First drive of the BMW iX3: “A new category” at the session

BMW has been bombarding us with teasers and bits and pieces about its next-generation EV platform, the Neue Klasse, for so long — a full two years ago — that I admit I’ve become a little numb to the hype. I have seen Displays the populated dashboardI talked to engineers endlessly about the completely retooled active safety suite, and even got… Get behind the wheel From the prototype machine.

All this in order to launch a crossover SUV, which is usually the most impressive of all car categories. But after spending the better part of a day walking around the final version of the iX3, I’m surprised to say it was worth it. This small SUV is a real game-changer on multiple fronts, a big step forward for BMW’s electric efforts, and a machine that might be good enough to take on… Electric car sales decline.

For automakers, platforms are key. They are the basic elements that allow the rapid and relatively inexpensive development of multiple new models without having to completely reinvent basic elements such as chassis, engines, suspension and software. Neue Klasse (meaning “new class” in German) is BMW’s latest and greatest new platform, intended to form the basis for a series of upcoming electric cars.

The first of its kind, the iX3 is a compact SUV roughly the same size as the current BMW X3, offering similar amounts of cargo and space for five passengers. This new platform lowers the battery to a low level and drives its two motors forward and backward. None of this is new to the electric car scene, but most previous BMW electric cars have relied on platforms designed for internal combustion. This was optimized for electric vehicles from the beginning.

There’s a usable 108.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack, powering the pair of motors that deliver a combined 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque through all four wheels. Maximum range will be about 400 miles (EPA testing has not yet been completed), 40 people more than Tesla’s longer-range Model Y.

BMW engineers tell me that the iX3’s new electrical architecture is really key, including more efficient motors and silicon carbide inverters. It charges faster too, with up to 400kW if you can find a plug with enough juice. That would be a NACS plugBy the way, this will be the first BMW model to support the Tesla-style connector.

A quick glance into the iX3’s cabin reveals the SUV’s biggest tech upgrade: the pillar-to-pillar panoramic view screen. Think of it as an ultra-wide heads-up display that acts as a gauge cluster on the left, but has six customizable sections in the middle and right where you can view anything from efficiency information to whatever’s playing on Spotify.

Never enough, the iX3 also has a physical 3D display that pops over the panoramic view, plus a 17.9-inch diamond-shaped touchscreen with dimensions of 3340 x 1440 for good measure. It’s over-exposed and a little disorienting the first time you get into the car, but I found it smooth enough not to be a distraction. If it all seems too much for you, it’s easy to disable the more expansive or attention-grabbing sections of the display.

The in-car experience is coupled with the upgraded My BMW app which not only allows you to park the car remotely from the outside and get a 3D view inside or outside the car; You can also queue playlists on your phone or give passengers the control to do the same from their own devices.

However, to experience the most significant tech upgrades, you need to be behind the wheel.

Regaining control from many of the most advanced active safety systems in today’s cars can seem like a struggle. Often times, a forceful pull on the wheel is required to bypass the track centering system, which can result in an unsettlingly tense experience for riders.

The iX3, on the other hand, is designed to be completely smooth. If you enable BMW’s Highway Assistant, it will steer itself in most situations on the highway, but you can just reach up and grab the steering wheel whenever you want. There is no resistance to overcome, and if you let it go the car will take over again.

Even if you want to change lanes, a car can help you there. When prompted, look in the mirror and the car will change lanes on its own. Or, if you grab the steering wheel and change lanes yourself, the car will automatically operate the turn signal for you.

The BMW system will also remain enabled if you press the brake pedal. You can come to a complete stop if you wish, then release the brake and the car will resume speed smoothly. The system stays engaged until you turn it off – or hit the brakes harder – so it works with you rather than against you.

This new security system seems a little strange at first. It took me a while to figure out when to turn it on and when to turn it off. But, after a few minutes on the highway, I got into the swing of things. It really felt like I was working collaboratively with the car rather than constantly turning its systems on and off. The hands-free system worked very well too, moving cleanly through traffic.

It wasn’t until I got onto some secondary country roads that I could get a feel for how well the iX3 drives. This dual-motor setup means full-time all-wheel drive, but the power split between these two engines changes depending on which driving mode you’re in. The car feels safe and secure in Personal mode, which is the normal driving mode. Drive it as hard as you want, and it has a calm, predictable nature that makes it easy to keep it pointed in the right direction without a lot of input from the driver.

Switch to Sport mode, and the tail twitches slightly under hard acceleration, making the iX3 feel like a traditional rear-wheel-drive BMW. This isn’t a rocket ship, but it’s fast and the suspension strikes a nice balance between comfortable, predictable handling and sporty response. Even the steering feels sharp and has respectable feedback, just like old BMWs.

In many ways, this all-new package feels like a return to form, a new SUV that has engaging driving and safety at its core but blends just enough luxury and sophistication to maintain its premium character. But it is not a sure success. For one thing, there’s the look. BMW has pushed the boundaries with many of its latest designs, and the iX3 certainly has an exciting style. After initially hating it, I have to admit that after a day behind the wheel, I quickly warmed to the iX3’s looks, especially when viewed from the rear.

Even if you like the SUV style, there’s still the question of cost. BMW hasn’t set official pricing for the 2026 BMW iX3 yet, but they will start around $60,000. That means it’s at least $10,000 more than a base gas-powered X3 SUV. With federal electric vehicle incentives no longer in effect, this delta may be a tough sell for many shoppers.

But, despite sharing most of the name, these two SUVs look worlds apart. With enough range and fast enough charging to eliminate range anxiety, plus an abundance of size, handling and comfort, an electric vehicle is the clear game for those with room in their budget.

Photography by Tim Stevens