2017 BMW X3 sDrive28i Takes Houston for a Ride with SAV Class

Take on the elements — the BMW #X3 combines world-class performance and efficiency. pic.twitter.com/jH3I6xRyR8

— BMW USA (@BMWUSA) January 30, 2017

Once beyond Gulf coastal plain grass and forest, travel around the Houston area can get a little hairy. We're talking remnants of forested land, with marshes, swamp and prairie bestrewn here and there. Then there's Lakes Houston, Conroe and Livingston and environs. Even Houston proper has its Buffalo, White Oak, Brays and Sims bayou spots. To that end, you'll need a vehicle defining both "sport" and "activity" to get you through the thick of it, and that's a 2017 BMW X3 sDrive28i SAV.

It all starts with a 2.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine, twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve control (Double-VANOS and Valvetronic) and high-precision direct injection making her rev with up to 240 horsepower to command the road. And the feel's as supple: electronic throttle control, smooth-operating eight-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission with Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC), Sport and Manual shift modes for eclectic handling and Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO mode all attest.

But safety's the order of the BMW day, too, with a front and rear Head Protection System (HPS), driver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment, front side-impact airbags and more to keep you secure from driveway to highway. And when that Gulf storm churns toward the coast, rain-sensing windshield wipers with adjustable speed and automatic headlight control help you maintain visual clarity. Having showed up to your destination at last, X3 sDrive28i's power tailgate lets you access your road swag quickly and with ease.

Come on in off the Southwest Freeway to our Momentum BMW showroom here in Houston, and we'll be happy to introduce you to the powerhouse that is BMW X3 sDrive28i, as well as other SUV models from the eponymous lineup available for test drive. We're looking forward to it!