2012 BMW X3

After a complete redesign last year, the 2012 BMW X3 soldiers on virtually unchanged. The new crossover is longer, wider, taller, and more luxurious than ever. Now in its second generation, the X3 has matured into a much more refined creature to tackle the urban jungle.

At the heart of the entry-level BMW X3 xDrive28i lies a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower -- the same number as the previous generation's top-level engine. Optionally, a turbocharged version of that inline six found in X3 xDrive35i models ups the ante to 300 horsepower. Yet, despite the increased size, weight, and power, BMW's new eight-speed automatic (replacing 2010's six-speed automatic and manual transmissions) helps the BMW X3 gain 2 mpg in the city and 1 to 2 mpg on the highway, depending on the engine.

As denoted with the "xDrive" nomenclature, all-wheel drive comes standard on all 2012 BMW X3 models. BMW has made great strides in keeping the new X3 competitive, as there weren't many competitors when it originally debuted. Now, there are plenty of alternatives to keep BMW on its feet, forcing the German automaker to switch production from Graz, Austria to Spartanburg, South Carolina into a larger factory closer closer to where most BMW X3s are sold.