Great handling, advanced EV tech: We drive the 2026 BMW iX3
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
Upvote
94
(98
/
-4)
Upvote
15
(75
/
-60)
BMW has been making driver’s cars for a long time and they know how to do it. BMW has always been a premium brand. The price point feels right to me.
I’m glad that your test car was delivered with all of the wheel nuts properly torqued unlike a different EV company’s test cars.
I’m glad that your test car was delivered with all of the wheel nuts properly torqued unlike a different EV company’s test cars.
Upvote
28
(30
/
-2)
The interior looks pretty good, the exterior looks passable. If the price isn't insane BMW might have a solid entry level luxury EV crossover here.
Upvote
37
(41
/
-4)
I don't think I'll ever get the need to screw with steering wheel design. It's arguably the #1 most important piece of kit in the entire machine and engineers seem to feel the need to try and improve on a circle.
Upvote
142
(143
/
-1)
The front face (particularly the lights and grille area) look like when you push character creation sliders too far. Ugliest BMW I've ever seen, inside and out! Truly bizarre style motifs and topology throughout. Perhaps it looks better in person.
Upvote
-19
(31
/
-50)
Still looks like Ghoul nose from the Fallout series. IMO, it looks okay during the day scenes, but then they had to go and add all of that stupid lighting around it. Hyper-illuminated lighting on grilles looks childish.
The strip-o-gagues just under the windshield looks a little weird, but I'm someone who used to complain about infotainment screens that stuck up too high until I bought a car with one. Now I hate anything down low. So that might be a win.
The powertrain sounds amazing. I do wonder how difficult it'll be to perform battery maintenance if the top is the floorboard of the cab. I can just imagine the labor cost if BMW techs have to yank all of the seats to pull the battery.
I notice that the recent trend of having a crapload of black trim around the wheel wells is absent here. The lines look better in white than the silver, where they're a bit too stark. Just in the time it took to write this comment, it started to grow on me.
Upvote
47
(48
/
-1)
If it wasn't for the 32" TV in the center that would actually be a good interior. I like that the kidney beans are back to normal size, but why is the chin so huge?
Upvote
3
(14
/
-11)
Oh this is very interesting, Gitlin. As the only person I can ask who's driven this and the Audi Q4, is there ANYTHING the Q4 does better?
I'm still a couple (or a few… rather) years from replacing the Q4 and I doubt I'll buy anything while the apocalypse cow is still shitting in the white house, but this was off my radar because I for some reason had it in my head it would be smaller than the Q4 (hurr durr 3 is smaller than 4) until I read this article and saw the Q6 called out as a competitor.
I don't really care about aesthetics (though I want nice materials and luxuries… I just don't care what the outside looks like) but I want something quiet, comfortable, with a real-world >300mi range even in shit conditions, and with software made by competent people, and a big enough cargo space to deal with my dumb gear-heavy hobbies. I've got a bunch of other super specific stuff on the must-have list because I'm a whiny fancy wannabe princess but I think the ix3 is at least tentatively in the running. Also considering an off-lease Lucid, or waiting for the new midsize SUV they're supposedly making.
I'm still a couple (or a few… rather) years from replacing the Q4 and I doubt I'll buy anything while the apocalypse cow is still shitting in the white house, but this was off my radar because I for some reason had it in my head it would be smaller than the Q4 (hurr durr 3 is smaller than 4) until I read this article and saw the Q6 called out as a competitor.
I don't really care about aesthetics (though I want nice materials and luxuries… I just don't care what the outside looks like) but I want something quiet, comfortable, with a real-world >300mi range even in shit conditions, and with software made by competent people, and a big enough cargo space to deal with my dumb gear-heavy hobbies. I've got a bunch of other super specific stuff on the must-have list because I'm a whiny fancy wannabe princess but I think the ix3 is at least tentatively in the running. Also considering an off-lease Lucid, or waiting for the new midsize SUV they're supposedly making.
Last edited:
Upvote
45
(45
/
0)
To be $10K or less of that price, you'd be at the same price as a RAV4 Prime. I don't think your expectation was realistic.
Upvote
100
(100
/
0)
Only if you pay the sub…
Does that mean that there's some form of collimating projection going on, HUD-style?The Fine Article said:
Upvote
7
(9
/
-2)
It's being born into a time when there are no longer any US EV tax credits or climate credits, so it will be hard to price it attractively. If you only consider it against other EVs then it's fine, but people on the edge of being able to afford it may give a second look to hybrids or just plain gas engine small SUV's.
Upvote
-18
(4
/
-22)
As soon as I saw the first interior photo, my reaction to the steering wheel was "what the hell is that thing".
It's not that it looks wierd, but it looks like it would feel unpleasant to use, as if it's designed to feel comfortable for one specific holding position... as long as you don't actually turn the thing.
It's not that it looks wierd, but it looks like it would feel unpleasant to use, as if it's designed to feel comfortable for one specific holding position... as long as you don't actually turn the thing.
