BMW iX3 Review

There's really no overstating how important this car is to BMW.

Look past the fact that it is the first car of the firm's Neue Klasse generation - a name taken from the original model that saved the firm from its financial doldrums of the 1950s - and there's also its all-new electric platform and drivetrain to consider, on top of the fact that it also sports an new design language.

So, do all these make this new iX3 the all-electric compact premium SUV to buy?

The BMW iX3 premieres an all-new design language from the firm

A new look

Those who found the large grilles that have graced the firm's latest cars a little too crude will find this new iX3 more palatable. It has taken on more reasonable proportions and is simply highlighted by a light band.

The shape of that grille, of course, pleasingly takes after the grille of the Neue Klasse of the 1960s, although I found the creases on the bonnet of this iX3 that recall many BMW coupes of old more attractive still.

Look at the side of this BMW iX3 and its design strikes as appealingly monolithic. Clean surfaces dominate and give the car a clean and uncluttered look - all the better to bring out this car's attractive two-box silhouette.

The Central Display of the iX3 can be configured from a host of different colours and background images

A new space

But if you think this exterior is accomplished, wait until you step inside.

There's so much that's new here it's going to be hard not to miss something. So, in order of prominence, you've got a Panoramic Vision unit that projects a host of information across the full width of the windscreen, a new Central Display that also runs a new Operating System X, and there's also a redesigned steering wheel.

I'm not going to mince my words here. The new wheel looks like a mess of geometric shapes within an otherwise elegant cabin of sweeping curves, but it thankfully redeems itself with how pleasant it is to use - my thumbs found a home in the divots where your hands are supposed to rest and the leather employed here makes it a pleasant thing to grip.

You'll be able to choose from a wide variety of information to display on the Panoramic Vision unit

Look to the left and there's also a new infotainment display that impresses with the sheer variety of colours and display themes available.

And it's quite sensibly configured as well. You get a bar at the bottom for quick access to a host of frequently used items such as your navigation page, drive modes, and air-conditioning screen. Press the little car icon and all your vehicle settings are also available and neatly arranged into their respective categories on the left of the screen. Quickly switch between these and the system is just barely lag-free enough to evade frustration.

Hop over to the rear and you'll find leg and knee room aplenty alongside a completely flat floor - benefits, no doubt, of that new all-electric architecture. Not so great is the fact that if your passengers are prone to motion sickness, you'll need to find a new space to hind those sick bags: The magazine holders you typically find at the backs of the front seats are absent here.

Leg and knee room for rear passengers is generous and there's a total of 520 litres of boot space in this BMW iX3

A new drive

But of course, how this iX3 performs on the road is what really matters. The firm has built itself on a reputation of delivering driving joy and customers eyeing this new premium compact SUV rightfully should expect a sorted ride and respectable handling prowess.

And I can say they won't walk away disappointed after their test drives. The ride here is firm - though not to the point of discomfort – permitting a fair amount of road imperfections to make their way into the cabin.

But show the car some larger obstacles and it does respond with decent pliancy. And the upside to this firm setup is that the iX3 is quite the capable machine when it comes to carving up a winding stretch of road.

This iX3 comes with a 108.7kWh battery that can be charged at a maximum power of 400kW

Body control here is excellent, and there's plenty of grip on offer as well. Better yet is the fact that there's a pleasing level of weight and linearity to your driving controls that makes precise control over the vehicle always effortless.

And the iX3 flatters even when you adopt a slower turn of speed. Coming to a smooth and gentle stop is genuinely easy thanks to the car's new Soft Stop function. And the cabin of this iX3 also scores well when in comes to insulation levels.

Those eyeing this car as an everyday commuter will also be pleased to note that it reached an energy efficiency of 5.7km/kWh, which is just a touch better than the car's claimed energy consumption of 5.5km/kWh. Expect charging sessions to become a weekly affair thanks to its 108.7kWh battery, which can also be charged up at an impressive peak power of 400kW.

The BMW iX3 impresses with its wide suit of skills and futuristic exterior

A new paradigm

So, is this BMW iX3 now the all-electric compact premium SUV to get? At $387,888, this BMW iX3 not only offers more power but also comes with a larger battery than the $460,999 quattro variant of the Audi Q6 e-tron.

But those also willing to consider Chinese alternatives will want to note that options such as the 'Long Range RWD' variant of the Zeekr 7X or the 'Ultra' variant of the AVATR 07 can be had for $278,999 and $296,999 respectively - a discount that's really hard to ignore (all prices as of 14 June 2026, inclusive of COE).

These Chinese options arguably won't match this BMW when it comes to brand prestige or the sheer all-round competency that we have seen from the iX3 today, but even then, I suspect many will still find it difficult to justify the price premium that the BMW is asking for.

But fans of the marque shouldn't entirely dismiss this car just yet, for the firm also does offer a '40' variant of this iX3 in other markets. Equipped with a smaller battery and a more sensible power output (for our roads that is) of 316bhp, this variant should prove a hit if it is offered here at a more accessible price point. Now that would truly change things up for BMW.

Looking for a premium all-electric SUV? There's also these options to consider:

Find out more about the new Porsche Macan GTS here!

Or catch our review of the Performance variant of the Zeekr 7X here!

Be sure to also catch our first drive of the Volvo EX60 when we experienced it in Spain!