BMW iX3 2026 Review - The ‘Neue Klasse’ EV Capable of 500 Miles

John Marcar has driven the new BMW iX3, which BMW is launching as a Neue Klasse model. The new EV SUV can boast up to 500 miles of range and features some very impressive new tech.

The Headlines

The iX3 is more than just a new car; it's a display of BMW's latest generation of design, technology and interior features, which will soon be seen on multiple other new models. The iX3 is being launched in three trim levels: '50 xDrive' priced from £58,755 (OTR), '50 xDrive M Sport' from £61,225 (OTR) and '50 xDrive M Sport Pro priced from £62,755 (OTR). BMW predicts that only 5% of UK buyers will opt for the entry-level model, with most spending more on a higher trim level.

What is Neue Klasse?

Neue Klasse (New Class) is a term BMW has used since the early 1960s. The first model to be referred to internally as a Neue Klasse car was the BMW 1500 in 1961 - the model that would later evolve into the 3 Series. The second Neue Klasse, the BMW 1602 Elektro, arrived in 1972 as BMW's first electric car, unveiled for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. The 1602 Elektro was more of a proof-of-concept than a production model, and the EV could only boast a range of around 44 miles on a full charge. 2013 saw the 3rd iteration of Neue Klasse with the arrival of the BMW i3 and, later, the i8, which proved to be a huge success for BMW.

500 Miles on a Single Charge

The big headline for the new iX3 is its 500-mile WLTP electric range on a single charge. Admittedly, this range is only on offer for the entry-level ' 50 xDrive' variant and is dependent on a smaller wheel being specified; however, even with the larger wheels fitted, the range for all models is still very impressive at 491-493 miles WLTP. Interestingly, when talking to some engineers and product experts at BMW HQ, it was revealed that some development engineers had observed predicted ranges climb to 600 miles during road testing.

Battery packs, power and performance

All variants of the iX3 are equipped with BMW's latest battery tech, ECUs, and motors. The overall output is the same across the range at 345kW (469hp), with peak torque at 645 Nm. All models share the same 0-62mph sprint time of 4.9 seconds.

230+ Miles with 10 Minutes of Charging

BMW's new battery platform supports rapid charging with a 400kW charger, delivering 231 miles in as little as 10 minutes. We're now into a charge time that would genuinely rival a motorway refill with a browse around a service station - you can do both simultaneously with the EV!

Model Tested: iX3 50 xDrive M Sport Pro

For the launch event, I was allocated the top-of-the-range M Sport Pro model, which featured a strong selection of optional extras. The extras, perhaps unsurprisingly, bump up the retail price considerably. The options on my test car included black sapphire paint (£875), 22" M Alloy Wheels (£3,300), a heated steering wheel (£250), an electronic tow bar (£1,025), a Panoramic glass sunroof (£1,275), parking assist pro (£775) - more on that shortly, and, what BMW calls the Technology Plus Pack which includes 3-zone climate control, 3D head up display and Harmon Kardon audio (£1,700). Once all options and delivery fees are totted up, the overall price for the iX3 I tested was £72,162.00.

The Best Assisted Cruise Control bar none

A new feature that BMW is especially excited about is an upgrade to its already very impressive assisted cruise control system, which it calls Driving Assistant Plus. I've celebrated the system multiple times previously when testing other BMW products, and now it's just got even better. As standard, the system looks for and recognises road traffic signs and speed limits, and, when the cruise control is activated, adjusts the car's speed to the limit. The system, as far as I could tell on my test day, was flawless. The car accelerates smoothly and gradually, and slows in a manner that would put most professional chauffeurs to shame. The car also slows itself ahead of tighter corners, which might be ambitious if taken at national speed limits. For more complex junctions like roundabouts and T-junctions, the car will slow before prompting you, the driver, to take over and make the right call. BMW is including the Driving Assistant Plus package as standard.

