The new BMW iX3 arrives as a strategic weapon, not just another premium SUV with a plug. It is the first mass-market product of BMW’s Neue Klasse rethink, pitched directly at the wave of aggressively priced Chinese electric crossovers that have been reshaping expectations on value and tech. The question is whether German engineering, sharpened by cost pressure, can really stand its ground against rivals that built their business on undercutting everyone else.
On paper, the iX3 looks like BMW’s most serious electric effort yet, with a clean-sheet platform, faster charging and a cabin that finally feels designed around electrons rather than petrol. In practice, it has to balance traditional BMW virtues with the brutal price and feature competition coming from brands such as BYD and Xiaomi in China, while still convincing European buyers that it is worth more than a cut-price import.
Neue Klasse, new battlefield
BMW is treating the iX3 as a turning point, the first mainstream showcase of its Neue Klasse architecture and the car that must prove the company can build EVs at scale without losing its identity. The brand has been unusually open about how critical this model is, describing it as central to its future and positioning it as the template for a new generation of electric platforms and software. That ambition is visible in the way the iX3’s chassis, battery and electronics have been integrated to improve efficiency, refinement and driving feel compared with earlier efforts.
The stakes are highest in China, where BMW’s sales have been under pressure and where the iX3 faces a wall of local competitors. The company is counting on this SUV to help reverse flagging demand in a market where BMW is up against homegrown makers such as BYD and Xiaomi that are rolling out similarly capable EVs at competitive prices. In that context, the iX3 is less a niche premium product and more a test of whether a traditional German brand can adapt to a market where software, charging speed and price matter as much as badge prestige.
Performance, range and charging
From behind the wheel, the iX3 is intended to feel like a proper BMW first and an EV second, with performance figures that put it squarely in the heart of the family crossover segment. The dual-motor xDrive version can accelerate from zero to 62 m, which is 100 km, in 4.9 seconds, a figure that places it alongside the quicker variants of established rivals and shows that the brand has not abandoned its performance roots. That punch is delivered with the instant torque typical of electric powertrains, but BMW has worked to make the response progressive rather than neck-snapping, which should appeal to drivers stepping out of combustion SUVs who still want a familiar character.
Range and charging are just as important as acceleration in this class, and here the iX3 leans heavily on its new electrical architecture. Official range figures are competitive, but early drives suggest that real-world consumption does not always match the brochure, with some testers noting that the Real range falls short of the claim, especially at motorway speeds. On the upside, the car’s charging system has been praised for ultra-fast capability and long-distance usability, with one detailed assessment listing Ultra-fast charging, strong range and a focus on driving dynamics among its Pros, underlining that BMW has finally caught up with the best in the segment on the fundamentals that matter to EV buyers.
Design, cabin and tech
Visually, the iX3 marks a shift away from the heavy, polarising look of some earlier BMW EVs toward a cleaner, more aerodynamic shape. The exterior design has been refined to improve efficiency and reduce visual clutter, while still clearly signalling that this is a new-generation electric model rather than a converted combustion car. Along the side you will find alloy wheels that go up to 22-inches, pop out door handles and proper door mirrors, with no camera-based substitutes, details that give the car a modern stance without sacrificing everyday usability, as highlighted in one early walkaround that focused on the Along the side view.
Inside, the iX3 finally feels like an EV-first cabin rather than a retrofitted ICE interior, with a sweeping Panoramic Display and a minimalist dashboard that still retains physical controls where they matter. The infotainment system has been singled out for its responsiveness and clarity, with one detailed breakdown of the car’s best features noting that the 2026 BMW iX3 introduces smart tech and EV-first design, and that the Panoramic Display is one of the standout elements that make it feel different in the best way. That same overview points out that, unlike the sometimes laggy launches of earlier systems, the new software is quick and intuitive, a point underscored by the praise for the Panoramic Display and the way it integrates navigation, media and vehicle settings.
Driving experience and dynamics
On the road, the iX3 has been described as the most convincing electric BMW yet, with a driving experience that feels closer to the brand’s traditional sweet spot. One in-depth video drive goes as far as to call it BMW’s best electric car ever and its most important EV, emphasising that this is a ground-up rethink of how the company makes electric cars, with a particular focus on steering feel and body control. That same review of the BMW highlights how the new platform allows the car to combine strong performance with a composed ride, even on larger wheels, which is crucial for a family SUV that will spend much of its life on imperfect roads.
Not every detail is perfect, and some of the feedback reflects the compromises inherent in building a heavy electric SUV. One assessment notes that the steering wheel controls can be fiddly and that the boot is only average for the class, while also pointing out that the car weighs around 2.3 tonnes, which inevitably affects agility. Those observations sit alongside more positive verdicts that describe the iX3 as feeling like a BMW, just a fabulously good one, with many of the annoyances of earlier EVs expunged and a reassuring blend of comfort and control, as summed up in a detailed What verdict that focuses on its all-round competence.
Price, Chinese rivals and the value question
The most striking aspect of the iX3 is not just its technology but its pricing strategy, which is clearly aimed at blunting the appeal of cheaper Chinese EVs. BMW has cut costs compared with its earlier electric SUVs, with one detailed review noting that the car is 20 per cent cheaper than its predecessor while still delivering a higher level of performance, efficiency and range. That same analysis captures the mood inside the company, describing how BMW is very excited about the iX3, to the point that the technical briefings feel almost evangelical, a sign of how much is riding on this car in markets where price sensitivity is rising.
There is also a clear effort to broaden the range with more accessible variants, including a cheaper rear-wheel-drive version with a smaller battery that is expected to start at around €60,000. That lower entry point is designed to pull in buyers who might otherwise be tempted by domestic brands in China or by value-focused imports in Europe, and it reflects a recognition that premium badges alone are no longer enough. A detailed discussion of the model line-up notes that there will be a cheaper version of the EX-3 with rear wheel drive and a smaller battery, and that this variant should start at around €60,000, a figure that still places it above many Chinese rivals but closer than previous BMW EVs.
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