REVIEW
BMW iX3 50 xDrive
469 hp electric SUV with 805 km of range and BMW's new Neue Klasse technology
2026 · awd · 469 hp · 645 Nm
REVIEW
BMW iX3 50 xDrive
469 hp electric SUV with 805 km of range and BMW's new Neue Klasse technology
2026 · awd · 469 hp · 645 Nm
IN THIS REVIEW EXTERIOR INTERIOR DRIVING PERFORMANCE PRACTICALITY PRICE FINAL VERDICT VIDEO GALLERY
The BMW iX3 50 xDrive is the first production model of BMW's Neue Klasse and one of the brand's biggest technological steps in years. It combines 469 hp, xDrive all-wheel drive, up to 805 km of WLTP range and 400 kW DC charging with a completely new cockpit and driving architecture. More importantly, it feels efficient, composed and surprisingly agile for a large electric SUV.
PROS
- Excellent Panoramic Vision interface
- Up to 805 km WLTP range
- Exceptionally fast 400 kW DC charging
- Strong efficiency for its size and weight
- Quick, accurate steering and composed handling
- Useful 58-litre frunk and spacious cabin
CONS
- New front-end design will not appeal to everyone
- Flush door handles on our test car could be frustrating
- No seat ventilation on our test car
- Some interior materials feel less premium than expected
- Our test car developed a few creaks and rattles
469 hp
POWER
645 Nm
TORQUE
4.9 sec
0-100 KM/H
210 km/h
TOP SPEED
EXTERIOR
The iX3 introduces BMW's Neue Klasse design language, and the front is easily the most controversial part. The familiar kidney grille has returned to a much narrower vertical shape, combined with BMW Iconic Glow and animated lighting sequences. I am still not completely convinced by the look, although BMW kidney designs do have a habit of becoming less shocking with time.
Our Space Silver test car had the M Sport Package, 22-inch wheels and blue M Sport brake callipers. Flush door handles, concealed window seals and the large Climate Comfort panoramic roof all help clean up the profile, although the handles themselves were occasionally frustrating to use.
INTERIOR
Inside is where the Neue Klasse transformation becomes much more convincing. The highlight is BMW Panoramic Vision, which projects information across the lower edge of the windscreen from A-pillar to A-pillar. It is sharp, high-contrast, easy to read and can be customised with navigation, trip information and vehicle data.
For me, it is one of the best new in-car interfaces I have used. I even switched the optional 3D head-up display off because Panoramic Vision already gave me everything I wanted directly in front of me.
The M Sport steering wheel looks unusual but works extremely well, with comfortable grips and illuminated haptic controls that only reveal functions when they are relevant. Our test car used the Contemporary Castanea and Atlas Grey Veganza interior, with synthetic leather, textured plastics and illuminated fabric trim.
The seats offered heating and massage but no ventilation, which feels like a noticeable omission in this class. The 13-speaker Harman Kardon system, however, sounded excellent.
DRIVING
The iX3 weighs around 2.36 tonnes, but from behind the wheel it hides that mass remarkably well. The steering is quick and accurate, the body stays composed and the car feels more agile than the numbers suggest.
BMW's new Heart of Joy control unit manages drivetrain, braking, recuperation and driving dynamics together. You do not really notice the system itself, but the car responds to accelerator and steering inputs in a very natural, coordinated way.
Sport mode sharpens the throttle and adds a synthetic soundtrack. Normally fake EV sounds do little for me, but this one works because it sounds deliberately digital rather than pretending to be a combustion engine.
Our test car occasionally produced a creak from somewhere around the dashboard and Panoramic Vision area. It was not constant, so I would treat that as a test-car observation rather than a general iX3 issue.
PERFORMANCE
The iX3 50 xDrive uses two electric motors and xDrive all-wheel drive, producing 345 kW or 469 hp and 645 Nm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaches 210 km/h.
The usable battery capacity is 108.7 kWh, with an official WLTP range of up to 805 km. During our motorway-heavy test, consumption settled at 19.9 kWh/100 km, which works out at roughly 550 km of real-world range at that pace.
Charging is one of the strongest parts of the package. BMW officially rates the 800V system at up to 400 kW DC and quotes 21 minutes for a 10-80 percent charge under suitable conditions.
With the battery properly preconditioned, our test car actually peaked at 404 kW. On another session, we charged from 11 to 78 percent in 21 minutes.
PRACTICALITY
Up front, the iX3 has a useful 58-litre frunk with a 10 kg maximum load, making it an ideal place for charging cables and the tyre repair kit.
The main boot provides 520 litres, expanding to 1,750 litres with the rear seats folded. The parcel shelf can be stored underneath the boot floor, while the rear bench uses a 40:20:40 split and can also recline slightly.
Rear-seat space is generous, with plenty of headroom and legroom, a flat floor, separate climate controls, USB-C ports, ISOFIX mounts and a centre armrest with twin cup holders.
PRICE
The BMW iX3 50 xDrive starts at €73,770 including VAT in Belgium.
Our Space Silver test car adds the M Sport Package, 22-inch wheels, Climate Comfort panoramic roof, 3D head-up display, Harman Kardon audio and other options. Based on its specification, the price as tested is around €87,000 including VAT, although we do not have a final option sheet confirming the exact figure.
For current specifications, options and availability, visit the official BMW iX3 page.
JOHNNY DRIVES VERDICT
After living with the iX3 50 xDrive for several days, the thing that stayed with me most was how convincing the Neue Klasse technology felt in normal use.
Panoramic Vision is the standout. I expected it to feel like another screen added for the sake of technology, but it quickly became the interface I used most. The fact that I ended up switching the head-up display off says a lot.
The car itself also impressed me more than expected. It is heavy, but it rarely feels heavy, and the combination of quick steering, strong efficiency and genuinely exceptional charging makes it very easy to live with.
I am still not sold on the front design, the flush handles irritated me, and our particular car had a few small quality issues. But those things did not change the bigger impression.
The iX3 feels like BMW has genuinely moved forward rather than simply built another electric X3. For me, that makes the 50 xDrive a very convincing start to the Neue Klasse.
€ 73.770
Base price (Belgium)
awd
DRIVETRAIN
5
SEATS
1-speed automatic
TRANSMISSION
© 2026 Jonas Van Gestel
© 2026 Jonas Van Gestel
