BMW aims at the bullseye with Neue Klasse iX3 EV

The new BMW iX3 has grabbed the headlines because of its claimed range of some 805km. So is this overhyped, or is the new iX3 the ultimate driving EV?

This range would really be a true breakthrough for EV motoring, as almost nothing can claim to match that. I have spent some 700km and over a week of mixed driving conditions on Irish roads in Irish conditions to test their claim.

The new iX3 is the first in a line of new BMWs which they call “Neue Klasse” or new class in English. The electric 3 Series, the i3, will follow. It is worth noting that BMW still offer the X3 in petrol and diesel versions too.

BMW actually used the Neue Klasse brand name before back in the 60s, and it was a marketing success, so I guess it's no surprise it has been reincarnated it for today’s cars.

There are currently two versions available - the iX3 40 with an 82.6kWh battery and rear wheel drive, and the iX3 50 xDrive with a 108.7 kWh battery and all wheel drive as on test here. The model here is the higher specification M-Sport.

So how does it look at first glance?

The exterior has as you can see here, has a somewhat retro look. I must put my cards on the table here and say that I did not warm to its design.

I know it's purely subjective, but I think it lacks the distinctiveness that BMW used to have. The illumination of what used to be the BMW kidney shaped grill adds a touch of style, and like many others now, you can program the LED lights to “welcome” you in a calm or, as BMW says, “excited“ fashion.

From the side, it looks rather slab-sided with little in terms of design. The rear view, however, is one of its best angles. So, in short, in my opinion, it is not one of BMW’s best creations visually.

What is it like inside?

The interior is a real revolution and a big departure from previous BMW designs. It's quite minimalist, and from a company previously known for some of the most ergonomic and attractive dashboards of old, this new set-up seems somewhat over the top.

The central infotainment screen is oddly shaped, and the full-width digital display, which BMW call Panoramic iDrive, takes a bit of getting used to. The equally quirky-looking steering wheel with a plethora of haptic feedback “buttons” is all new right down to its shape.

All of the car's tech is powered by BMW’s System X, which is in essence a lot of computers that coordinate with each other to manage all the car's functions. Via the System X software, you can download apps, video games, music and even Zoom. There are absolutely no buttons, so all functionality is unfortunately through the touchscreen or via voice control. There is a host of high tech, from self-parking to computer controlled baking making a stop so smooth your passengers may not even notice.

While I may not warm to the aesthetics of the design of the dashboard, I will say that after a while behind the wheel you do conclude that BMW have really engineered it very well indeed. The Panoramic iDrive cockpit display falls into your line of sight, though why they felt the need to run it across the whole width of the windscreen leaves me puzzled. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

My test car also had a HUD which holds valuable driver information. The on-board GPS navigation actually sees when corners are being approached and displays a contour image of the bend into the HUD with a countdown in meters to the upcoming corner. This is a very useful safety feature and clever use of technology. It is nice to see that the ADAS is generally unobtrusive, with the exception that it will warn you to keep your eyes on the road when interacting with the touchscreen.

Standard equipment across the model range is good, though it does not take long to mount up a hefty price tag of options should you play with the BMW configurator online.

I am glad to report it seems BMW listened to the many negative comments about the quality of the interior of the previous X3. While many of the car's materials, both external and internal, are recyclable, the quality does feel up to the standard we would expect from BMW, with a few exceptions in the cabin where rather hard-touch plastics can be found lower down and around the glovebox area.

The driving position is excellent and visibility is very good too. The cabin is truly spacious with ample leg and headroom both front and rear. The electric tailgate opens to reveal a large boot offering in excess of 500litres of space with the rear seats in place or 1,750 litres with them folded. There is also a small 58-litre “frunk” under the bonnet suitable for cables or other small items.

What about the powertrain?

The iX3 50 xDrive has a 108kWh battery and two electric motors driving all four wheels. Total power output is some 463 bhp, so this car, despite its hefty kerb weight, is really quite quick. 0-100km/h takes just 4.9 seconds, and it tops out at a claimed 210km/h. It actually feels quicker off the line than these numbers suggest, as with all wheel drive it simply grips and goes. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

The Neue Klasse iX3 has completely new battery technology with clever new cylindrical cells and 800 volt technology. This new battery is lighter by some 10% and has 40% less energy loss than previous BMW batteries. This new tech really delivers, as over my weeks' road test I easily managed 650km without recharging, and 700km is attainable in a less testing environment. So BMW have truly scored a bull's-eye with the range ability of this new car.

Very little out there even comes close, let alone matches it. I also tested how quickly I could add 250km of range and found it took just 14 minutes at an Ionity high power 350kWh charger to gain 250km of range. This is absolutely a remarkable result. The car can charge at up to 400 kW, but there are very few of those chargers in Ireland. In short then the new iX3 is a game changer. It offers hassle-free EV driving with no range anxiety.

What is it like to drive?

There is no start/stop button; just jump in, press the drive selector and off you go. Without question, this is the most involving and rewarding electric vehicle to drive on the market today. BMW’s slogan used to be “The ultimate driving machine”, and in my opinion the iX3 is the ultimate driving EV.

The steering is light about town but weighs up perfectly; the brakes are superb and confidence-inspiring, while the handling is surefooted and I would almost say agile, disguising its mass very well indeed. In short, this car is a pleasure to drive, and those seeking a rewarding driving experience will not be disappointed.

Hugh’s Verdict

Despite some of my reservations about the style and the very screen-centric cabin, the iX3 won me over for the way in which it drives, combined with a truly exceptional range and the ability to obtain some 250km of range in about 14 mins max at a high-power charger. BMW with the iX3 have become the benchmark by which all EV’s will be judged. It's no surprise then that the iX3 is sold out until early 2027!

Price: BMW iX3 40 from €67,000. The iX3 50 xDrive from €76,315.

Pros:

• Excellent real world as tested, of 670km.
• Ultra-fast top-up charging (at a high-power charger)
• A rewarding and involving driving experience.

Cons:

• A very screen-centric cabin… no buttons.
• Some interior materials still not as good as they should be at this price point.
• Gets pricey quickly if you tick the long options list.

Check out www.whichnewcar.ie for more road tests from Hugh Maguire.