Upvote
35
(35
/
0)
There are some angles that I think work better than others, but that's how it goes with most modern cars. Most people will think it looks good; it channels various early BMWs without being a retro pastiche. The interior is fine and I bet almost everyone who uses that display strip right under the windshield will love it - it feels like the first iPhone, in that it's just how things are going to be in 5-7 years. It (by all accounts) drives well, it's a decent value, it's very efficient and squeezes very good range out of a reasonable size battery.
I'm not passionate about it. But BMW is not fucking around here. It's a very good car. It sure looks to be a better car than the Porsche Macan EV, with a similar footprint and a lower price tag.
I'm not passionate about it. But BMW is not fucking around here. It's a very good car. It sure looks to be a better car than the Porsche Macan EV, with a similar footprint and a lower price tag.
Upvote
20
(22
/
-2)
Giant tablet and Alexa in the car? Hard pass.
There is no way I am letting Amazon or Google anywhere near my car. They have enough info on me already.
My current vehicle supports Alexa. It is not activated.
There is no way I am letting Amazon or Google anywhere near my car. They have enough info on me already.
My current vehicle supports Alexa. It is not activated.
Upvote
15
(35
/
-20)
It is simply not possible for BMW to make a car these days without a bunch of overheated internet rhetoric about how it's the ugliest fucking thing in a 17 light year radius, and I think BMW and all the rest of us are just about ready to tune this kind of blabbering out at this point.
Upvote
13
(41
/
-28)
The US EV market is a unicorn from a global perspective.
Here in Australia we're starting to see the dominance of the Chinese brands with only Tesla and Hyundai/Kia providing any real competition. For example here are the November 2025 top ten sales figures for the country for EVs:
The US market seems highly focussed on the other end of the market, with huge distortions from the tariffs you have in place.
This BMW will only be a tiny niche model here as it's simply not competitive with the Chinese for price or tech, so it will only sell based on 'prestige' and brand allegiance.
Here in Australia we're starting to see the dominance of the Chinese brands with only Tesla and Hyundai/Kia providing any real competition. For example here are the November 2025 top ten sales figures for the country for EVs:
- Tesla Model Y – 2,269 sales
- BYD Sealion 7 – 1,040 sales
- Zeekr 7X – 682 sales
- Tesla Model 3 – 433 sales
- Geely EX5 – 412 sales
- BYD Atto 2 – 365 sales
- Kia EV5 – 300 sales
- BYD Atto 3 – 261 sales
- MG MGS5 – 222 sales
- BYD Seal – 157 sales
- MG MG4 – 145 sales
- BYD Dolphin – 103 sales
The US market seems highly focussed on the other end of the market, with huge distortions from the tariffs you have in place.
This BMW will only be a tiny niche model here as it's simply not competitive with the Chinese for price or tech, so it will only sell based on 'prestige' and brand allegiance.
Upvote
56
(64
/
-8)
So, breaking news update for everyone who apparently thinks cars are the same price they were in 2018 or so when you bought your last car: cars are expensive now. Inflation is a thing. $59,995 is a very good price in 2025 for a modern EV this size with these specs from a premium brand. You were never, ever going to buy this for $45k and you know that, so stop.
Upvote
91
(96
/
-5)
and, if word on the street about the Macan is to be believed, probably a hell of a lot higher quality from the BMW, I really wanted one on paper but the $100k price tag for a decent (not even going nuts) config and having shit software and an early reputation for quality issues, at least supposedly… oof.
Upvote
13
(13
/
0)
The Macan's pricing isn't quite that bad and the software is fine and it drives really, really well - and I say that having driven one. But the interior is fine at best, it's kind of cramped, and I just priced one out optioned very sparsely aside from paint that reflects an actual color and leather seats, and I'm just baaaarely shy of $90k before taxes and delivery. if an iX3 is available for, eh, $67k with the Premium Package and a decent paint color? Yeah, nah fam, Porsche doesn't get that extra $22k or so.
Last edited:
Upvote
10
(12
/
-2)
That's not a mistake. "frit" is the pattern of little dots at the edge of the windshield. It's partly there for cosmetic purposes as it blends the clear part of the glass with the opaque area where adhesive and, sometimes, cameras and/or sensors are placed. It also can help prevent damage to the windshield from heat or ultraviolet radiation.
Bonus points to the author for using that word!
I have an ID.Buzz now and am quite happy with it, but I'd certainly consider this new iX3 for a future EV purchase. One complaint: I'm not crazy about the typeface on the control screen. Thankfully, phone projection will hide it a lot of the time. I also hope that other wheel options might be offered in the future, as it's not uncommon for luxury cars to offer a few choices.
I also would definitely choose a darker paint colour.
Last edited:
Upvote
68
(68
/
0)
Yes, because showing a market with no distortions from tariffs or bans and with global access to that market is bad somehow?
