BMW iX3 SUV 2021 in-depth review: The perfect all-rounder? / Electrifying

Read more about the new BMW iX3 on Electrifying.com here: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
BMW may have stolen an electric-powered lead on its rivals with the introduction of the i3 hatchback and i8 supercar, but this new iX3 is the start of the next generation for the Bavarian firm. And, with the i4 and iNext also arriving in showrooms in 2021, BMW is about to strengthen its position in the EV market even further.
Aside from a few electric-blue highlights and a ‘filled-in’ front grille, you could be forgiven for not immediately recognising the iX3 as just another member of the standard range.
With an 80kWh battery, the iX3 boasts the equivalent of 286bhp driving the rear wheels (there’s no four-wheel drive version). Fully charged, there’s a range of 285 miles and it comes with a Type 2 cable and three-pin household cable as standard.
On a 150kW rapid charger, BMW claims that drivers can add 62 miles of range in just 10 minutes with a 0 to 80 per cent charge in 34 minutes. Probably more realistic is the fully-charged time of 7.5 hours on a domestic wallbox.
Ginny Buckley finds out if it's an electric SUV you should be considering in 2021.
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If you like the BMW iX3 then we think you should also check out:
Mercedes EQC review: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
Volvo XC40 Recharge review: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
Tesla Model Y review: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
Thanks for joining us on our journey to 'Clear the Air' around hybrid and electric cars, we have new videos arriving every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (a mix of studio explainers and road tests) so please subscribe to the channel to find out more! And please let us know what you'd like to see us film or talk about, we'd love to hear from you.
Please share the video and subscribe to the channel if you like it!
This video was shot by Manos Kountouris at wefilmcars.com
If you like the videos check out Electrifying.com where you'll find the latest reviews, our EV Dictionary and the latest news about Formula E from Nicki Shields.

[@gerrypower9433]

Silence is golden.

[@fastfreddy19641]

After decades of trying to get engines quiet, they make a noise on purpose. Stupid.

[@lewisjohnston6831]

I love it when you bring out another brilliant video, wonder what Mat (With one T) will do to try and keep up.

[@robwinder5415]

I've got an iX3 M Sport pro plus, which is the next generation of the car reviewed. Although, it is essentially the same with different wheels and the blue body work has disappeared. It's a great drive and on a long journey the adaptive cruise control and lane assistance make long journeys quite enjoyable. If I set the cruise control to 60MPH I can get 4 miles/KWH. As for the synthetic sound (not sure about the earlier model) this only comes on when you are in sports mode and I believe this can be turned off in the settings. I personally drive in eco pro mode to increase the range and the acceleration is still better than the diesel X3 I had previously.

[@bimlico]

Brilliant review Ginny. Looks a really cool car. I totally agree though, that the piped in engine noise is garbage. Is there a way to disengage it?

[@kiprasmilaknis5725]

I enjoy the silence of an EV. They can add artificial sounds, but then there should be an option to turn it off.

[@mowcowbell]

Or add the ability to use custom downloaded sounds. Darth Vader march would be my choice.

[@buddy1155]

I like to make my own driving noises.

[@Mrdanxx1]

You can turn it off of you want to

[@casperhansen826]

@@buddy1155 too bad they don't install wipers on the inside!

[@Remigius0815]

EVs are not silent, they are at least as noisy as combustion engine cars.

[@EVevals]

I'm ok with fake noises if you can choose to turn them on or off, or better yet adjust the volume as you see fit. Have you found that to be an option in any EVs?

[@BHBeckenbauer]

Love this! Better range than the eTron and EQC and £20k cheaper

[@MatteoTortello_com]

Silence is no doubt a plus of BEVs! ♻️🔋👏💪🔝❤️

[@AI_Trainer1024]

If it wasn't for the fact that I just brought a model 3, this is pretty good and i would buy it

[@Banyan314]

Silence is golden

[@jernej55]

Love the sound 😍

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

and only £61K, I'll rush out and buy 2

[@TriviaChallenge]

You can easily buy a £61k SUV that runs on petrol or diesel and spend a fortune filling it. Might as well buy the EV that costs pennies to run.

[@IDann1]

As long as you can option the sound off, no worries.if not..turn the radio on

[@IgorsPlay]

Will be there 4x4 iX3 ever?

[@bodrulm1]

Brilliant car! Great to drive, drives like a sports car, quiet, great suspension. Interior is class leading. I test drove it today and will be ordering one in M Sport trim.

