2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive Review: The best car of 2025? Neue Klasse stakes its claim.

You’ve probably got the message by now. The second-generation BMW iX3 is important.

BMW talks about its first Neu Klasse EV in a grand way. It’s so advanced it’s skipped a generation of vehicle development, it’s the first truly software-defined vehicle, it’s symbiotic, it’s the heart of joy.

It’s cost 10 billion Euros – and counting – to get it to this point.

It says much about the sales centre of gravity of EVs that the first Neue Klasse model (with many dozens to follow) is a five seat, five-door electric mid-size premium SUV.

All this radical groundbreaking tech, software, hardware and design is encased in a family wagon rather than some wild sports car.

Basically, if you’re going to bet the future of the company on a vehicle concept, you’d better pitch it where there’s some sales volume.

READ MORE: 2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen confirmed: German luxury brand’s first production fuel cell model will sit alongside ICE, PHEV and BEV powertrains
READ MORE: Right-hand drive Neue Klasse BMW iX3 debuts; rear-drive electric SUV could be priced below $80,000 as BMW claims huge savings through “simplicity”
READ MORE: BMW’s mind-boggling spend on Neue Klasse EV: $17 BILLION Aussie dollars is a bigger budget than some small countries

2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive price and equipment

True clean sheet automotive designs don’t come along that often. But the BMW iX3 certainly fits that bill.

Pretty much the only thing it shares with its predecessor is its badge.

The platform, the massive 108.7kWh lithium-ion cylindrical cell battery pack that’s integrated into it, the front e-motor, the four fast and powerful computer ‘superbrains’ that run the car, the radical Panoramic iDrive instrumentation and infotainment concept that the driver interacts with and the clean, simple (apart from some light show gaudiness) exterior design that encases it all are all-new.

So the $120,000 estimated price (it’s a pretty good estimate apparently) for the debut model, the iX3 50 xDrive due in Australia mid 2026, seems like not a bad deal when you consider the old one topped out at $104,900 and it was a 210kW/400Nm rear-wheel drive.

Now, you’re talking about a 345kW/645Nm all-wheel drive, with a claimed 805km WLTP range and up to 400kW DC fast charging courtesy of Neue Klasse’s 800V architecture. That’s all around double – or more – the old model.

Even the country of origin differs. The old one was built in China, this one will come from a new, clean and green plant in Hungary.

We’ve dived into plenty of detail about what equipment the iX3 will come with here, so we won’t go there again except to say it should be well equipped.

There are some added wrinkles. Subscription payments for high-end safety gear might become a thing and while not confirmed, our iX3s will likely come standard with the predominantly cosmetic M Sport package. It’s the usual strategy BMW employs in Australia.

In 2027, expect both all- and rear-wheel drive iX3s with smaller batteries and cheaper prices to join to the iX3 range in Australia.

2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive : What we think

All the technology in the iX3 is certainly impressive, but it’s also far from the first EV to be rolled out boasting huge tech, new-age operating systems and breakthrough features.

However, calibration and tuning are something that new EV car-makers often struggle to get right.

Well, BMW’s prowess as a legacy car-maker certainly shows up here.

The iX3 drives, steers, stops and turns using a new computer it’s dubbed the Heary of Joy (yes, really) to integrate it all. And it works.

The variable electric-assist steering is beautifully weighted, accurate and has feel, or a very good digital simulation of it.

The regenerative braking system is spectacular. Friction brakes are only employed for emergency and high-performance stops and yet it is smooth, strong and modulated. Wooden brakes begone.

Those two driving highlights are backed up by impeccable body control, great traction from front- and rear-ends and enough thrust to satisfy any sane person.

Look, it’s not out there in realms of EV supercars like the Zeekr 7X and Tesla Model Y Performance with their sub three seconds 0-100km/h times. Instead it’s 4.9 seconds dash tells you what you need to know.

It’s fast without being excessively so. But when you combine what’s offered with the dynamic package it feels like it would drive rings around most of the opposition.

Or at least we think it would. Left-hand drive experience on smooth Spanish mountain roads and Ninja silent 130km/h-plus low flying on Spanish freeways aren’t a 100 per cent guide to Australian success.

In fact, riding in the backseat of the passively suspended iX3 was to experience some ride harshness. We’ll know pretty quickly if it’s NQR when it lands in Australia.

BMW’s got adaptive damping coming for the iX3 and it would be a great idea for Australia’s rocky roads.

And what of the interior and instrumentation? Well, Panoramic Vision is the big talking point. Essentially it moves the instrument cluster to the base of the windscreen.

All the key numbers are projected there closer to the eyeline than an orthodox speedo. So after some adaptation – it initially made the car feel wider because the screen stretches from pillar-to-pillar – it quickly made sense and was half forgotten.

That’s a common sign of great design. Tesla, this is what you should have come up with.

BMW’s made a point of retaining some buttons and dials within its infotainment set-up but there’s still too much drilling into the floating centre screen for things like air-con controls.

There’s a 3D-effect head up display that’s huge and a choice of squircle steering wheels – with disappearing ‘shy tech’ buttons – including one with vertical spokes, that suggest the front wheels are turned into a corner when the car’s actually going straight. It freaked some people out.

More prosaically but importantly, there is space and storage galore in this car front and back seat. Measuring up at 4782mm long, by 1895mm wide by 1635mm tall with a 2897mm wheelbase, the iX3 is a generously comfortable vehicle inside.

There’s a frunk in a BMW EV for the first time and the boot is huge, although sadly there is no spare tyre.

We will get run-flats in Australia but that’s not much compensation.

2026 BMW iX350 xDrive: Verdict

BMW bangs on about being the ultimate driving machine, so a new model woithout an engine, multiple gears or sound is a challenge.

And yet, for all the techno paraphernalia and new designs, the thing that truly stands out about the iX3 50 XDrive is the way it drives.

It’s different to an X3, an M3 or an old inline six 5 Series for that matter.

It is the BMW interpretation of how a properly calibrated, tuned and balanced EV should drive. Features like its excellent braking help define an excellence distinguishable from ICE.

This attention to detail, this care, this passion is what separates the iX3 from the many other medium electric SUVs that are out there. It feels proper and complete.

It is undoubtedly one of the best new vehicles – let alone EVs – launched globally in 2025.

SCORE: 4.5/5

2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive specifications

Price: $120,000 plus on-road costs (estimate)
Basics: EV , 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV
Range: 805km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 108.7Wh lithium-ion
Battery warranty: Unstated
Energy consumption: 15.1kWh/100km (WLTP)
Motors: 1 front, 1 rear, 345kW/645Nm.
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 400kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds