BMW iX3 Review

The BMW iX3 is the electric version of the practical X3 SUV, and offers a range of up to 285 miles per charge

Strengths & weaknesses

The BMW iX3 is an electric SUV that’s closely related to the BMW X3 - it’s not totally identical, but as the name suggests, the iX3 is pretty much an X3 but with electric motors and batteries rather than an engine.

It has a range of up to 285 miles per charge according to official figures, which is thanks to an 80kWh battery pack. All versions have the same batteries and motor, so no matter which trim level you go for, the iX3 has the same efficiency figures.

All versions have the same power figures as well - there’s 286hp available from the electric motors, plus 400Nm of torque. For reference, a normal X3 is available with several engines, but the range-topping xDrive30d model has 282hp from a 3.0-litre diesel engine. That means the iX3 is powerful and fast as well as having the low running costs you would expect from an electric car.

The iX3 being based on a normal X3 has benefits and drawbacks. It’s practical, thanks to the hatchback boot and spacious interior, but it does mean that it looks a bit behind the times when you put it next to the latest BMW electric models, such as the i4. That model has more range and faster charging capability, for example.

Rivals for the iX3 include the Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC and Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge. These are all family SUVs that use electric power only.

Read on to find out more about the BMW iX3 including which version is best for you and more technical details about the car.

Should I get a BMW iX3?

Good to drive
Very quiet inside
Practical and spacious interior

 Behind other BMW EV range/charging ability
Could be more comfortable on bumpy roads
No four-wheel-drive option

The BMW iX3 is a great option if you want a family SUV and are ready to make the step into an electric car. Its range figure - up to 285 miles - isn’t as good as some of the newest electric cars you can buy, but it should be okay for many people. This is the biggest reservation, as the rest of the car is very impressive.

It’s quiet, good to drive and if your lifestyle fits with it, it can be really cheap to run. There’s lots of space inside for family life and a big boot, plus it’s comfortable for the most part, though some bumpy roads reveal a slightly firm ride. It’s luxurious inside as well, although some rivals, including the Mercedes EQC, have a more futuristic look. If you love the BMW X3 and want to go electric, it’s ideal.

BMW iX3 (2021-present): models explained

BMW iX3

BuyaCar prices from £16,000
Monthly finance from £284.60*

BMW iX3

There is only one model in the BMW iX3 range and in fact, as you can see below, there are only two trim levels - so while choice is really limited, you can’t really go wrong. The iX3’s electric motors are at the rear, so there’s no four-wheel-drive despite the SUV looks, but that’s good for most people because it helps to save weight and improve efficiency, meaning lower charging costs.

It uses an 80kWh battery and has a range of up to 285 miles, plus it has 286hp and can go from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, which is pretty quick for a big SUV. The iX3 can charge up using a home wallbox charger in as little as seven and a half hours or at a public rapid charging point in around half an hour (from 10-80%).

It is worth knowing if you are buying used that the very first iX3 models available were based on the previous version of the X3, so they look a bit different. There’s not a huge amount of difference between them, though and the mechanical parts are the same.

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Which BMW iX3 to buy: trim levels

Trim Equipment Deals
M Sport From £24,000: All versions of the BMW iX3 are well equipped - the M Sport version comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, BMW’s latest media system with sat-nav and phone connectivity, pre-heating and automatic air-conditioning plus a panoramic sunroof and loads more.    
M Sport Pro Limited stock: M Sport Pro is the higher-spec model and you get 20-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded Harman Kardon stereo and extra tech such as parking assistant, a head-up display and noise-reducing glass for even more luxury inside.

 
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BMW iX3 batteries and range

There is only one battery choice in the BMW iX3, an 80kWh unit that provides up to 285 miles of range in the M Sport model and 282 miles in the M Sport Pro. The difference is so small as to make no difference in a buying decision, especially as your real-world range will vary much more depending upon the temperature, traffic conditions and number of hills you encounter.

Things like outside temperature, use of heating and air-conditioning systems and traffic will all impact how much range you can get - along with how fast you drive - so it's best to treat these figures as a maximum possible amount and you won’t be disappointed.

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BMW iX3 charge time

While many electric vehicles (EVs) are limited to 7kW (AC) charging - particularly older and smaller models - the iX3 is capable of up to 11kW, much like the BMW i4. This means the 80kWh battery can be charged in as little as 7-8 hours, though because most houses can only support a 7kW supply, charge times will typically be more like 12 hours.

Rapid (DC) charging supports up to 150kW, which isn't as fast as the i4's 210kW. That said, it's better than the Mercedes EQC's 110kW limit and the Jaguar I-Pace's 100kW limit.

The Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge matches the iX3's 11kW AC and 150kW DC speeds, however it uses a smaller battery and offers less electric range.

