BMW iX3 - BMW's First BEV SUV (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

BMW iX3 is the first BMW BEV SUV, and BMW’s second fully electric car. However the BMW iX3 is based on an internal combustion engine model, rather than being “Born Electric”. And not all i models have to be electric, which makes it a bit complicated. I’ll explain later, so you may want to stick around.
↔ BMW iX3 dimensions:
✔ length: 4734 mm
✔ width: 1891 mm
✔ height: 1668 mm
✔ wheelbase: 2725 mm
✔ boot/trunk: 510-1560 L
💲 BMW iX3 starting price: 66 000 euro
💲 BMW iX3 price as tested: 73 000 euro
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#MarekDrivesENG #BMWiX3 #BMW
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Index
0:00 intro
0:40 EV future
1:13 EV recent history
1:52 EV infrastructure
3:30 what is iX3
4:40 is iX3 for you?
5:38 real life range
6:20 recuperation
7:05 driving impressions
9:40 interior
10:30 boot/trunk
10:47 pricing
10:57 naming scheme

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive new video updates by e-mail: marekdrives.tv/eng

[@petertooth2831]

The BMW. Is not for me , but, I enjoyed your review and the dry humour.

[@richardjackson139]

It’s fab so I’m getting it soon 😊

[@andrewleventis8341]

excellent review

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Thank you kindly!

[@Niro.C]

Marek, thank you for another great review 🤘🏻 However, there is one important detail you did not mention: The BMW iX3 is MADE IN CHINA and imported to European markets with current Euro6 homologation.

[@pqvid]

...you mean, as opposite to other X3 produced in South Africa? BMW has factories around the world and uses them as it see better fits. The components also come from around the world, like electric motors are from Germany.

[@Niro.C]

@@pqvid the X3 is built in more than one country, the iX3 is only built in China as far as I know.

[@pqvid]

Quoting Wikipedia: „The first-generation X3 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria-who also manufactured all X3s under contract to BMW. BMW manufactured the second-generation X3 at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States. The third-generation of the BMW X3 is manufactured at BMW South Africa's Rosslyn plant“. What I mean is - who cares? That’s on BMW to provide production processes and quality control. Chinese doesn’t make it any better or worse than African. The battery supplier is in China, the largest EV market at the moment is in China - it seems only logical to me to place the production on a Chinese plant.

[@spacegreycoralred]

@@pqvid I would prefer China built to Spartanburg, South Carolina.

[@faradaycool4058]

@@spacegreycoralred True and good point.

[@victorvan8426]

I own it and this whole bespoke platform argument is non-existing in reality: its a car journalist thing. It is the best X3 to drive!

[@outdoorolli5754]

The iX3 not just a modified ICE-model with an electric drive train integrated but was from scratch designed as a platform suitable to ICE, PHEV, BEV and Fuel Cell propulsion.

[@MarekDrives]

In other words Jack of all trades, master of none :) That being said, I think the e-Golf was a much better proposition, than the ID.3.

[@sergeyeremin8764]

Looks like a mustbuy.

[@bokichko]

i like ur shirt :)

[@spacegreycoralred]

Great Shirt Marek, you make me proud!

[@dimekoza]

Hey Marek, great review once again. Can you tell me what is the music piece starting at 0:23 up to 0:42 ? Thanks.

[@MarekDrives]

It's Artlist.io stock. I don't keep track really.

[@pqvid]

Marek, thanks for the great review! Two things to notice: 1. I saw in your older Polish review that you tried the iX3 in the offroad, but it was not very good? My Polish is not good enough to figure out what you're saying there :) Could you please make a separate video on it, maybe with the existing footage? There's nobody else on KZbin with such kind of video, it could become very successful 😏 2. When you say iX3 is "boring" to drive -- I had a similar feeling, but as I tried to push it to its limits, it suddenly became a different kind of car. The limits are very far. So you can actually get some fun with it, but you'll need to push it harder to get there. Driving slowly it's a nice, comfortable car. Jakyll and Hyde, kind of :)

[@MarekDrives]

1. I said in it that it lacks AWD, so it failed my diagonal approach test. Later I said this hole under the bonnet looks as if they left space for a front motor in the future. And I said, what I repeated here that on a wet surface you can do a moderate drift. 2. I didn't say boring. I said "drives like a typical BMW". Perhaps I should have been a bit more specific as to what I mean by it. I think the current generation of BMW is as fun to drive, as it can be taking into account all the electronics. For example in the previous gen they were still figuring out the electric power steering, and the 3 Series was notorious for a dead spot in the center. So, overall it's a decent car, but all the EV limitations apply. And AWD (even as an option) wouldn't hurt in an SUV.

[@mortense8858]

So whats your overall assessment of the ix3? I see it as one of the best petrol to ev conversions, so above decent but to expensive (given it’s produced in China).

[@outdoorolli5754]

The iX3 not just a modified ICE-model with an electric drive train integrated but was from scratch designed as a platform suitable to ICE, PHEV, BEV and Fuel Cell propulsion. Since this is a premium car and the iX3 is very well equipped, the price is reasonable in accordance to what you get.

[@Aprill264]

I like your t-shirt

[@MarekDrives]

Thanks!

[@GavinByrneLand]

Another great video but, more than anything, thank you for the shirt. You're wonderful.

[@box.10]

I do like the look of the ix3 but I still LOVE the look of my iPace 400HSE. Quite a bit quicker and a much better range even on 22" wheels. EV6 might be on my next shortlist tho'.