[@Asif-Haque]

I suppose differentiated noises may encourage or help with getting drivers acquainted with one-pedal driving. Once used to the habit, it'd be a matter of pulling out a fuse 🥴.

[@FlyTechGuy]

Love to see the bigger car companies expand their fleet of EVs!

[@macjim]

The i3, not from the outset as it had the range-extender model.

[@nickporter4279]

I like the noise electric motors can make, very Star Trek - just find that you tend to hear it too rarely (most production EVs) or too much (VW ID.R, Rimac/Tajima E-Runner). What I'd really like is for an EV to have an acoustic channel between the motor and the cabin, but have a valve to seal it off at low revs. Pretty close to what ICEV manufacturers already do with exhaust noise. But no, not a fan of synthesised noise.

[@neilthompson3568]

The only artificial sounds on an electric car should be on the outside of the car to warn pedestrians of a car approaching. One of the joys of electric driving is the quiet cabin.

[@pedropereira6976]

I kinda like but I would appreciate if there’s an option to turn off and appreciate the silence😁😁

[@Mrdanxx1]

There is

[@beinlikeerrth]

I definitely LOVE the silence- pumped in audio is tacky - keep it quiet 😊

[@atleyri]

Do you need AWD when there is snow? Didn't know that! ( I'we been driving for 38 years i Norway (6 months of winther every year) with only RWD and FWD)

[@Lewis_Standing]

In the UK were rarely as well prepared, hardly ever use winter tyres let alone snow tires / chains etc and often poorly grit the roads. I expect you Norwegians are much more prepared for Winter?

[@outdoorolli5754]

People that can afford a new iX3 may have the expectation, that their car brings them forward even in theiddle of the worse blizzards.

[@pragmatastic]

You're right, Ginny: no to fake noise!

[@pcr8918]

Rolls said the ticking clock was their problem. If good enough for them....and who owns RR now?

[@mikegipson1224]

Artificial engine noises are, yes, silly! You can usually switch them off though :)

[@stevenpeeterskoradin476]

As with this car. It can be turned off. If you put it in Sport mode it does turn on automatially.

[@shohoku10]

option to turn off the artificial noise please :(

[@nasaspacemanwho6711]

Can the fake artifical sound be turned off?

[@jackfadell]

100% with you, Ginny. Fake sounds should be able to be turned off. I prefer the silence of an EV too.

[@alexdalgleish1061]

Could you buy year old IX3 for price of a new Kia e-Niro?! Might be worth it then. Unlikely though.

[@RemmoSRednaS]

Those sounds are easily turned off. No sounds in my iX3! That’s THE benefit of an EVC! ;-)

[@user-gd4yk4fc9g]

How do you do this?

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

It looks more like a hybrid - not technically but they used the old X3 platform and engineered their latest EV technology inside to bridge the time gap until the real EV´s are coming out end fo 21 - th i4 and the iX

[@martinlang9615]

I was keen on this as I am in the market: such a silly idea making noise when that’s one of the reasons I’m buying electric only. Such a shame as 80kW is very nice. The Citroen eC4 is still my favourite. Come on Citroen Australia, import it, please!!

[@andrewwoodward2892]

Can it be turned off

[@andrewdyson4255]

Silence is golden but it doesn’t matter at that price. Well beyond my pocket I’m afraid

[@foxylady1048]

I think the noise piped into the cabin is not good. That’s one reason why I brought an EV.

[@FlyingFun.]

No noise inside please, canbe turned off I'm sure. Not my cup of tea, 60k for a big posh box on wheels lol. I like small fast fun transport personally which generally has the advantage of being cheap all round like me.

[@timcostello4408]

Artificial noise with an electric car? Really BMW ..... such a shame I only hope there is a button to turn that off. Excellent review for what is a wonderfully practical sign of the future

[@kevindevlin7025]

You can turn it off, so no problem there.Some like the sound effect, so no problem there neither. Sorted!

[@DrazenKlisuric]

I don't know anyone who drives with music off, so I don't get why manufacturers put those sounds in electric cars. Here, just people who think there is something wrong with the car drive without music :)

[@acvelo5963]

a BMW X without all-wheel drive? why attach the X moniker

[@Simonio8]

X is the moniker for BMW's SUV range like X1, X3, X5, X6 & X7 like M is for their sports car division.

[@Blazesqual]

If only you could disable the Active Sound Design.. oh wait, you can.

[@oliverstemp9132]

Extra noise might be more satisfying. But should be optional

[@planespeaking]

Fugly though, isn't it?

[@josepha.p.2639]

I like her presentation style.

