BMW iX3

BMW It has always been one of the most determined brands in the transformation to sustainable mobility, mainly electric. When many rivals reneged on the technology, the Germans brought out products like the BMW i3. Today the expansion of the range takes shape thanks to launches such as the BMW iX3, the first 100% electric SUV of the house.

We have tested this car:

Test BMW iX3 Impressive 286 CV, this is how the electric brother of the X3 goes

Announced years ago as a prototype of what would be the electric variant of a BMW X3, the managers in Munich have decided that Let this variant be the one that really kicks off the true explosion of the i range. In the future, many more models will join it, although for the moment it falls short.

The BMW iX3 is officially presented in the year 2020. It is the first generation of the model, and Of course it takes many influences from the X3At least aesthetically. However, its appearance is not exactly the same since in this case there is no mechanic to refrigerate. Barely a year after its launch, the electric SUV receives a restyling, a facelift that introduces numerous aesthetic and technological changes.

Technical characteristics of the BMW iX3

When developing the BMW iX3, the Germans had to adapt their CLAR architecture for a fully electric SUV. This same structure is what we can see in a wide and varied offer of house models such as the BMW Serie 3, BMW X5 or BMW Serie 7, among others, in addition to the X3. However, for this particular case, serious structural modifications have been made.

The batteries occupy the entire lower part of the vehicle. This allows the center of gravity to be reduced to levels close to those of a sedan. As for its measurements, the iX3 is located in the D-SUV segment. 4,73 meters long, 1,89 meters wide and 1,67 meters high are its outer dimensions. To them we must add a wheelbase of 2,86 meters.

It is a very generous battle for a maximum of five passengers, where the rear ones will be able to enjoy a lot of legroom. As regards the volume of cargo, an effort has been made to minimize the typical losses of electrification. The BMW iX3 offers a trunk with a minimum capacity of 510 liters and a maximum of 1.560 liters that are achieved by folding down the second row of seats completely.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the BMW iX3

Being a model conceived from its origins as a 100% electric SUV, the entire range is based on this technology. Given the youth of the model at the moment only a mechanical variant will be available. It consists of a single motor and battery assembly. In the future, more versions will be added, both for batteries and motors, offering units with dual mechanics and all-wheel drive.

Right now the BMW iX3 sports a rear electric motor that develops 286 horsepower and 400 Nm of maximum torque. That motor is attached to a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery with 74 kWh of useful capacity. Thanks to this scheme, BMW has managed to approve a 100% electric autonomy in the WLTP cycle of 458 kilometers.

When it comes to recharging, the iX3 incorporates a maximum recharging system of 150 kW in direct current, and 11 kW in alternating current. According to technical specifications, the recharging time in an 11 kW socket is extended to seven and a half hours. On the contrary, if we connect the car to a super fast 150 kW intake will be able to recover from 0 to 80% in just 34 minutes.

Equipment of the BMW iX3

When talking about equipment and qualities, it is clear that the BMW iX3 belongs to the premium segment of the market. Deriving partly from a BMW X3, it borrows almost the entire structure of the interior. The arrangement of the elements is practically the same, although for this occasion different materials have been applied that raise the sustainable awareness of electric mobility.

Such is the impact of this first electric SUV, and the importance for the future, that BMW has altered its traditional equipment levels. The iX3 range is divided, at least in an early phase of its commercialization, into two levels: Inspiring and Impressive. At an aesthetic level, the two are practically the same, although at the equipment level one arrives more loaded with technology than the other.

As far as equipment is concerned, the iX3 enjoys the typical beauty of the times. Actually, we are talking about the same equipment as an X3, but with certain obvious approaches to an electric car. Head-Up Display, digital instrument panel, laser headlights, multimedia system with screen up to 12,3 inches, connectivity for mobile devices, a 360-degree camera and, thanks to the 2021 renewal, the most complete team of driving assistants.

The BMW iX3 in video

Rivals of the BMW iX3

Despite its youth, the BMW iX3 has before it an important collection of rivals to stand up to. Models of similar cut, that is to say Premium electric SUV. Bearing this in mind, the closest opponents to the German are: Audi e-tron, Jaguar I PACE, Mercedes EQC y Tesla Model Y. In addition to them we can add models that do not have that premium cut, such as the skoda enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4 y Ford Mustang Mach E.

Highlight

internal quality
Electric system
Equipment

To improve

High weight
Sale price
Limited mechanical range

BMW iX3 Price

When it comes to checkout, electrical technology is not cheap to pay for. If we add to this fact the size of the model and the premium character of the brand, we are talking about a considerably expensive product. The starting price of the BMW iX3 is 74.400 euros. That amount corresponds to a model with an Inspiring finish, without offers or promotions. The highest price, for the moment, corresponds to an iX3 with Impressive finish, whose starting price is 79.920 euros.