BMW iX3 first drive: a ‘New Class’ is in session

BMW has been inundating us with teasers and tidbits of information about its next-generation EV platform, Neue Klasse, for so long – two years now – that I admit I’ve become a little desensitized to the hype. I’d seen the screens filling the dashboard, talked endlessly to engineers about the completely retooled active safety suite, and even tried out the steering wheel of a prototype machine.

All this for the launch of a crossover SUV, typically the most milquetoast of all automotive classifications. But after spending the better part of a day checking out the final version of the iX3, I’m surprised to say it was worth it. This little(ish) SUV is truly a game-changer on several fronts, a major step forward for BMW’s electric efforts and a machine that might even be good enough to overcome declining electric vehicle sales.

For automakers, platforms are essential. These are the building blocks that enable the relatively rapid and inexpensive development of several new models without having to completely reinvent basic elements such as chassis, engines, suspension and software. Neue Klasse (German for “New Class”) is BMW’s latest and greatest new platform, intended to form the basis for a series of upcoming electric vehicles.

The iX3 is the first of these, a compact SUV that’s more or less the same size as BMW’s existing X3, offering similar amounts of cargo and space for five passengers. This new platform reduces the battery and pushes its two motors forward and backward. None of this is new in the EV space, but most of BMW’s previous EVs were based on platforms designed for internal combustion. This has been optimized for electric vehicles from the start.

There’s a usable 108.7 kWh battery, powering the pair of motors that, combined, deliver 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Maximum range will be around 400 miles (EPA testing is not yet complete), about 40 more than Tesla’s longer-range Model Y.

BMW engineers told me that the iX3’s new electrical architecture is really the key, including more efficient motors and silicon carbide inverters. It also charges faster, up to 400 kW, if you can find an outlet with enough juice. This will be a NACS plug, by the way, as it will be the first from BMW to support the Tesla-style connector.

A quick glance inside the iX3’s cabin reveals the SUV’s biggest technological upgrade: the pillar-to-pillar Panoramic Vision display. Think of it as an ultra-wide heads-up display that acts like a gauge cluster on the left, but has six customizable sections in the middle and right where you can view anything from efficiency information to whatever’s streaming on Spotify.

That’s never enough, the iX3 also has a true 3D heads-up display that projects above the surround view, plus a 17.9-inch, 3,340 x 1,440 diamond-shaped touchscreen for good measure. It’s a display overload and a bit overwhelming the first time you get in the car, but I found it to be seamless enough to not be a distraction. If this all seems a bit much, it’s quite simple to turn off the most expansive or attention-grabbing display sections.

The in-car experience is combined with an enhanced My BMW app that not only allows you to park the car remotely from outside and get a 3D view of the car’s interior or exterior; You can even queue up playlists on your phone or give your passengers control to do the same from their own devices.

However, to take advantage of the biggest technological improvements, you have to be behind the wheel.

Regaining control of many of today’s most advanced active safety systems in cars can sometimes feel like a struggle. Often, a sharp tap on the steering wheel is necessary to override a lane centering system, which can result in a disconcerting jerky experience for your passengers.

The iX3, on the other hand, is designed to be completely transparent. If BMW’s Roadside Assistant is activated, it will steer automatically in most situations on the highway, but you can simply raise your hand and grip the steering wheel whenever you want. There’s no resistance to overcome and if you let go, the car takes over.

Even if you want to change lanes, the car can help you. When prompted, look in the rearview mirror and the car will change lanes by itself. Or, if you get behind the wheel and change lanes yourself, the car will automatically activate the turn signal for you.

The BMW system will also remain activated if you press the brake pedal. You can come to a complete stop if you want, then release the brake and the car will smoothly return to speed. The system stays engaged until you turn it off – or brake more aggressively – working with you rather than against you.

This new security system seems a little strange at first. It took me a while to figure out when it was on and when it was off. But after a few minutes on the highway, I got into the swing of things. It really felt like you were working collaboratively with the car instead of having its systems constantly switching on and off. The hands-free system also worked extremely well, moving cleanly through traffic.

It wasn’t until I took some back country roads that I realized how great the iX3 was to drive. This dual-motor setup means full-time all-wheel drive, but the power split between those two motors changes depending on what driving mode you’re in. The car feels secure in Personal, the normal driving mode. Drive it as aggressively as you want and it just has a calm, predictable nature that makes it easy to stay in the right direction without much driver intervention.

Switch to Sport mode, however, and the tail lifts a bit under hard acceleration, making the iX3 feel like a traditional rear-wheel-drive BMW. It’s not a rocket, but it’s quick and the suspension strikes a good balance between predictable, comfortable handling and sporty response. Even the steering is precise and offers respectable feedback, just like the BMWs of yesteryear.

In many ways, this all-new package feels like a return to form, a new SUV focused on driving and safety, but one that combines enough luxury and refinement to maintain its premium cachet. But it is not a guaranteed success. On the one hand, there is the look. BMW has pushed the boundaries with many of its latest creations, and the iX3 certainly has cutting-edge styling. After initially hating it, I have to admit that after a day behind the wheel, I quickly got used to the iX3’s appearance, especially from the rear.

Even if you like the style of the SUV, there remains the question of cost. BMW has yet to set an official price for the 2026 BMW iX3, only that it will start around $60,000. That’s at least $10,000 more than a base gas-powered X3 SUV. With federal incentives for electric vehicles no longer in play, this delta could be difficult for many buyers to stomach.

But, despite sharing most of a name, these two SUVs seem to be polar opposites. With ample range and fast enough charging to eliminate range anxiety, plus an abundance of volume, maneuverability and comfort, the electric vehicle is the obvious play for those with room in their budget.

Photography by Tim Stevens