[@nickfontannaz4176]

Turn off the noise, please BMW

[@savasgenc1877]

Horrible grille and rim desing. Oh, and let's not forget that obnoxious start-stop sound.

[@MikeNunn-LWM]

I like the quietness of electric drive, why try to make an EV sound like an ICE?

[@jonpetter8921]

It s for safety purpose.

[@micheleheynes4298]

EV tells me, I will only hear the road and wind noise if the insulation isn't that good. No other unnecessary synthetic noises wanted.

[@crm114.]

I wonder the real world range is? Less than 200 miles, I’ll bet.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

It doesn't matter because it will flop, people are waiting for the iX.

[@brucekennedy5274]

EV database states 225 miles (all year average, mixed motorway and city driving) which sounds about right. Not bad for what it is (ie a big box on wheels) but not exactly cutting edge efficiency.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

@@brucekennedy5274 People are not satisfied unless they get 1000 miles of range per charge. If you need to travel far, buy a damn plane ticket.

[@JeanPierreWhite]

@@mamadouaziza2536 And when a 1000 mile car is available the same people will want more.

[@rml695]

Artificial engine noises really are silly.

[@martshearer498]

As silly as faux grills.

[@rml695]

@@martshearer498 yep

[@l33rushy25]

should be silent. then your radio or Spotify will sort that out on you journeys 😁

[@tsb3093]

These wheels add another 6 miles to the range...mmm I would have thought having wheels would have increased the car’s capability beyond that... or wait a minute is that 6 miles extra compared to other unspecified wheels...providing a comparative advantage without saying what it’s compared to is not really a useful comment is it?

[@Sam-mn4vl]

It's good, but its competition of Tesla Model Y and VW ID 4 are much better. I'd recommend using EV database website for more real ranges as NEDC range is never correct.

[@kaiser1966]

Nice car, but it can’t tow my caravan 😢

[@johnhaynes9910]

Certainly not a "looker" whatever else it is.

[@johnbeech1689]

nice to have it but must be able to turn it off

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Carwow got 2.2miles/kWh. What did you achieve? Reviewers need to be informing us of the efficiency of the ev, so we can make a properly informed choice. Shoving a huge battery into an inefficient massive vehicle is surely more damaging to the environment than a smaller battery into an efficient vehicle (see Tesla's3). And yet we're being misled to believe that ALL EVs are planet saving. Please, it's really important

[@middelkooptube]

there is a full video from a test drive in Germany: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpylkIWCn6t0ppI they reach 14.5kWh/100km - 23,3kWh/100 miles. and with 74kW available battery: do the math :-)

[@pigeonpoo1823]

@@middelkooptube thank you. Fairly realistic of urban driving. He rarely touches 60mph tho, but Carwow did a run til empty to give motorway efficiency.

[@middelkooptube]

@@pigeonpoo1823 Hi Newtona1, the 2.2 miles/kWh mentioned above? Would mean 260KM (target is 460). that seems weird. I have seen several journalist doing (short) highway test, like 100KM, and extrapolating numbers. They came to around 380 to 430KM. Depending on speed (100 vs 130 km/h). I think we will only know all the variables as soon as TeslaBjorn is going to get his hands on one. He does extensive tests, and compares it with other cars using same variables. (check out his channel on KZbin, quite interesting)

[@Leos-World]

@@middelkooptube and that with AC on.

[@robwinder5415]

Driving carefully on a hot day this week I got 4 miles/KWH on a 250mile journey. Knocking round the doors its about 2.5 - 2.8 miles/ KWH

[@casperhansen826]

The artificial sound is to hide the rattling.

[@rc666]

A liter is what you piss after a pint of bitter.

[@JulianParry1]

Artificial noise is bonkers. As is an artificial grill. Fake news 🤬

[@outdoorolli5754]

Do BEVs have to look like cough drops?

[@acvelo5963]

no need for artificial sound

[@oscare.quiros6349]

Only time will tell about a Chinese built BMW. I will wait a few years.

[@outdoorolli5754]

I don't think quality will be an issue, but batteries performance will soon jump to much higher levels. Chinese cars are an issue - BMW didn't answer my question on how much of the amount I pay for the iX3 they hand forward to Chinese authorities by tax. Could be enough, to hire an additional secret service guy to control the Chinese people...

[@michaelk.920]

Why does everybody in the blogger world has to conclude with a positive summary? It is a yesterdays concept, overpriced, underperforming piece of shame. I would prefer an eGolf.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

Yes, its not a great EV, just an ICE car with an electric motor and battery. Sub par range and performance. BMW should not release this car because they have a real EV crossover coming the iX.

