trim boasted a 382-horsepower twin-turbo inline-six engine, providing robust acceleration and responsive cornering. For those seeking even more performance, the X3 M offered 473 horsepower, making it a compelling choice for speed enthusiasts who also needed space for the family.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated, and the third-row bench offered impressive legroom, making it comfortable for adults on long trips. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX provided even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2021 BMW X3 provided up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 28.7 cubic feet with the seats in use, making it one of the most spacious options in the small luxury SUV segment. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The X3 offered ample headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers, with a commanding driving position for the driver. The interior featured real buttons and dials to complement the main touchscreen, making it user-friendly for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it sometimes lagged in response. Other highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which made towing easier by autonomously steering the trailer in the correct direction.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running the iDrive infotainment system, which was user-friendly and offered both touch and dial controls. Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto was optional. Other available features included wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system, and gesture control for basic functions. The combination of touch and dial controls made the system versatile and easy to use.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in every crash test conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the Expedition at the time of the review.

The 2021 BMW X3 also came standard with a range of advanced driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.