The new BMW iX3 is more than just another luxury crossover SUV. It is the result of years of effort and engineering expertise. It is the first vehicle built on BMW's new Neue Klasse (New Class) platform. It offers a compelling blend of range and power, along with handling far more advanced than your typical electric vehicle (EV), a set of improvements that will make it one of the most appealing EVs on the market for those seeking a small luxury SUV.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The iX3's new platform features a completely redesigned battery pack, offering higher energy density and lower costs compared to earlier models. It also includes a pair of more efficient electric motors driven by a new control system that BMW evocatively calls Heart of Joy, enabling much more precise control of how the SUV delivers its power. If that is not enough, the completely new interior is packed with displays.
The BMW iX3's official pricing and trim packages have not been finalized. BMW had not announced the final pricing for the iX3 at the time of publication, except that its starting price will be around $60,000, plus the destination charge to ship the SUV from the Debrecen, Hungary, assembly plant to a local dealership.
For this 2027 iX3 review, BMW provided a test vehicle equipped with the iX3 50 xDrive trim and the following significant options:
Photo: Tim Stevens
Design appeal is highly subjective, but I believe people will have strong opinions about the iX3's look. BMW has not shied away from controversial designs lately. This one is no different, bearing little resemblance to its other cars, new or old.
The company's most recognizable hallmark, its kidney grilles, are here, but they are oddly shaped and dominate a new grille positioned between a set of sweeping headlights. The familiar blue-and-white roundel logo is inset in a small groove running the length of the hood, matched by a similar one on the rear hatch.
It is a boldly styled SUV, and I admit I did not care for it much at the start of my day behind the wheel. However, after a few hours of driving and stopping to take photos, I found myself warming up to it, to the point where I genuinely liked its look by the end of the day.
There is even more to discuss on the inside, including the huge Panoramic Vision display I will cover shortly. When it comes to comfort, the iX3 leaves little to complain about. For a compact SUV (an inch longer, but narrower and not as tall as the 2025 X3), the iX3 feels surprisingly spacious inside, with plenty of head- and legroom both up front and in the back.
The iX3 seats five overall. Three across in the second row is a realistic option thanks to the ample space and the flat floor made possible by the iX3's architecture. There is even more room up front, where the seats are heated and offer a full range of massage options.
Materials throughout are top-notch, with the M Sport package edition I drove blending both leather and microfiber to create an understated yet refined look. There is also plenty of space for cargo, with 30.4 cubic feet in the rear and 65 cubic feet if you fold down the second row of seats.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The iX3 marks the debut of BMW's new BMW Operating System X infotainment system. It covers all the essentials, including:
However, like much everything else in the car, the interface here marks a significant change from what we have seen before. The trademark iDrive wheel is gone, so the only ways to interact with the car's software are through the 17.9-inch angled touchscreen above the dashboard or the new and improved voice assistant.
Say "Hey, BMW," and you can give any number of commands, from adjusting car settings to asking for directions. I told the virtual assistant that my feet were cold, and it turned up the heat. I said I needed a hospital, and it provided a list of the closest ones. Curiously, when I said I was hungry, it got confused, but when I asked for a list of nearby restaurants, it gave me 10 options within a few seconds.
That is all fun, but the main highlight here is BMW's new Panoramic Vision. It is a sweeping display that spans from pillar to pillar across the top of the dashboard, acting as both a gauge cluster and an extended informational display. While the left side always shows key information such as current speed and charge status, the rest of the display is divided into customizable panels.
For my drive, I placed the trip information in the center to monitor efficiency and put Spotify on the right so I could see which track was playing. On one hand, it is a somewhat overwhelming amount of information, but it is presented in a way that does not distract. I quickly started to like the system.
And if that is not enough, there is an augmented-reality head-up display that will ensure you always know exactly where to find your next turn.
Media plays through a 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that delivers good sound and plenty of power to fill the cabin. However, its fidelity did not impress me.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2027 BMW iX3’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) system delivers 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque . That is a significant amount of power, but keep in mind it is heavier than it appears, weighing 5,038 pounds. That is over 800 pounds more than the current X3.
Still, that power is enough for the iX3 to feel quite sprightly. It accelerates quickly and, when you switch to Sport mode, it even starts to lose some rear grip during hard acceleration out of corners, giving it a lively feel that is uncommon for its segment. It can keep up with and outperform nearly anything else on the road.
It will outperform most cars in terms of compliance and comfort as well. The SUV I drove had larger 21-inch wheels, but it still excelled at absorbing the various road imperfections I encountered while driving it in southern Spain. Whether it was hulking speed bumps or deep potholes, the iX3 handled everything effortlessly.
Steering in the iX3 is pretty light in the default Personal mode, but switching to Sport mode makes it much firmer. That is nothing new, but it also seems to give more feedback, making it easier for me to tell when the front wheels were losing grip in the corners.
I definitely would not call the iX3 a sports car, even with the M Sport accessories. Still, it was much more engaging than I expected. It also offered good efficiency. BMW has not officially rated the vehicle on the American EPA testing cycle, but they said its 108.7-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack should get around 400 miles.
During my drive, which included going up a mountain and performing several acceleration tests, I nearly reached 3 miles per kWh, equating to a theoretical maximum range of 325 miles. Those who do not encounter hilly terrain and drive more smoothly will likely get even better results.
Photo: Tim Stevens
BMW's new iX3 features an upgraded version of the company's Active Driving Assistant active safety suite, which comes standard on the iX3 and includes a comprehensive range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and features, such as:
An upgrade to the Driving Assistance Professional package adds hands-off steering. Overall, the system functions quite differently from other systems currently available.
Enable the Highway Assistant system, and it will take over steering duties on the highway, similar to current BMWs. With your hands off the wheel, it will automatically suggest and execute lane changes with just a glance in either mirror, like some current BMWs.
However, when you press the brakes to slow down, the new system does not disengage. It stays active, so you can slow down to make room for the car ahead, then lift off the brake, and it will resume. You can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop if you want, and it will automatically return to speed once you lift off the brake.
It is designed to be more cooperative than previous systems, even automatically turning on the turn signal when you change lanes on the highway. This feature was somewhat inconsistent, working about three quarters of the time during my testing. Still, the lane centering and hands-off systems worked perfectly, as did the adaptative cruise control, which maintained a steady distance from the car ahead, whether on the highway or off.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the crashworthiness of the 2027 BMW iX3.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Acura RDX ranks highest in the Compact Premium SUV segment. The Lexus NX and the BMW X4 are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the BMW X4 ranks highest in the Compact Premium SUV segment. The Porsche Macan and the Jaguar F-Pace are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, the BMW iX ranks highest in the Premium Battery Electric Vehicles segment. The BMW i4 and the Rivian R1S are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2027 iX3 competitors include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
BMW's iX3 more than just another odd looking EV. It is a reboot for the company's electric ambitions and a great SUV. A completely new platform, featuring a new battery pack and a redesigned interior, introduces many opportunities for potential problems, but in the new iX3, everything comes together beautifully. The iX3 drives exceptionally well, and while not everyone will love its appearance, they ill warm up to it after taking one for a test drive.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to JDPower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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