Introduction
What Car? says...
The BMW iX3 electric SUV marked a change of direction for the German brand – at least when it came to building cars that run on batteries.
What do we mean by that? Well, when the iX3 first showed up, BMW’s only previous EV (electric vehicle) was the much smaller i3 hatchback, which was built from the ground up to run on electricity.
Perhaps more pertinently if you're thinking of buying one, the BMW iX3 has a long range, the ability to charge up quickly and, despite its premium credentials, a relatively tempting price tag.
How does the iX3 compare with some of the best electric SUVs available – notably the Audi E-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC? And is it a better buy than lower-riding alternatives, such as the Tesla Model 3? This review will tell you everything you need to know.
When you’ve decided which make and model you do want to buy, make sure you find the best price available by using our free What Car? New Car Buying Service. It could save you thousands of pounds, and features plenty of new electric car deals.
FAQs
The iX3 didn’t feature in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey, but BMW finished a respectable 13th out of 30 in the manufacturers table, ahead of Tesla (15th), Audi (18th), Jaguar (21st) and Mercedes (joint 22nd). In fact, the only premium brand to beat it was Lexus, which came first. Read more here
The iX3 has an official range of 285 miles, bettering the 249-mile maximum of the Audi E-tron and the 252 miles of the Mercedes EQC. In our 2022 summer range test, the iX3 went 253 miles on a single charge in real-world driving conditions, while in our 2021 winter range test it managed 212 miles. Read more here
All iX3s come with a 282bhp electric motor and an 80kWh battery that can be charged from 0-80% capacity in as little as 34 minutes. However, we’d recommend upgrading from M Sport trim to M Sport Pro, because this brings lots of desirable extras, including keyless entry, adjustable front seat lumbar support and a head-up display. Read more here
The iX3’s infotainment system is packed with features and very user-friendly, with logical menus and sharp graphics. You can control it using the 10.25in touchscreen, physical controls, gestures or voice commands. Read more here
In a drag race, the iX3 would be trounced by the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model Y, but its 0-62mph time of 6.8sec still makes it faster than most large SUVs. For example, the 2.0-litre diesel version of the regular X3 takes 7.9sec. Read more here
The iX3 has a slightly smaller boot than the conventionally powered X3, but you still get 510 litres of space – enough for eight carry-on suitcases. In addition, the rear seats fold down in a handy 40/20/40 split, and there’s an underfloor space big enough for your charging cables. Read more here
| RRP price range | £65,865 - £65,865 |
|---|---|
| Number of trims (see all) | 1 |
| Number of engines (see all) | 1 |
| Available fuel types (which is best for you?) | electric |
| Available doors options | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / No mileage cap |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £126 / £132 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £251 / £263 |
| Available colours |
