The upcoming BMW iX3 is set to be an absolute game changer for BMW. The first modern “Neue Klasse” to hit production, a top-level car normal people can afford, and it’s packed with tech too.
BMW’s next-gen EV is set to hit the road in 2026. However, according to some reports it has nearly sold out in Europe for 2026. US availability may be better, but equally it may be a little while before you can get behind the wheel of one. I was lucky enough to get hands-on with the vehicle a couple of times (though not lucky enough to have driven it yet). Here’s everything we know about it.
It may feel more like a gas car than an EV
As mentioned, I haven’t driven a BMW iX3 yet. So this is based on my conversations with a number of BMW employees who have. But apparently the iX3’s powertrain delivers the power a bit more sparingly than a traditional EV. Which, if you’ve ever driven an EV for a good length of time, you’ll understand is a positive.
Regular EVs, especially powerful ones, tend to make people a bit sick. The constant overly harsh acceleration, coupled with the overly harsh slowdown as the regen kicks in, tends to tick all of the car sickness boxed. I’ve gotten very unwell driving EVs, and I’m usually pretty immune to car sickness. People in the passenger seat are usually in for a worse time. If what I’ve heard about the iX3 is true, it will not have this problem.
It should have some degree of punch though. The launch model has a dual-motor system putting out 463 horsepower. BMW has not officially unveiled the M variant yet, but reports indicate that might push the power output up to 630 horsepower. Both of these numbers are pretty high for a small SUV, even if it does weigh over 5,000 pounds. As with the more powerful M, BMW may release an alternative “entry-level” model with less horsepower further down the line, but that will also come with an even lower price tag.
You have a very impressive range as well. 400 miles on a full charge is not the most you’ll find on the EV market, but it does beat the vast majority of current EVs. You’d need something with an obscenely large battery (like the electric Cadillac), or a rare exception like the Lucid Air Grand Touring to match or beat it. And those are both well north of six figures.
That kind of range at $60,000 is almost unheard of. There was a model from Fisker offering a similar range for a similar price, but not many people will recommend you purchase one of those. Mainly because Fisker is dead, and partially because the overall quality of those vehicles is part of what killed it.
Apparently you can charge BMW’s battery from 10-80% in just over 20 minutes. Which again, is pretty exceptional. Especially at this price point.
The infotainment and display is AI powered and next level
BMW’s new panoramic display is an absolute thing of beauty. It stretches the length of the dash, should have no issues with glare, and is highly customisable. In addition to that display, there’s a central panel that’s just shy of 18 inches diagonally. This includes an easy to use operating systems, and it’s also where you customize the aforementioned panoramic display. Said customization is as simple as dragging and dropping widgets into slots.
We have to mention BMW’s AI assistant, which also comes as standard with the iX3. BMW recently paired with Amazon, and that’s had two major outcomes. The first is the kind of integration that could lead to you controlling an Alexa-based smarthome from your car. In theory, you should be able to put the heat-on, order your lunch via Doordash, and open the garage door from the car with your voice on the way home.
The other major change is in the quality of BMW’s AI assistant. It’s something BMW has been working on for a while, but before the Amazon partnership it wasn’t exactly brilliant. It struggled with accents, and even in the controlled environment tests where I encountered it, the assistant seemed to get confused a lot. Not now though, now it’s absolutely exceptional. Access to Amazon’s vast amount of AI training data is exactly what BMW needed. I got hands on with BMW’s AI assistant at CES, and aside from refusing to encourage my degenerate gambling addiction it was perfect.
It’s surprisingly spacious
Compared to the average human being, I’m a fairly large fellow. However, surround me with a bunch of chaps who are 6’4 and 6’5, and I suddenly look like Napoleon. I had that exact experience with a few of these oversized freaks of nature at a BMW event last year. Why is this relevant? All of those strange beanpole like creatures managed to fit comfortably in the iX3. Those in the back found a comfortable amount of room for their overly long legs, and those in the front weren’t smashed up against the dashboard to accommodate this.
Beyond that you have 18.4 cubic feet of trunk space with the back seats up, and nearly 62 cubic feet when they’re down. Which is more than enough storage space for a daily driver. There is a frunk too, but as you may expect’s pretty small. At two cubic feet, it’s good for a toolkit, or some emergency clothing. The only EVs with practical frunks are pickup trucks, and those are being culled so a large funk might not be that much of a key feature.
The price is significant
BMW is pretty high-end, both in initial price and in terms of maintenance costs. EVs are also pretty expensive, historically. Which is why you may be shocked to hear that the iX3 starts at around $60,000. That’s Kia EV6 territory, it’s slightly more than the GT-Line trim and about $3,000 less than a GT.
Maintenance, another historic expense when it comes to BMWs, will also likely be reduced. EVs don’t need an oil change, there are fewer parts to go wrong, all you really have to worry about is a pretty pricey battery swap around ten years down the line. That may not be cheap (but may still be cheaper than standard maintenance on a similar ICE vehicle over the same time period). On the environmental side of things, it should also be pointed out that BMW does a fantastic job of recycling its batteries and this is something they continue to invest in.
Another thing to factor in is the “optional extras,” which is an area where a BMW has historically launched away from its retail price and into the financial equivalent of low-earth orbit. This is another area where the iX3 may buck the trend. That beautiful panoramic vision display, digital key plus, a power operated tailgate with “comfort access,” All-Wheel-Drive, electrically adjustable heated seats, and most importantly Driving Assistant Plus. This is the adaptive cruise control system that includes lane centering, which was part of a “Driving Assistant Package” on previous BMWs that would usually set you back a few grand.
There are optional extras, including an “M” package, handsfree driving, a better charging system, a panoramic roof, a 3D HUD, and a better sound system. So the upwards potential is there. But the basic model might be one of the most tricked out BMW has ever built.