[@outdoorolli5754]

Sorry Michael, this car can carry IC, BE and FC drive trains - it's a flexible concept to an unforseeable future and will be profitable over its life cycle. By the way: Not everybody is a nerd and has to spread strong words about how much better their car is than their neighbor's - some people just have style.

[@thomasrueesch7310]

Agree, just need something to stay in the sales game in china...and if the sell a few elsewhere why not. The majority of the sales fokus has gone of to china...and is no longer europe. We will just get what is liked in china...and we'll choose the best left-overs

[@beaublue1625]

I have an I Pace and you can see & tell why it’s been the No 1 EV for the last two years right up until the Taycan was launched. Just love the space ship acceleration sound in Dynamic mode. Let’s face it, if you are in an EV, why would you want to hear an artificial engine sound when you can have warp speed effects when you floor the pedal 🚀

[@tonyp741]

Artificial noise piped inside is a terrible idea, I drive electric for the shear silent pleasure.

[@andrekleyn727]

The whole idea with electric vehicles is that silence you're after. Hopefully BMW have an override function to cancel out that artificial mambo-jumbo sound? Otherwise, a premium vehicle but at a rather hefty price unfortunately.

[@middelkooptube]

Please spec a normal X3 to the same features the iX3 has a standard. The difference is small

[@Mugurlu]

I hate the ix3 s artifical engine sound!!

[@tsb3093]

“...and a whopping...litres with them folded flat”...but they are not flat are they? Better though than the MG5 and the ID3 where the ‘flat’ seat backs look like they are at least 30 deg to horizontal. Anyway at £58,000, I’m well and truly out.

[@kozzae44]

Everyone knows Whot it means !!! That was born after1970 !!! Doh !

[@thomash2806]

I wouldn’t buy a car with artificial engine noise you can’t switch off...

[@MS-ql6yj]

You can switch it off

[@brocluno01]

It's still a Beemer. It'll break and it'll cost a fortune to fix, if you can get the parts ... They are so far from the 2002ti and the 325ix in all their current vehicles that they might as well be another company. A Beemer "x" w/o AWD is just a poser. If you can't engage AWD, why on earth would have this ?? Certainly not to try to go the Sierras to go skiing ...

[@patrice169]

Certes , c'est une belle voiture, mais vu le tarif excessif pour une autonomie médiocre, TESLA peut dormir tranquille.... surtout avec la classe Y qui va certainement faire un carton ! Si la BMW I4 sort avec le même tarif, j'ai peur pour l'avenir de la marque. (c'est un fan BMW qui vous le dit)

[@tomquimby8669]

Since when was BMW building cars that don't follow the crowd? they are the crowd. 1 , 3 , 5 , 7, X series are at plague levels. They wasted a load of money trying to be green with the i3 (how do you recycle carbon fibre)? The bottom line is for the money and change you can get a safer car fitted out with all the latest kit from Asian manufacturers.

[@buddy1155]

Carbon fibre is recycled by using it in carbon reinforced plastic or concrete.

[@paulwilliams6827]

Big no to EV sounds annoying

[@Lewis_Standing]

Artificial noise is garbage

[@kanch8276]

artificial engine "noise" --- its noise!, doesn't make sense to me. BMW is acting plain darn stupid.

[@michaelpoole909]

I believe electric cars should emit sufficient noise to alert pedestrians on narrow country roads without footpaths or else there will be serious injuries.

[@Tom55data]

The early adopters of EV's (ie not Norway at > 60% BEV sales), want something very different in an EV that is quiet and efficient and cheap to run - with good aerodynamics. This car is too early for the UK, but OK for Norway as the "laggards" (official term who are the last to adopt new something) are now buying large inefficient SUV's with artificial noises to remind them of noisy ICE cars. I hope this takes sales from EQC and e-tron which are the extreme end of large and pointless (inefficient, heavy, poor driving dynamics, high roll over statistics, inverse Tardis qualities, not fit for purpose in European towns) which not selling in early adopter markets - the EQC has even been withdrawn for the USA. They are now selling in Norway as the laggards realise they have to buy BEV, but it will be a while in most markets.

[@johnknight9150]

It's alright, X3s weren't built in Germany anyway. BMW use to make the X series in Alabama, iirc. Other than that, they would build in Mexico, Austria... all over the place. I'm not a fan of any of BMW's ahem, "off-roaders", but I'm not bothered that this is built in China; from the nasty reported long-term owner experience over the last fifteen years it's not like the build quality could drop substantially either way.

