BMW iX3 40 price and specification confirmed: Entry-level luxury electric SUV undercuts the LCT
BMW has expanded its all-new Neue Klasse iX3 range with a new rear-wheel-drive entry model iX3 40 priced below the Luxury Car Tax threshold.
The German brand’s latest electric SUV will arrive in an increasingly competitive segment where it will tackle the recently announced Volvo EX60, the incoming Mercedes-Benz GLC EV, the Tesla Model Y and Y L and the Zeekr 7X (among others!).
Priced from $89,900 before on-road costs, the new BMW iX3 40 undercuts the dual-motor iX3 50 xDrive by $20,000.
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However, it is still more expensive than the recently revealed Volvo EX60 P6 Ultra, which is due in Australia later this year from $86,990 before on-road costs. It is also undercut by the Tesla, Zeekr and numerous other potential rivals including the Audi Q4 e-tron, refreshed Lexus RZ and even the the new Cadillac Optiq.
The new variant joins the iX3 50 xDrive, which launched this month as BMW’s first Neue Klasse model and introduced the brand’s next-generation EV architecture, software and battery technology.
Unlike the dual-motor flagship, the iX3 40 uses a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 235kW and 500Nm. BMW claims it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 200km/h.
Power comes from an 82.6kWh usable battery pack featuring BMW’s latest sixth-generation cylindrical lithium-ion cells, which the company says offer around 20 per cent greater energy density than the prismatic cells used in previous BMW EVs.
BMW claims the iX3 40 can travel up to 635km on the WLTP cycle, giving it one of the longest driving ranges in the premium electric SUV segment. The figure trails the headline 805km WLTP claim of the flagship iX3 50 xDrive, but comfortably exceeds many rivals currently on sale in Australia.
Fast charging is another key selling point. The iX3 40 uses BMW’s new 800-volt electrical architecture and can charge at up to 300kW on a DC fast charger, allowing a 10-80 per cent recharge in as little as 21 minutes. BMW says up to 300km of range can be added in 10 minutes under ideal conditions.
The iX3 40 retains the same Neue Klasse design language as the flagship model, including BMW’s reimagined kidney grille, slim lighting signatures and minimalist interior design.
Inside, the SUV features BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive system and Operating System X, which projects key vehicle information across a full-width display spanning the windscreen base from A-pillar to A-pillar.
BMW says the Neue Klasse platform introduces a completely new electronics architecture built around four high-performance computers that manage driving dynamics, automated driving functions, infotainment and vehicle systems.
A new “Heart of Joy” control unit sits at the centre of the vehicle’s dynamic systems, with BMW claiming significantly faster responses and improved driving precision compared with previous generations.
Importantly, the entry-grade iX3 40 arrives with a generous equipment list. Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, a Harman Kardon sound system, panoramic glass roof, heated electric front seats, wireless phone charging, BMW Panoramic Vision, Driving Assistant Plus, Parking Assistant Plus, head-up display and Veganza upholstery.
BMW says Australian deliveries of the iX3 40 will commence during the fourth quarter of 2026.
BMW iX3 40 key specifications
Price: $89,900 before on-road costs
Powertrain: Single electric motor, rear-wheel drive
Power: 235kW
Torque: 500Nm
Battery: 82.6kWh usable
Range: Up to 635km (WLTP)
0-100km/h: 5.9 seconds
DC charging: Up to 300kW
10-80% charge time: 21 minutes
Australian arrival: Q4 2026
