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Test Drove the BMW iX3 - it's a proper beast

Busy-Win4077 | 2026-03-10 18:26 | 39 views

These new iX3 models started to show up in dealerships, I strongly suggest you try one if you're on the fence about EV's or if you're thinking of investing in an EV in the near future. Their price starts at about 58k and could go north of 65k but the amount of car you get for this is staggering.. just hear me out: \- 469HP and 645NM of torque, 0-62 in 4.9 seconds \- 108.7kWh (net) battery and up to 500 miles of range (Depends on wheels selected, season, driving style, weather bla bla bla as usual) \- 400kW DC charting (on the new 800-volt platform) allowing 10-80% top up in 21mins (so they say.. haven't tested this.. obviously big caveats regarding the infrastructure being able to give you that) To give a comparison, there's a Volvo EX60 that claims 500+ miles but nothing else. And the "cheap" BYD Sealion 7 competitor is 60k too! offering 300miles of range... I've been given the keys for 2 hours and took it to a nice twisty stretch of road that I know like the back of my hand. I can say I am really impressed with the acceleration, handling, suspension but also braking - really really good, surprisingly good for such a heavy car. For me it feels like a true BMW, a driver's car indeed. And the toys are quite nice too: \- Adaptive cruise - smooth and easy. Best in class (some say on youtube reviews). \- the Panoramic Vision is quite innovative - driver area, centre area, passenger area; fully customizable (and controllable by either driver - via menus - or passanger via app). It's better than a HUD, more info, looking nice, straight down the windshield in the eye vision \- steering wheel looks like a spaceship (on M Sport , not Pro - the one on Pro looks worse IMHO). and the haptic feedback buttons, that change color when activated etc, are quite nice \- big funky shaped tablet with responsive UI \- fully integrated charging system - the car gives you all the details about chargers around, suggests stops when planning a journey, then talks with the supplier, gets the port opened. No need to fumble with accounts or contactless payments I really like it. Truly feels like the future. Worth checking out ;) [pic](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNEwOx6UUuX0qUVgU0CVFV0Uku-KN7p3M62h2Fi4YL61ToJLEMYdqWlTQd9xdsM4Q?key=TGRQT2VNMnNfY0UyeFF1bXFPMlNnQ1dhdmhCSHl3)

Comments (34)
michaelwoodza 2026-03-10 19:15

How did you find the suspension? Roads around my part of the UK (South East) are particularly bad and this is one factor I am concerned about due to lack of air suspension.

TacticalBunchies 2026-03-10 22:30

They look awful though. No thanks! 🙂‍↔️

the908bus 2026-03-11 02:57

Why are you in this sub?

TacticalBunchies 2026-03-11 04:05

i dunno, stupid reddit put it on my feed thinking that just because i drive an M5 i guess means i must like the ugly ix3.. but nope...

the908bus 2026-03-11 04:13

lol I appreciate the honesty 🙂

captain_nibble_bits 2026-03-11 06:48

Hey, i'm here to! Have nothing to do with BMW but Reddit thinks i do. We are plenty. Just dropping in to confirm this car is ugly as fuck.

Nico_ 2026-03-11 10:57

Just would like to drop a comment to say its one of the best looking bmws ever.

ForsakenAd5459 2026-03-11 13:57

58.000 what? Units help

Whoisthehypocrite 2026-03-11 15:45

What was the boot size and interior space. This seems to be an area where the EX60 has beaten it with a much bigger cargo area. 520 litres for the iX3 is too small if that is correct. EX60 is 634 litres, that is X5 sized.

Salty-War8473 2026-03-11 19:16

I did a test drive last weekend and the suspension is really good! I owned a RR Velar in the past which felt wobbly but the new iX3 does not feel like a SUV! I currently have an Audi A6 and the iX3 has a better suspension - I especially felt the difference when driving over a railway crossing that is part of my daily drive. I was impressed with the driving experience - nice cornering, smooth braking and very natural control feeling over the car. Less impressed with the interior quality but it’s unfair to compare it with a 5series or Audi A6. Love the side and rear view. Still need to get used to the new kidneys…but that has often been the case in the past with new BMW models.