[@Leos-World]

You mean in Spartanburg South Carolina USA

[@johnknight9150]

@@Leos-World Probably, I was going from a New Zealand car mag in the 2000s! ;)

[@Leos-World]

@@johnknight9150 Not probably, I know... Mercedes-Benz have the plant near Vance, Alabama USA :-)

[@johnknight9150]

@@Leos-World A turn of phrase. The publication said, "would you buy a car built by people who voted for George W. Bush?". ;-)

[@Leos-World]

@@johnknight9150 HAHA :-)

[@PK-gs3xo]

What ? This is made in China ?

[@CMCNestT]

Nothing more stupid than saying since we accept Chinese made phones we should accept Chinese made cars. We don't travel at high speed inside a phone.

[@tural7242]

To be honest with you guys, this is an AWFUL car! Dated interior, fakest grills, not electric, not thermic, not environmentally friendly materials!

[@buddy1155]

Mentioning that an iPhone is also build in China didn't really increased my confidence in the build quality, never had an iPhone that lasted longer than 2 years (still got a 25 year old perfect working Nokia)

[@jonpetter8921]

The chance is everything you use daily are made in China....

[@USUG0]

ugly look sloppy EV conversion sluggish performance so .... cool!

[@mamadouaziza2536]

Its not a great EV SUV by a long shot and its no wonder BMW will not sell it in North America.

[@jonpetter8921]

Probably better built than anything from Tesla

[@mamadouaziza2536]

@@jonpetter8921 There is no doubt that its better built than a Tesla but this SUV is lacking in technologies and in battery charging speeds, range etc.. Its merely an ICE X3 with a battery, it would be laughed at in the USA. Just have to wait for the iX.. The Ford Mustang Mach e has taken the media by storm in the USA knocking VW's iD.4 off the headlines. The Model Y and the Mach e are the two mid priced SUVs to beat.

[@jonpetter8921]

@@mamadouaziza2536 You need to see it from the bigger picture. VW ID 4 are build for the masses and will compete with RAV4, CRV, not Model Y or Mach E, ID 4 costing less than both Model Y, Mach E and with 3 years free charging on EA charging point. VW will build around 500 000 ID 4 throughout 2025 i don t think Ford can beat that number. Still ID 4 will pull you faster on highway than any ICE cars with the same price range. When it comes to the IX3 i think it s more for chinese market at this point. I think it will sell quite good in Europe as well. Build quality is decent and range is not always an issue.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

@@jonpetter8921 I'm looking at the bigger picture. I know BMWs are not massively produced and are pretty much a premium luxury car. The iX3 is built on the same platform as the X3 and this is not what Americans want, they want a BEV that is purposely built from the ground up and it must meet or exceed a Tesla in order to fairly compete in the States. Like I said before I have no doubts about its build quality, its just not for the USA market since the ICE X3 is already here. BMW is on shaky ground in the USA pertaining to its EVs, the i3 got off to a great start but BMW disabled a lot of the car's features in the USA and BMW failed to develop the car beyond a few minor tweaks in 6 years. If the i3 had a 200 plus mile range, faster charging speeds, people would definitely pay the $55k BMW wants for it. That iX better bring it and bring it good, looks like BMW North America has pushed up its marketing campaign for it.

[@jonpetter8921]

@@mamadouaziza2536 Compared to Tesla and VW Group, BMW is a little bit behind in EV race, but they did some smart move lately. I think the ix3 can do well in european market. And the IX has potential worldwide. E tron did pretty well becoming the most sold SUV EV worldwide, the IX has potential.

[@philippefagnant1841]

The only noise i wanna hear is your beautifull british accent,artificial noise is pointless and stupid!

[@MrMarcob73]

BMW designer are often drunk! This car is without doubt ugly.

[@outdoorolli5754]

So this seems to be a proper way of operation, since the X3 is BMWs best selling car.

[@MrMarcob73]

@@outdoorolli5754 doen’t mean because is sellimg well that is no e deisgn! Often loyal customers buy products has a blind, rolex is selling well and it has a very average design, average moviment, not innovation..no conolication ..and high price! They call it marketing!

[@kevindevlin7025]

@@MrMarcob73 beauty is in the eye of the beholder, horses for courses, humans have different tastes.

[@smcgeminimustang]

Terrible review!Too much posturing and face pulling and not enough detail.

[@tinimaudedil8373]

Fantastic 😍💋 💝💖♥️❤️