BMW X3 vs Porsche Macan: petrol M50 or electric Macan
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
BMW · 2024–present
X3 G45
- Power
- 293 kW398 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- -
- Top speed
- -
- Kerb mass
- 2,055 kg
Porsche · 2024–present
Macan II Electric
- Power
- 300 kW408 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 5.2 s
- Top speed
- 220 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 2,330 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: X3 G45 1 Macan II Electric 0
- City Too close to call Length: 4,755 mm vs 4,784 mm
- Performance X3 G45 Power per tonne: 143 kW/t vs 129 kW/t
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The X3 is the more flexible buy. It is the only one of the two still sold new with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drive, and the M50 reaches 100 km/h faster than the Macan 4 Electric. It also has a large, well-documented load space.
The Macan is the stronger performance car if you can charge at home. Every version has at least 563 Nm, the Turbo has up to 470 kW, and the latest GTS combines a 100 kWh battery with up to 586 km of WLTP range and 270 kW charging. It also scored higher than the X3 in Euro NCAP's adult and child tests.
- Felix Hartmann
For a decade the Porsche Macan and the BMW X3 were direct rivals with petrol and diesel engines. That changed in 2024. Porsche revealed the second-generation Macan on 25 January 2024 as an electric car on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) it shares with the Audi Q6 e-tron. BMW unveiled the fourth-generation X3 (G45) on 19 June 2024 with mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines and a plug-in hybrid. The electric iX3 is a separate model on BMW's Neue Klasse platform.
In short: anyone who wants a combustion engine in a new car of this pair now buys the X3, with the 3.0-litre M50 at the top. The Macan offers more power and torque in every electric version but needs a charging routine. Both are in our catalogue: BMW X3 and Porsche Macan.
BMW X3 vs Porsche Macan: power, range and size
Straight-six against two electric motors
The X3 M50 xDrive uses BMW's 3.0-litre B58 straight-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid. In US form the engine makes 280 kW and the system 293 kW (398 PS) with 580 Nm, and the M50 reaches 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and 250 km/h. The European M50 is rated at 280 kW. The Macan 4 Electric has two motors with 285–300 kW (387–408 PS) and 650 Nm, and reaches 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds with a 220 km/h top speed. So the Porsche has more torque, but the BMW is quicker in this pairing and faster at the top.
The rest of each range
Below the M50, the X3 20 xDrive has 153 kW system output and needs 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h; the 20d xDrive diesel has 145 kW (197 PS) and 400 Nm and needs 7.7 seconds. The rear-wheel-drive base Macan Electric has 250–264 kW (340–359 PS), 563 Nm and 5.7 seconds. The Macan 4S Electric offers 330–379 kW and 820 Nm with 4.1 seconds, and the Macan Turbo Electric 430–470 kW (585–639 PS), 1,130 Nm, 3.3 seconds and 260 km/h. The X3 has nothing in that league.
- X3 20 xDrive: 153 kW, 7.8 s
- X3 30e xDrive: 220 kW, 6.2 s, up to 90 km electric
- X3 M50 xDrive: 280–293 kW, 4.6 s
- Macan Electric: 250–264 kW, 5.7 s
- Macan Turbo Electric: 430–470 kW, 3.3 s
Plug-in hybrid against full electric
The X3 30e xDrive combines the 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 135 kW motor for 220 kW and 450 Nm. Its 19.7 kWh of usable battery energy is enough for up to 90 km on the WLTP cycle. The Macan is battery-electric only. Porsche quotes combined WLTP consumption of 19.4–16.7 kWh/100 km for the base Macan. The Macan GTS, launched on 21 October 2025, has a 100 kWh battery, charges from 10 to 80% in 21 minutes at up to 270 kW and covers up to 586 km on the WLTP cycle.
Size, boot and towing
The X3 is 4,755 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall on a 2,865 mm wheelbase. The load space reaches up to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded, or 1,600 litres for the 30e. Porsche has raised the electric Macan's maximum towing capacity to 2,500 kg.
