BMW iX3 review

Interior:

Dashboard & tech

The interior of the iX3 is almost identical to the standard X3, which is not a bad thing.

There are lots of physical controls, and there is a clear and easy-to-use iDrive infotainment system that is controlled via the swivel wheel located in the centre console.

All the materials are plush and have a soft-touch feel to them and the cabin layout is simple with everything easy to operate. Subtle clues such as the blue surrounds on the BMW logo on the steering wheel, gear selector and start button differentiate the electric model over the petrol-powered X3.

Comfort

The iX3 is similar to the combustion-powered variant in that the suspension does a good job of soaking up the lumps and bumps with ease. However, M Sport cars with their sports suspension and larger wheels do impact the ride quality to an extent.

The electric motor makes journeys much quieter and smoother than the regular car, which makes the iX3 better suited to travelling on longer journeys.

Quality

Interior quality of the iX3 is impeccable with all the materials having a solid feel to them, while there are no squeaks and rattles that come from the trim fittings.

Everything about the cabin feels high quality, from the texture of the leather upholstery to the tactile solidity of the controls.

BMW has built up a reputation for making premium cars and the iX3 is a testament to that statement.

Practicality & boot space:

Interior space

The iX3 is just as practical as the X3 with a secret underneath centre armrest storage bin, deep front door pockets, a generous glovebox and a sliding centre console tray that reveals a couple of cupholders.

Space in the back is plentiful for rear-seat occupants with lots of head and legroom, though the middle seat is quite narrow, and despite there being no engine, you still get a small transmission tunnel eating into the middle passenger’s foot space.

Boot space

Boot space is generous; however, the location of the batteries means that the overall volume is reduced to 510 litres from 550 litres in the combustion model. Fold the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats down, and that capacity expands to 1,560 litres, which is off the pace of the Tesla Model Y’s 2,138-litre volume.

Driving:

Driving experience

Despite the lack of an engine, the iX3 is just as entertaining to drive as the standard car.

The precise steering and agile handling make it great fun on a twisty road, while the instant throttle response from the electric motor adds to that sporty appeal.

There’s a good amount of traction from those thick tyres and power from the single electric motor is sent to the rear wheels for a much more engaging experience.

Performance

The iX3 is only available with one powertrain and all models provide decent acceleration thanks to the instant throttle response from the electric motor.

Compared to its main rivals from Tesla and Jaguar, the iX3 isn’t as quick as those counterparts and isn’t available with a dual-motor setup.

Running costs:

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

The standard 80kWh battery pack on board enables the car to reach a claimed electric range of up to 285 miles between trips to the plug.

That puts it just behind the Jaguar I-Pace’s claimed 292-mile range and the Tesla Model Y’s 314-mile capability.

At least the BMW can be topped up at a rate of 150kW from a DC rapid-charger, allowing an 80 per cent charge to be completed in 34 minutes.

Also, as the iX3 is electric, it doesn’t produce tailpipe emissions at 0g/km of CO2, meaning road tax is just £20 a year.

Value for money

All variants of the iX3 come with a bucket load of standard kit for the money, while space is not at a premium for this midsize SUV.

Reliability & warranty

BMW finished eighth overall in the 2025 Driver Power reliability survey, and the German firm is regarded as one of the most reliable premium car brands.

New, the iX3 came with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, while the battery got an eight-year or 100,000-mile guarantee to give complete peace of mind for the buyer.

Safety:

Safety features

When it comes to safety, the iX3 scored the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating when it was tested in 2021, while there are seven airbags, including one for the driver’s knee. There are also several driver safety features fitted as standard, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection.

The car received a ‘Very Good’ rating from Euro NCAP and was one of the best cars in its class when it came to driver safety at the time of testing.

Trims & engines:

There are four trim levels available on the iX3, all of which offer sporty exterior and interior details.

Trim levels:

• Premier Edition: The base-level variant when the car was launched and featured adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof and a powered tailgate.
• Premier Edition Pro: The Pro boasts a Harman Kardon premium sound system, automatic high beam assist and keyless entry.
• M Sport: The new entry-level as part of an update in 2021 and includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and electric heated front seats.
• M Sport Pro: The top-of-the-line variant, boasting a premium audio system, a head-up display and BMW’s ‘IconicSounds Electric’, which is a special sport noise created by German composer Hans Zimmer.

Engines

The iX3 is only available with an 80kWh battery pack and is mated to a rear-mounted electric motor. It produces a total of 282bhp and 400Nm of torque, which can accelerate the car to 60mph in 6.6 seconds and will top out at 112mph.

All models come with an automatic gearbox, while acceleration is on par with the combustion-powered X3, which feels more than quick enough without feeling sluggish and lacklustre.