If you know anything about automobiles, you already know that BMW’s X3 has proven to be one of the most popular mid-size luxury SUVs of the last decade. From soccer moms to traveling professionals the sporty and responsive X3 has managed to appeal to a wide array of buyers and drivers, making it somewhat difficult to outdo with any new SUV offering from the coveted marque.
Fear not though, because if there is one thing the great auto minds of Bavaria know how to do, it’s one up themselves. Meet the new BMW iX3! The first production vehicle built on BMW’s Neue Klasse EV platform, the Ix3 is a bold shift in design, technology, and driving dynamics. With its sharply contoured bodywork, flush door handles, and an aerodynamic profile that make it look as if it could conquer the Tail of the Dragon, this is actually a great looking EV.
Inside the iX3 features BMW’s Panoramic iDrive display and Operating System X, blending a large touchscreen with panoramic instruments that sweep across the dash. It also boasts BMW’s Intuitive Voice Control powered by enhanced Intelligent Personal Assistant with Alexa+ integration. All of this allows you to interact with entertainment, navigation, and climate control by voice. If you’re not into tech you probably need to buy something else. Because this thing is full of it!
Beyond the sporty exterior you’ll find a 108.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, powering BMW’s sixth- generation eDrive technology on an 800-volt architecture. The launch iX3 50 xDrive uses dual electric motors, coupled with all-wheel drive, to provide 463 hp and 476 lb.-ft of torque, pushing the new EV to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.
Range figures are among the most competitive in the EV class, at up to 400 miles on a single charge. Great for easing your range anxiety on long trips. Charging is also impressive, thanks to the Ix3’s 800-volt system, that can accept DC fast charging at up to 400 kW, adding around 200-plus miles in 10 minutes at capable stations. Additionally, bidirectional charging functions also allow the iX3 to power your tools, home circuits, and even send energy back to the grid.
As for handling, I would say the iX3 balances BMW’s signature German feel with a refined level of comfort, compared to most EVs. The steering has that tight, agile BMW feel we’ve come to expect, and the road holding ability is worthy of the brand’s sports-minded reputation, while the regenerative braking is smooth, even in stop-and-go traffic.
As a self-professed car aficionado who has written about BMW’s for many years, and owned everything from vintage 80’s 320i sedans, an M Roadster, a Z4 3.0 to various 3,4, and 5 series - and even a trusty X3- I would conclude that at around $60,000 MSRP for the U.S. launch model, the brand new 2026 BMW iX3 represents a compelling argument for the ideal mix of modern EV technology meets traditional BMW pedigree. Would I drive one? I don’t know… but I’d probably buy my wife (or mom) one if she wanted it.