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BMW iX3 rivals

Jaguar I-Pace

BuyaCar prices from £20,199
Monthly finance from £298.28*

Mercedes EQC

BuyaCar prices from £27,758
Monthly finance from £465.87*

Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge

BuyaCar prices from £17,250
Monthly finance from £263.06*

The BMW iX3 is an electric SUV, which means it has plenty of potential alternatives. You might also consider the Jaguar I-Pace, which is similarly good to drive and offers around the same amount of range, or the Mercedes EQC, which is a lot like the iX3 in several ways.

The Mercedes is also closely related to a petrol- and diesel-engined car, the GLC, but uses electric power only. It has a similar amount of space inside and will cost about the same as well. It has a nicer interior than the BMW but isn’t as good to drive.

Then there’s the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge, which is a bit smaller but offers a luxurious cabin and plenty of performance from its electric motors. You might even also consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is halfway between an SUV and a hatchback but has a huge amount of space inside, loads of range and a very upmarket interior.

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BMW iX3 practicality: dimensions and boot space

BMW iX3 dimensions

The BMW iX3 is 4.7m long, 1.9m wide and 1.7m high. You can read more about the BMW iX3’s dimensions on our dedicated page, but those figures mean it’s virtually identical to the normal X3 and around the same size as the Mercedes EQC.

The EQC is 4.8m long, 1.9m wide and 1.6m tall, so the difference between these two models is a matter of millimetres. The dimensions of the BMW iX3 don’t change depending on model - both the M Sport and M Sport Pro are the same size, although the latter does have larger 20-inch alloy wheels.

CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON BMW iX3 DIMENSIONS

Length 4,734mm Width 1,891mm
Height 1,668mm Weight 2,255kg

 

BMW iX3 boot space

The iX3 is roomy inside for passengers, and you can say the same for luggage as well because there’s a decent 510-litre boot with the rear seats in place. If you fold them down, that opens up to 1,560 litres. That goes for both versions in the range.

This means it’s much more spacious than the Mercedes EQC for luggage, as that model has 500 litres with the seats up but only 1,460 litres if you fold the seats down. This means the BMW is better for people who like to use SUVs for carrying large items or going to the recycling centre with a car full of rubbish.

CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON BMW iX3 BOOT SPACE

Seats up 510 litres Seats down 1,560 litres

 

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BMW iX3 reliability

Electric cars have far fewer moving parts than petrol- and diesel-powered cars, so while we don’t have much data on the iX3’s reliability just yet, we can assume that it will be more dependable than the X3 it’s based on. The X3 itself came in 61st place in the 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, which was an okay result, but nothing to write home about.

BMW didn’t do very well in the survey, though. It came in 21st place out of 29 manufacturers, though Mercedes and Audi also didn’t do very well. This suggests that the ownership experience might not be quite up to the standard you would expect of a luxury car - though owners do tend to have higher standards when paying more for a luxury car.

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BMW iX3 warranty

The BMW iX3 comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty from BMW, plus the battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). This is pretty standard, although some of its rivals only come with 60,000 miles worth of standard warranty cover, so you could be doing more miles in the BMW before running out of cover.

It’s highly unlikely that electric car owners will cover that kind of mileage in three years, though, so in practice it’s a pretty normal warranty. Only Lexus offers a longer warranty (of up to 10 years) in the premium car market.

3 years Unlimited miles

AVERAGE REPAIR COST PAID BY WARRANTYWISE: £721 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON USED CAR WARRANTIES

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Used BMW iX3: should I buy one?

If you want an electric SUV then the BMW iX3 is certainly a worthwhile option to consider. You’ll want to make sure its range - up to 285 miles or so - is compatible with what you want to do with it, as it’s not quite as versatile as something like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which can go for more than 300 miles on a full battery and charge up even faster at a public charger.

The iX3 is good to drive, practical and well equipped, though, and it’s both better to drive and has more luggage space than the Mercedes EQC. It’s not as futuristic as these two rivals, though, as it’s essentially a BMW X3 with electric power.

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Best BMW iX3 deals

Used BMW iX3

BuyaCar prices Limited stock

There are only two versions of the BMW iX3; M Sport and M Sport Pro. M Sport is the one to go for, as it’s the better value option. It comes with everything you need, including sat-nav and online services, big 19-inch alloy wheels, an upmarket interior and the same 80kWh battery and electric motors as in the more expensive model.

Still, if you want all the bells and whistles, the M Sport Pro model comes with a sunroof, an upgraded stereo and even more tech including automatic parking abilities. It’s rather expensive, though, and the 20-inch alloy wheels will require some pricey tyres down the line.

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*Representative PCP finance - 2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0 ST-Line Hatchback:

  PCP representative example     APR rates available    
  Cash price £12,000 APR 7.90%   Value of loan From  
  Fixed monthly payment £218.12 Annual mileage of 8,000pa   £25,000+ 6.9%  
  Total cost of credit £2,755.55 Term 48 months   £12,000-£24,999 7.9%  
  Optional final payment £4,285.79 Loan value £12,000   £8,000-£11,999 8.9%  
  Total amount payable £14,755.55 Deposit £0   <8,000 9.9%  

 

BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.