BMW iX3 - 2025 (2025 - )

Anyone who takes an interest in BMW’s bygone days will be familiar with the term Neue Klasse. As the Suez Canal crisis escalated in the 1950s, there were real concerns for the future of the Bavarian carmaker. But then Neue Klasse, which means new class, was launched and along with it a raft of saloon and estate cars. It was the beginning of the era that led to the 3 and 5 Series and has been credited with saving BMW’s future.

Now, 70 years later, Neue Klasse has resurfaced in the all-new second-generation iX3. The car has been built from the ground up on a pioneering platform with innovations and technology that will shape the entire BMW portfolio moving forward. It will also be incorporated into 40 new cars or model updates by 2027 giving vehicles a unique identity with instantly-recognisable design cues.

And the iX3 proudly shows off this new design language for the first time. But that’s not all – the headline news is the 500-mile range on a single charge, alongside rapid charging that can see an extra 231 miles added in just 10 minutes.

At launch, customers can choose from the iX3, iX3 M Sport or iX3 M Sport Pro trims, with all models featuring all-wheel drive. There will be an entry-level, rear-wheel drive version added to the mix later on, but for now we are concentrating on the high-end iX3 M Sport Pro model for our test drive.

The new second-gen BMW iX3 is only available at launch packing a 108.7kWh battery with two electric motors delivering all-wheel drive. It boasts 469hp and 645Nm of torque and that results in some pretty explosive performance stats. It can power its way to 62mph from a standing start in just 4.9 seconds and maxes out at 130mph.
On motorways, it will reach 70mph in the blink of an eye and overtaking slower-moving vehicles poses no problems at all. The pilot assist set-up will keep you positioned in the centre of the lane, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle up ahead while steering, hands-free through curves. A newer, more advanced system is currently in operation in Germany which can also suggest and assist with lane changes on motorways at speeds of up to 80mph. This will be available in UK cars by way of an over-the-air software update later in the year.
When faced with more testing country lanes with lots of twists and turns, the iX3 is more than happy to show off its playful and dynamic side with excellent grip and no sign of body sway through tighter bends – the battery cells are positioned in the car’s floor, which is beneficial to its low centre of gravity and, in turn, its handling. Additionally, the elevated seating position offers the driver a great view across the hedgerows.
BMW tends to have somewhat over-complicated drive and mood modes and the iX3 is no exception to that rule. The Driving Experiences that alter the handling are called Eco, Comfort, Dynamic and Individual, while the My Modes settings focus more on comfort, ambience, mood lighting and the likes. These are called Personal, Sport, Efficient and Silent, the latter of which minimises any sounds and reduces the visual displays.
All theses settings need to be selected via the touchscreen, as does the strength of the regenerative braking. There are no paddles to manually make those adjustments, which is a shame, but the car will automatically read the road and navigational directions and do that work for you.
Driver visibility is excellent and the car is agile and easy to manoeuvre in busier towns and villages. We should also mention the impressive refinement levels. Despite sitting on the largest 22-inch wheels, the ride showed no sign of being wallowy or fidgety, and occupants are well protected from any outside noise too.
 

BMW could be called the Marmite brand of manufacturing in recent years thanks to some bold and often outlandish design traits that have certainly been greeted with mixed opinion – remember that massive kidney grille?
The iX3 introduces a completely new design language and we rather like it. The over-sized kidney grille has been replaced by smaller shapes and these are flanked by horizontal lighting signatures leading to the vertical daytime running lights. – it looks like an unusual interpretation of Morse Code, but it certainly commands attention. And on our range-topping M Sport Pro model, there was an Iconic Glow feature that illuminated the whole grille area.
Other styling cues include flush door handles, rear privacy glass, muscular curves, distinctive LED taillights, M Sport brakes with red calipers and upgraded 22-inch alloys. There were also plenty of M Sport-specific features and badging to help the car stand out in any crowd.
Moving inside, you are given a glimpse into the future with a slim panoramic screen that spans the width of the windscreen and this is where vital data such as speed, driving range, navigational directions and lots more is viewed. It can be personalised to taste and completely replaces the need for a traditional driver display.
Additionally, there is an 18-inch trapezoidal infotainment screen, head-up display and a new-look steering wheel that has controls to navigate the many on-board features. These include a pitch-perfect Hardon Kardon sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, DAB radio, sat nav and much, much more. 
We would like a few more physical controls, but everything works smoothly and there is an excellent AI assistant to help with numerous tasks too.
 

BMW bills the iX3 as an SAV, standing for Sports Activity Vehicle as opposed to Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). Whatever the label, it needs to cover practicality bases well and it does just that. 
It measures 4,782mm in length, is 2,093mm across (with mirrors), 1,635mm tall and has a 2,897mm wheelbase, and those dimensions result in a spacious cabin with room for four adults, or five at a bit of a squeeze. There is certainly enough room for a trio of youngsters in the back.
The front sports seats are powered and, along with the steering wheel, can be heated, and there is even a massage function, which is always appreciated on longer journeys.
The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and has a capacity of 520 litres that can easily be increased to 1,750 litres by dropping the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats. And there is room for another 58 litres of kit in a frunk beneath the bonnet. Then, throughout the cabin, there is a glovebox, front and rear cup holders, a large storage area beneath the centre console, wide door bins, a deep central cubby, a wireless charging pad and USB-C ports so occupants can stay connected on the move.
Another smart feature on the new iX3 is the intelligent charging flap that uses AI to detect when a user intends to connect or disconnect a charging cable, opening or closing the flap accordingly. Clever stuff.
The iX3 features sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology and that means the whole charging process has been significantly improved. With a maximum capacity of 400kW, it takes just 10 minutes to gain 231 miles of range, while a 10 to 80 per cent charge can be achieved in 21 minutes. Most owners will be looking to plug-in at home or at work, where a zero to 100 per cent charge takes 11 hours via an 11kW wallbox.
As well as offering Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities to power up external appliances such as e-scooters, laptops and BBQs, the iX3 is also ready for bi-directional charging to deliver Vehicle-to-Home capability. That means it can supply energy back to your property, which is really handy if there is a power cut.
 

The entry-level BMW iX3 is priced from £58,755, the M Sport costs £61,255 and the range-topping M Sport Pro is set at £62,755. But that’s before any optional extras have been introduced. Our car boasted the larger 22-inch alloy wheels, striking Black Sapphire paintwork, a Technology Pack that introduced a Harman Kardon surround sound system, head-up display and three-zone climate control, plus a few other add-ons. The final price-tag was £72,162.50.

While EV owners now pay road tax, it is still set at just £10 for the first year, increasing to £200 after 12 months (April 2026 figures). And as the vehicle exceeds the newly increased £50k threshold for the government’s Expensive Car Supplement, buyers will need to pay an extra £440 from years two to six.

Anyone lucky enough to be considering the iX3 as a business car will see an attractive Benefit in Kind rating of four per cent across all models. 

BMW has an excellent reputation for developing cars that will deliver thousands of trouble-free miles and, for added peace of mind, the iX3 is sold with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty alongside eight-year, 100,000-mile battery cover.

This is our first glance of BMW’s Neue Klasse design and technology and it certainly impresses on all counts. The styling is distinctive with signature lighting that make the car instantly recognisable. The interior oozes quality and sophistication with premium materials and meticulous detailing throughout, while the new-look display screens certainly leave a lasting impression. 
And when you take into account the dynamic handling and that 500-mile range, this Beemer could be ‘the’ car to beat this year. BMW’s Neue Klasse will be a major talking point in the months and years to come, but if this first model is any indication of what lies ahead, it’s already setting a very high benchmark.