BMW iX3 electric vehicle review finds traditional appeal with modern edge

Purpose-built electric cars from the famed German brand were slow to gain momentum, yet the iX3 could spark new interest in the BMW combustion engine alternative.

Thirty-odd years ago our carload of teenagers were waiting for the Toyota Corona station wagon to start chugging about 30km from home.

Back road travels trying to find a shindig, in the days well before GPS and iPhones, had drained the fuel tank and we were running on fumes.

Fast-forward to the electric car revolution and that same feeling returned in BMW’s iX3 that starts from an eyebrow raising $125,000 drive-away.

Having been behind the wheel of a raft of electric cars over the past few years, range anxiety has dissipated. But stepping into the iX3, with about 70 per cent battery capacity, the travel scope was below 200km.

With a similar distance to reach home, it felt like a leap of faith when hitting the highway. Yet with every kilometre travelled the range quickly change – strangely it increased along the journey.

Rather than offering an unrealistic figure, the range is based on individual vehicle driving habits. Fellow motoring writers must be lead foots, hence the reduced capacity, although a few days into our test the range forecast was pushing beyond 400km when fully charged.

That’s fresh thinking from BMW which went back to the electric drawing board for the China-built SUV.

The BMW iX3 has a potential range of more than 460km.

The famed Bavarian brand has changed tack on its “i” line-up due to slow sales. We loved the compact electric i3 which led the change over the past decade, as well as the i8 supercar, but buyers were less enamoured.

Now it’s using existing petrol-powered cars as the basis rather than completely purpose-built architecture.

During 2023, BMW will expand its electrified portfolio to 12 models when the iX1 arrives.

The X3 was a great option for electrification, it’s the biggest selling BMW in Australia at the moment. Well and truly ahead of the all-conquering 3 Series.

From the outside you’d struggle to pick the difference from its combustion engine counterparts – it’s differentiated by a lower ride height (not that even existing X3 owners would notice), enclosed grille along with blue features at the front and back.

Compared to the BMW X3 family, the iX3 wears a different grille.

Science fiction-inspired sounds accompanied the start-up, and the performance is near silent in all circumstances. Reasonably quick off the mark (but not Tesla punch you in the face fast), the 0-100km/h sprint is undertaken in 6.8 seconds, partly due to the fact it’s a heavy unit at 2.2 tonne with only one motor driving the rear wheels.

The steering is typically BMW direct, with the underfloor batteries delivering a low centre of gravity and compliant suspension which offers a luxurious ride without compromising the performance.

Helping to explain the hefty price tag is some of the best kit in the BMW candy in the store. Metallic paint, panoramic sunroof, an impressive 12.3-inch central display with wireless smartphone mirroring and inductive charging, 20-inch wheels and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo are among the standard features.

The BMW iX3 starts from about $125,000 on the road.

A five-year subscription to Chargefox facilities is complimentary, where super fast chargers can deliver 100km of range in about 10 minutes. More common 50kW chargers will do the same job in about 30min.

Most buyers would install a wallbox at home for faster charging which can replenish the battery from near empty in about 11 hours. A standard household power point takes more than double that time.

You can also lock, unlock or start the iX3 with your iPhone courtesy of a digital key.

Where BMW continues to fall short is warranty coverage that remains at three years and unlimited kilometres. Most mainstream and prestige manufacturers are at least five years. The battery is covered for eight years or 100,000km.

At least with BMW you can be confident of roadside assist which also runs for three years – that wasn’t an inclusion with the Corona.