Motorway Assist (coming soon)

Coming soon via an over-the-air update is a further upgrade to the Driver Assistant Package called Motorway Assist. The system will allow drivers to get one step closer to autonomous driving in a motorway environment. It will enable them to activate the system and relax by removing their hands from the wheel and their feet from the pedals. The car will then regulate its speed in accordance with speed limits and avoid surrounding traffic with advanced radar systems. There is even a feature that lets you change lanes simply by looking in the direction you want to go. Glance right, and the car will assess the desired lane for traffic, indicate and then move into the lane with absolutely no input from the driver. The Motorway Assist update (for those that are brave enough) is expected to become available later in the year.

Panoramic Vision

The next big thing worth talking about is BMW's new location for displaying vital information. Whilst the centre touchscreen remains in place for displaying maps, adjusting settings, and choosing media, the smaller instrument cluster, which previously sat ahead of the steering wheel, is now gone. In place of the screen (or clocks, if you prefer) is a new strip of screens that runs the entire length of the base of the windscreen. The layout of items (i.e., what you want to see and where) is fully customisable via a clever drag-and-drop system on the central touchscreen, very similar to moving apps around on your phone. The Panoramic Vision is a head-up display system with the windscreen reflecting the graphics from a sequence of screens built into the dashboard.

New Design Language

One of the big talking topics when BMW launches any new car is the design language. For iX3 and Neue Klasse, it's another radical change that, so far, is dividing opinions. Gone are the enormous grilles we've seen lately, replaced instead by smaller grills. The lighting is the other big change, with both headlights and rear clusters now dramatically oversized units. Personally, I'm not sure I get it yet... yet many people have reacted positively to the new design, and what's certain is that other new models, including the i3 (revealed next week), will follow the same trend.

Size and Practicality

As a small family SUV, the iX3 will tick many boxes for most. In the front seats, the driving position and passenger comfort are both great, allowing tall adults to sit comfortably in the second row. As standard, the boot will accommodate 520 litres of storage and with the rear seats folded flat, the volume jumps up to 1,750 litres.

What Really Matters - The Driving Experience

There's a lot about the new iX3 that's likely to divide opinion: assisted cruise control, oversized design features, and pricing, but one area I'm confident will be met with unanimous praise is the driving aspect.

Last year, I drove the BMW iX. In the headline for my review, I described the iX as 'It's Not Pretty, but it is Pretty Good'. I was impressed by the iX's comfort, performance and dynamics despite being a large SUV EV. With the iX3, BMW has taken everything that made the iX great and made it even better. The iX3 drives flawlessly for day-to-day duties. On the motorway, the ride is smooth and quiet. Through town, the steering is light and effortless, and the large windows offer great visibility. In more dynamic environments, the iX3 handles brilliantly in a way that it really doesn't need to. The steering feels direct, the power delivery is purposeful, and the xDrive system makes the car feel much lighter than it is.

Additional creature comforts, including massaging seats and the Harmon Kardon audio system, make the iX3 feel luxurious beyond its target market.

Is there any bad news?

The only area where a few may moan is the lack of physical buttons. For 'on the fly' adjustments to climate control, a sequence of taps and swipes on the big touch screen is needed. The other noticeable faff came with trying to swap drive modes. Historically, BMW has offered a set of buttons on the centre console for quick mode switching. Those are now gone, meaning the changes and tweaks need to be made via the screen. Admittedly, most will tune into the change and muscle memory will develop for shortcuts. Still, we've seen many manufacturers recently U-turn on the removal of buttons by adding them back where previously haptics and swipes were an unwelcome option, so it'll be interesting to see the customer feedback from iX3 buyers in due course.

To Conclude

I predict the iX3 will be a big hit with BMW customers, old and new. The new model is already filling its trophy cabinet with awards, and I expect many more will follow. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the iX3 is what will be following it. The Neue Klasse underpinnings that make the iX3 so good will soon be in other models, including the i3, X5, and the flagship 7 Series.

words by John Marcar
photography by Henry Faulkner-Smith