Description: Near-Luxury Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $36,800
Invoice Price Range: $33,670
Where built: Austria

This compact-class SUV goes by the alphanumeric tag of X3. Think of it as a raucous sports car with a wagon's boxy utility bay. A forceful in-line six-cylinder engine fits in front of the four-door passenger compartment that comprises two rows of seats for five riders and the cargo bay accessible through a roof-hinged tailgate.

X3 stocks the xDrive electronically controlled AWD mechanism. Off pavement, X3 adds another device called Hill Descent Control (HDC) to keep all wheels firmly planted on a steep slope. For power, BMW puts a 3.0-liter engine in X3 3.0i with 225 hp through a sporty ZF six-speed manual or five-speed Steptronic automatic shifter. X3's cabin is impressive in design and content with standard features in 2006 including an onboard computer.

Packages load additional gear, such as the premium package with Panoramic Roof or sport package with body color on side skirts and bumpers.