Review - BMW iX3

Leading this charge is the iX3, an all-electric take on the fan-favourite BMW X3. 

As one of the company’s best-sellers, the iX3 gives buyers all the refinement and luxury on offer in the X3 platform, with a clever new electric drive system. The problem is, though, that its rivals have had quite the head-start when it comes to battery electric vehicles, so just how well does the iX3 catch up to its competitors? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $114,900

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BMW iX3 (M SPORT) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check BMW iX3 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The BMW iX3 is being brought to Australia in a single variant which is priced from $114,900. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the BMW iX3 Have?

The BMW iX3 comes riding on a set of 20-inch alloy wheels, and receives adaptive Matrix LED headlights, adaptive suspension, an M Sport styling package, powered boot lift, a panoramic sunroof, Vernasca leather upholstery, heads-up display, heated front seats, climate control, a surround view monitor, adaptive cruise control, front & rear parking sensors, ambient lighting, semi-autonomous parking, keyless entry & start, a Model 2 domestic charger and Model 3 public charging cable, five-year Chargefox membership, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and DAB+, which is paired with a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. 

Range Features: 

• 20-inch alloys 

• Adaptive Matrix LED headlights 

• Adaptive suspension 

• M Sport styling package 

• Powered boot lift 

• Digital driver’s display

• Panoramic sunroof 

• Vernasca leather upholstery 

• Heated front seats 

• Ambient lighting 

• Surround-view camera 

• Front and rear parking sensors 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Semi-autonomous parking 

• Keyless entry & start 

• 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Satellite navigation & DAB+ digital radio 

• Model 2 and 3 charging cables

• Five-year Chargefox membership

BMW iX3 Colours 

The BMW iX3 range is available in a range of colours, including M Carbon Black, Mineral White, Piemont Red, Sophisto Grey, Cashmere Silver and Phytonic Blue. 

The front grille’s surrounds and rear diffuser can also be optioned in BMW i Blue as a no-cost option. 

Interior colour options include Mocha, Oyster and Black upholstery, with a gloss black or aluminium Rhombicle Dark trim also available as a no-cost option, while wood trim accents remain a $500 extra. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

BMW’s X3 platform was already celebrated for its high levels of driving refinement, and we’re pleased to report that the addition of an all-electric drivetrain has done nothing but make it a more relaxed and comfortable performer on the road. 

The iX3 is powered by a single electric motor over the rear axle, effectively making it a rear-wheel-drive platform in BMW tradition. The e-motor throws up 210kW of power and 400Nm of torque, which is more than enough to get it up to speed in a brisk fashion, offering up instant acceleration while overtaking. 

If you’re new to the world of EVs, you’ll love the feeling of the instant acceleration from the electric motor, and just how easily it can be piloted in low-speed traffic. With a regenerative braking system, the iX3 can capture energy that is otherwise lost in braking, and can creep to a standstill in traffic while feeding this power back into the battery. 

Interestingly, the adaptive suspension can be used to stiffen up the iX3 when sport mode is engaged, which offers more responsive acceleration from the electric motor and holds the body flat through the corners. 

In reality, though, this adaptive suspension platform lends itself beautifully to more mundane daily driving, where it irons out irregularities on the road and makes the cabin significantly more comfortable than a fixed suspension system. 

This makes daily driving a simple, relaxed affair which, combined with the lightweight steering rack, makes low-speed turns and manoeuvres in car parks a simple and comfortable task. 

The battery pack has added a significant amount of weight, 520kg to be exact, but the battery is mounted extremely low in the vehicle which helps minimise the body roll with a lowered centre of gravity that, as a complete driving experience, hasn’t compromised the enjoyment. 

All up, the iX3 is a fabulous all-electric platform for those looking for a battery-electric SUV that can handle trips around town and some medium-length journeys, making it a great addition for the segment and a solid first generation that will only get better as time goes by. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

For all its electrical wizardry, the iX3’s platform remains the same as the standard X3, which offers a comfortable and spacious compact SUV that actually leads the pack in a number of key areas. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a sleek cabin filled with a heap of visibility thanks to the added ride height inside the iX3. The cabin here feels like you’re piloting a significantly larger car than the iX3, with a heap of width and ceiling height that adds to the sense of spaciousness. 

The cabin receives the traditional BMW approach to styling, with a subdued but premium design reminiscent of the standard X3, with a few special touches. All up, though, the cabin is undeniably premium and accommodates those in the front with an exceptionally refined cockpit. 

The cabin remains user-friendly with a heap of adjustment in the seats and the telescopic steering wheel, while all the important buttons for the drive settings, climate control and infotainment system are easy to reach. 

Moving to the second row, you’ll find a comfortable bench seat with inbuilt ISOFIX anchors for any parents out there. The rear of the iX3 remains welcoming for adults passengers thanks to its tall ceiling, and a decent amount of legroom that will prove more than adequate for any growing kids you might have. 

To keep the second row passengers comfortable, there’s a set of air vents with their own climate settings, an armrest with inbuilt cup holders and a large storage area for loose items. 

In terms of cargo storage, the iX3 punches above its weight with a boot rated at 510L of storage, which is made even more impressive by the fact that there’s additional storage for charging cables underneath the boot floor. Boot space expands to 1,560L with the rear seats folded, giving the iX3 some genuinely impressive practicality specs that lead the compact SUV segment. 

How Long Can the BMW ix3 Drive on a Single Charge? 

BMW says that the iX3 returns a 20.2kWh per 100km energy economy figure. With power supplied by an 80kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the BMW iX3 can travel up to a maximum 460km on a single charge.

Real-world driving conditions and just how many passengers you’ve squeezed into the cabin will impact the iX3’s all-electric driving range. 

When it comes time to charge the BMW iX3 up, using a DC fast charger up to 150kW can bring the battery pack from 10-80% in 30-minutes, with BMW adding that a ten-minute charge can add 100km of range using a fast charger. 

Using a 7.4kW AC charger at home takes around 9-hours to top the battery pack up, while the charger also supports 11kW three-phase charging that can bring your charging times at home down to around 7-hours. 

Is it Safe? 

The BMW iX3 is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating, although the car on which it is based has received a full five-star rating from ANCAP back in 2017. While we can’t predict the future, it’s a safe bet that the iX3 will receive the same five-star safety rating. 

As standard, the iX3 is packaged with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, a collision evasion and speed limit assistant, as well as front and rear parking sensors. 

Our Verdict: Is the BMW iX3 Worth it?

While it might be BMW’s first attempt at an all-electric compact SUV, the iX3 proves that you can never underestimate a manufacturer like BMW. 

With the release of the iX3, BMW has carved out its own niche in the ever-growing world of EVs that offers families some real-world practicality in a smart, energy-efficient and entertaining all-electric platform. 

As a result, we’d recommend adding the iX3 to your shortlist of all-electric SUVs, and on that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Three-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. Five-year Chargefox subscription with purchase

3. Single-motor, rear-wheel drive configuration

4. 80kWh battery pack offers a claimed 460km range

5. 10-80% charge in 30-minutes with DC fast-charger

Pros 

• Instant acceleration from e-motor 

• Typical BMW driving comfort and refinement 

• Silent driving experience 

• Clever entertainment & safety tech

Cons

• Limited warranty coverage 

• Underwhelming second-row space 

• No dual-motor variant 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

BMW iX3 Competition