There are other similar markets btw, the US is the outlier.
Which was my intial point which you decided to be rude about for no good reason. As usual.
Last edited:
Upvote
15
(24
/
-9)
Upvote
-4
(4
/
-8)
I like it, other than the absurd steering wheel. Seriously WTF is up with that thing.
Currently driving an i4, mostly happily, and greatly looking forward to see what selection of Neue Klasse cars will be available when my lease expires.
Currently driving an i4, mostly happily, and greatly looking forward to see what selection of Neue Klasse cars will be available when my lease expires.
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
It's not bad, it's just not all that relevant. You don't have a domestic auto industry anymore, so predatory dumping isn't as much of an issue. That's not the case with the EU and US markets.
Don't tell me anything BYD makes is a better car, though. Cheap and cheerful has its place, but you do still get what you pay for up to a point, and BYD is well short of that point.
In some ways, yes, but don't try to tell me your market is representative of major ones.
Upvote
-9
(15
/
-24)
It's so weird. The rest of the interior is pretty restrained, but somebody started designing that wheel and nobody told them to stop.
Upvote
10
(13
/
-3)
Upvote
3
(6
/
-3)
Ok, $94,550 plus tax for the config I'd actually be looking at if I were a genuine shopper. That's for the AWD, cheapest leather package, premium package (massaging/cooled seats, heated rear seats, 4 zone climate, upgraded lights), and HUD (one of my favorite things in my car, other than the idiotic halfassed implementation that doesn't let it get prompts with carplay data, only the shitty overpriced built in nav… see the software section of my airing of grievances), and most of the driver assist options. No cosmetic options. Just comfort and quality of life.
The thing I'm learning about software and EVs is that I've gotta drive one for a few days to really know what it's like. It seems fine in my Audi until you learn that it knows your address, it knows the charging settings for your address, and lets you know you have configured charging settings for your address when you get near your home. But you have to press a god damned button EVERY TIME YOU GET OUT or it will use the default settings and happy suck down power when it's over $0.6/kWh instead of when it's half that. Plug and charge? Technically present, but can't be configured and used.
Or like I mentioned above: the aggressively halfassed carplay implementation. The ID4 built on the same platform feeds carplay nav into the driver display and the available-in-europe HUD but the Q4 doesn't. That means someone decided to cripple it and that irks my balls.
Or that for the last 2 weeks the remote climate start hasn't worked. Why? Who knows. Not Audi! Why can I see the lock status, but not actually lock or unlock through the app? Just how it is for this model. Wouldn't even have occurred to me that could even be a thing.
When you do successfully preheat the car and turn on the seat heaters and defrost the glass… the steering wheel heater doesn't turn on, and there's no way to turn it on until you're in the car. Why? Mysteries of the universe.
and given that the Macan's software is made by the same people… I'd want an extended test drive and take home over a weekend if I were seriously considering it.
Of that I have little doubt. I'll still go test drive one probably.
Yeah I'm really curious to see how it'll price out… and if a better steering wheel option will be available.
Upvote
18
(20
/
-2)
I don't know why BMW is having such trouble incorporating their traditional split-grille design into their EVs.
Both the current i4 is and the discontinued i3 was awful from the front, and then they go do a new design for the iX3... and still awful.
Both the current i4 is and the discontinued i3 was awful from the front, and then they go do a new design for the iX3... and still awful.
Upvote
-2
(12
/
-14)
Upvote
5
(6
/
-1)
If I've got $95k in my budget and a Stuttgart crest in my dreams, that's a couple year old Cayman S or a 2015ish 911 Carrera with low enough mileage for me to take a flyer on it, so fuck that shit.
How the sweet fuck did anyone test that and still went, sure, fine, fuck it, ready to ship. I just do not understand. You are not describing edge cases or weird occasional bugs. This is stuff every EV owner interacts with on a daily basis. It's stuff my Ioniq5 just got right from jump.
Upvote
30
(30
/
0)
Finally it looks like BMW are releasing an EV in the US with V2L/H. After a decade of experimenting and investigating in various countries they’ve done it. I had an Ioniq 5 and it helped me power part of my house for 4 days after Storm Beryl (window unit AC, fridge, network stack). A while later I got a Sierra EV and being able to power almost anything with 240v and do so for potentially weeks is a huge benefit that almost never gets the attention it should. (I’m using the 240v output in the truck bed which connects to a generator inlet, not GM’s overpriced proprietary V2H system).
I remember a few months after the Ioniq 5 came out Hyundai released some marketing info that stated that customer's rated V2L as one of the most appealing features. That’s despite it only outputting 120v here in the US.
I remember a few months after the Ioniq 5 came out Hyundai released some marketing info that stated that customer's rated V2L as one of the most appealing features. That’s despite it only outputting 120v here in the US.
Upvote
16
(16
/
0)
If they don't like it they should probably stop making ugly vehicles. shrug
Upvote
13
(21
/
-8)