[@MarekDrives]

The iPace does look stunning. I wish they updated the battery software and infotainment.

[@box.10]

@@MarekDrives Agreed, MY20 could have done with those improvements but you learn to live with them.

[@mjjferreira]

Electric cars are still VERY expensive and not all people have the possibility to charge it at work or at home. I will think about electric vehicles 5 years from now.

[@phil8437]

Good review Marek. Not a BMW fan. Too expensive and unreliable.

[@NemanjaPantelic]

Yikes, this one would not show up on my radar. Although you achieved relatively OK energy usage, the complete package seems... well, incomplete, especially compared to the latest competitors. Even if it was way better thought out and way more efficient, there is still one issue plaguing all EVs (but Tesla) - the reliability of the fast charging infrastructure. I don't think the other manufacturers will be able to crack this problem anytime soon, except for when Tesla finally opens up their Super Chargers for everyone. Until then, EVs will not be all rounders, but quite limited in their use. Thanks for the review!

[@kevinn1158]

I think BMW needs to change the horn sound and substitute in Star Wars or Star Trek sound effect. That’s my input on this one. This is not coming to Canada, so far it’s the i4 starting at 55k dollars. I’ll drive all of these new EVs when they ever arrive. No ID4, no Ioniq 5, no Q4, no EV6, no Ariya… yet.

[@TheBaldzhi]

One question: why why why why why not 4wd. I like this bmw but i am 100% sure that prices of a second hand ix3 in 2 years will be min 50% down. Same as i3. Well done review as always. I Like those small video effects in the beginning 👍

[@MarekDrives]

Probably they had to do something quick, and at a reasonable price point. With two motors the price would be too close to the upcoming iX.

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

This is going in uncool on my cool wall.

[@user-sy2mv6my8l]

Very good decision! :)

[@MarekDrives]

You pull no punches, sir.

[@MrAndrei4777]

PRice is too high for a casual owner. It is rather suitable as a company car, however there are other EVs, which costs less and give you more fun. This BMX iX3 is pointless in my eyes... They made it to show they are following the trend aswell, nothing more. I still didn't see any on the Belgian roads, maybe one

[@MarekDrives]

It's about the price of a similarly powered petrol X3. And no, I also haven't seen a non-press iX3 in the wild.

[@mkkm945]

BMW deserves to suffer in the transition to EVs in my opinion. They had the futuristic i3 almost a decade ago and then sat around waiting for Tesla to steal their lunch. Here in the US, the Model 3 is outselling the BMW 3 by 165,000 to 45,000 units (2020 full yr) in the identical price and size category. Model Y doing the same to X3/X4. BMW just slept through this decade and are now not even competitive with Hyundai/Kia in EVs (Koreans charge much faster). Good luck to them but I expect some tears and bloodshed.

[@MarekDrives]

It's fascinating, how Tesla attracted people, who would probably never pay BMW money for a car. By European standards Tesla is quite a big car for the city. BMW wanted a car for the metropolis of the future. They just came with it 20-30 years too early :) Also Tesla quality is... not on par with Audi, BMW, Mercedes. That being said, I know you're paying for R&D and access to the Supercharger network. I'd still buy a Hyundai/KIA over Tesla any day.

[@mkkm945]

@@MarekDrives I guess I wouldn't. Ioniq 5 is similar price to Model Y here, I'd pick the Y for better tech and efficiency even though Ioniq is damn close, especially with charging speed.

[@spencoir1]

As underwhelming as a stag do in a Wetherspoons

[@tonyr3091]

Why would anybody pay all that money for a BMW when you could have an Kia EV6 or Ionic 5 for less money. No thankyou Germany I’m afraid your days in the UK are numbered.

[@borinvlogs]

Exactly. This car is just too boring and it is not even cheap. These Germans are kidding themselves.

[@andersemanuel]

I get the impression its kind of nice, but not exciting.

[@MarekDrives]

About right. Like the regular X3. Perfect car, if you don't know what else to buy.

[@TEVAssociation]

Too bad its not imported here we need something below the ugly iX lol

[@MarekDrives]

🤣

[@Aprill264]

personally I prefer EVs that are just ICEs with an electromotor instead of a petrol or diesel engine, becuase I think most electric cars are ugly, while a lot of petrol cars still look good to me

[@MarekDrives]

It's a mixed bag. I like the Taycan.

[@Aprill264]

@@MarekDrives yeah there are some exceptions, for me the most notable once are the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Skoda Enyaq, and the Polestar 2, but in general I think purpose-built EVs tend to be uglier

[@borinvlogs]

Great review, but this car is just "yawn". I can't see how BMW is going to compete with other manufacturers that are making EVs from the ground up, but not adding batteries to fossil cars. I can see BMW is going to struggle to sell it car to be honest alongside many other new cars with ugly grilles. BMW is going downhill.

[@MarekDrives]

The iX is supposed to be ground up(ish). TBH VW's ground up ID series has been meh so far.

[@MariuszMazur]

The ENG videos should be published on a separate "Mark Jeździ" channel.

[@alliejr]

🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️ Compliance cars are a sin. Build a proper EV or don't bother.

[@MarekDrives]

They did. It's called the i3 :)

[@alliejr]

@@MarekDrives Agreed. The more is the sin of this car 10 years later.

[@vvp1002]

don't like....