Euro NCAP
Both have five stars. The Macan 4 Electric was tested in 2024 and scored 90% for adult occupants, 90% for children, 83% for vulnerable road users and 78% for safety assist. The X3 20 xDrive scored 88%, 84%, 77% and 80% in 2025.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | X3 G45 | Macan II Electric |
|---|---|---|
| PI | A · 632 | B · 563 |
| Power | 61 | 58 |
| Grip | 58 | 46 |
| Handling | 43 | 39 |
| Top speed | 63 | 46 |
| Launch | 70 | 62 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 X3 G45X3 G45 · M50 xDrive · petrol · 293 kW (398 PS) 12.95 sat 171 km/h
- 2 Macan II ElectricMacan II Electric · 4 Electric · 300 kW (408 PS) 13.68 sat 159 km/h · +0.73 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| X3 G45 | Macan II Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,755 mm187.2 in | 4,784 mm188.3 in † +29 mm +1.1 in +0.6% |
| Width | 1,920 mm75.6 in | 1,938 mm76.3 in † +18 mm +0.7 in +0.9% |
| Height | 1,660 mm65.4 in | 1,623 mm63.9 in † −37 mm −1.5 in −2.2% |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm112.8 in | 2,893 mm113.9 in † +28 mm +1.1 in +1.0% |
| Kerb weight | 2,055 kg4,531 lb | 2,330 kg5,137 lb +275 kg +606 lb +13.4% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too wide | Too wide |
Difference vs X3 G45 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| BMW X3 | Porsche Macan | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | X3 G45 · M50 xDrive · petrol · 293 kW (398 PS) | Macan II Electric · 4 Electric · 300 kW (408 PS) |
| Production years | 2024–present | 2024–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 293 kW (398 PS) 393 hp | 300 kW (408 PS) 402 hp |
| Power, all versions | 105–293 kW (143–398 PS) 141–393 hp | 177–470 kW (241–639 PS) 237–630 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | No data | 650 Nm 479 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | No data | 5.2 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | No data | 220 km/h 137 mph |
| Power per tonne | 143 kW/t 173 hp/ton calculated Better | 129 kW/t 157 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 2,998 cc · 6 cyl 3.0 l | No data |
| Gearbox | No data | single-speed |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm 187.2 in | 4,784 mm 188.3 in † |
| Width | 1,920 mm 75.6 in | 1,938 mm 76.3 in † |
| Height | 1,660 mm 65.4 in | 1,623 mm 63.9 in † |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm 112.8 in | 2,893 mm 113.9 in † |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,055 kg 4,531 lb Better | 2,330 kg 5,137 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | No data | 540 l 19.1 cu ft † |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 7.9 l/100 km 29.8 mpg US | No data |
| CO₂ | 311 g/km | No data |
| Fuel cost per year | €2,070/year estimated | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2024) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (5): Production years, Body, Class, Country, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Porsche Macan has more power: 300 kW (408 PS) against 293 kW (398 PS) for BMW X3. Porsche Macan is 29 mm longer than BMW X3 (4,784 mm vs 4,755 mm). BMW X3 is lighter by 275 kg (2,055 kg vs 2,330 kg). BMW X3 is the older design (from 2003); Porsche Macan arrived in 2013. On the catalog figures, the BMW X3 is the pick for performance. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the BMW X3 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the BMW X3 if you drive long distances without reliable charging, want a diesel or a plug-in hybrid, or prefer a straight-six petrol engine in the M50.
Choose the Porsche Macan if you can charge at home or at work, want electric performance from 250 to 470 kW, or need a 2,500 kg towing capacity in an electric SUV.
The first Macan also meets a British rival in Range Rover Velar vs Porsche Macan, and the X3 a German one in BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Frequently asked questions
Is the new Porsche Macan only electric?
Yes. The second-generation Macan revealed on 25 January 2024 is battery-electric only, on the PPE platform shared with the Audi Q6 e-tron. The earlier petrol Macan was built in Leipzig from 2014.
Which is faster, the X3 M50 or the Macan 4?
The X3 M50: 4.6 seconds to 100 km/h, against 5.2 seconds for the Macan 4 Electric. The Macan 4S needs 4.1 seconds and the Macan Turbo 3.3 seconds.
Is there an electric BMW X3?
Not in the G45 generation. BMW's electric counterpart is the iX3, a separate model on the Neue Klasse platform.
How far can the X3 plug-in hybrid drive on electricity?
Up to 90 km on the WLTP cycle, using 19.7 kWh of usable battery energy.
What is the electric range of the Macan?
Porsche quotes up to 586 km (WLTP) for the Macan GTS with its 100 kWh battery, and consumption of 19.4–16.7 kWh/100 km for the base Macan.