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-11 21:07

I like them too :)

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-11 21:07

GBP

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-11 21:08

It’s average sized indeed. 500+ liters. But enough for me

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-11 21:09

I found it very nice and refined. Coming from a X4 (ok but ix3 better) and a MG4EV (cheap car but rubbish suspension)

Gloomy_Outcome5638 2026-03-12 00:39

Did you test drive it in the US?

Basic-Afternoon65 2026-03-12 01:00

How is NVH compared to your Audi A6? I have driven A6 in the past and was blown away how comfortable it was. I plan on doing road trips in iX3 and that's why I am asking you about NVH levels.

sjk9671 2026-03-12 01:04

I’m looking for my next EV after my Chevrolet Blazer EV. I have always owned BMW’s before my Blazer and I really miss the interior quality but wanted to try the EV life. The one thing I hate about the iX3 is the lack of a traditional gauge cluster / screen. I really dislike the empty look that this and cars like the Tesla have behind the steering wheel. It’s one of the reasons I chose the Blazer. It still feels like a traditional car, but electric. This has me leaning more toward the i4 or the i5 but those cars are on old electric technology…..

1Pac2Pac3Pac5 2026-03-12 01:08

Really? Ok that's a lot

Critical-Exit1655 2026-03-12 01:28

Somebody said it looks like a naked mole rat and my god it really does

FitzwilliamTDarcy 2026-03-12 02:26

Are BMWs able to use the Tesla charging network? If so this is high on my list.

Many_Income_2212 2026-03-12 05:38

All EVs can use the Tesla network. In England, where this reviewer is from, the open Tesla network is quite small though

Many_Income_2212 2026-03-12 05:39

Reddit algorithmed me too

chanman134431 2026-03-12 06:38

Noob question: Does it have a standard dash cam built into it? Does it have both rear and front dashcam? Does it have parking monitoring like tesla and some others ?

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-12 11:44

in perspective... old ix3 was starting at £65k, most SUV's from Audi/Merc/Volvo are in the same range..hell even the "cheap" BYD Sealion 7 starts at 60k and offers only 300miles of range! (I tested one.. I know all the details)

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-12 11:44

sorry should have mentioned.. no in the UK

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-12 11:45

You need to give it a go. That panoramic vision is a better concept than a traditional cluster. Sits quite high, right below the windscreen, deeper than a cluster, in your vision and without having to change focus too mucn from far to very close like a cluster does. And it shows a loooot of customizable info...

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-12 11:46

Somebody said something about every new generation.. then people got used to them and started to like them :) it happened so many times, from Chris Bangle onwards

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-12 11:47

It can. and similar to a Tesla, it'll handle all the authentication and payments without having to whip out a phone / account / RFID card etc. Or sit in rain and cold trying to make an account or remember a password! :) and this is for ALL networks not just the superchargers ;)

Busy-Win4077 2026-03-12 11:50

There is an "digital premium" package (£300 in UK) tht has parking collision recorder, BMW Drive recorder (incl videos sent to your bmw app), remote 3d view and anti-theft recorder (interior and exterior). so yes.. plenty of cameras, both inside and out

chanman134431 2026-03-12 11:54

Whoaa.. cool. That will be quite helpful and with warranty it should worry free and work a long time. Thanks for the info.

sjk9671 2026-03-12 13:05

Yeah I know… I’m begrudgingly thinking I need to try it out and see. I just really don’t like the minimalist look. I have always been a car guy and I like my interiors to feel more like a car and less like a “concept”

Salty-War8473 2026-03-12 23:22

A6 is very comfortable of course but I already noticed quite a difference between my current hybrid A6 and former Diesel A6. Both similar specs (s-line, quattro) but I had a better driving experience with the older one. I love the driving experience on the iX3. Likely the A6 will score better for ‘noise’ on paper but I did not experience a notable difference during the test drive. Imo, the iX3 scores better on Vibration and Harshness, the driving is so smooth, braking is excellent and I drove on various roads. I am very curious to see this driving experience combined with a higher class such as the 5series. Hoping the i5 Neue klasse model will have a beautiful design but we will need to wait a few years.

Basic-Afternoon65 2026-03-12 23:25

Thanks. I am going to probably grab this iX3 when they start selling in Canada.

dman77777 2026-03-13 05:59

Mostly true, but I still hate the trunk on the e60 it was ugly then, and it's ugly now.

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