Black on beige. It sounds simple, but on a 2018 BMW X3 xDrive20d it becomes the kind of contrast that makes a car feel considered rather than configured. The deep black body commands the road quietly, and the moment you open a door that cream leather interior does the rest.

The X3 G01 sits in that rare space between practical SUV and genuine driver's car. xDrive keeps all four wheels honest across Melbourne's mix of wet freeway and winding outer-suburb back roads, while the Steptronic 8-speed works away in the background so smoothly you'd forget there's a gearbox at all. The 2.0-litre diesel pulls cleanly from low revs -- on a long freeway run it simply eats distance.

Inside, the beige leather cabin feels generous without being ostentatious. The panoramic sunroof floods the space with light on those clear Melbourne mornings, and the driving position -- that classic BMW elevated-but-engaged stance -- means you see the road while still feeling it. Five adults fit comfortably, and the boot swallows a realistic amount of weekend.

Compliance dated April 2018, with 104,000 kilometres on the clock. Diesel engines are built for these kinds of numbers -- the xDrive20d variant has a strong reputation for longevity when serviced, and this one presents well inside and out.

At $23,800 you're getting into the xDrive20d generation that BMW enthusiasts consider the sweet spot: full G01 platform, the refined Steptronic 8-speed, and xDrive AWD before prices went north. For a black X3 with beige leather and a moonroof, this is sharp money.

Nunawading is not exactly the destination you'd choose for a Sunday drive -- but somehow, every time you pull back into the driveway in this thing, it feels like the right place to arrive.

All prices displayed exclude government charges. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, MM Carz recommends you confirm with one of our consultants to confirm specific specifications/features about the car. Please also note our vehicles may not always be on display, as they may be in for detailing--please contact us in advance to confirm availability before visiting our showroom.