The 2026 BMW iX3 is the first series-production model of BMW’s Neue Klasse generation, a mid-size electric SUV that BMW unveiled in Munich on September 5, 2025 and builds at its new Debrecen plant in Hungary. It combines sixth-generation eDrive technology, an 800-volt electrical system and cylindrical battery cells with four central computers that BMW calls “superbrains” and a windscreen-wide Panoramic iDrive display. Two drive versions are on sale now. The iX3 50 xDrive has 345 kW (469 PS, about 463 hp), a 108.7 kWh usable battery, up to 806 km of WLTP range and 400 kW peak DC charging. The rear-wheel-drive iX3 40 has 235 kW (320 PS, about 316 hp), an 82.6 kWh usable battery and up to 637 km of WLTP range. BMW added the iX3 M60 xDrive on October 8, 2026, with 450 kW (612 PS, about 603 hp) and a provisional 754 km of WLTP range; it opens for orders at the end of January 2027. BMW’s autumn 2026 update also adds the iX3 40 xDrive (275 kW / 374 PS, about 369 hp, 515–621 km WLTP, 19.5–16.3 kWh/100 km), with production from February 2027. In Germany, BMW’s July 2026 price list starts at EUR 63,400 for the iX3 40 and EUR 70,900 for the 50 xDrive, both including 19% VAT.
Performance & Specs
The iX3 50 xDrive uses two motors: a highly efficient electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) on the rear axle and a compact asynchronous motor (ASM) at the front. Together they make 345 kW (469 PS, roughly 463 hp, since PS is the metric horsepower and about 1.4% smaller than the imperial one) and 645 Nm of torque. BMW quotes 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h. The iX3 40 drops the front motor and sends 235 kW (320 PS, about 316 hp) and 500 Nm to the rear wheels alone, good for 5.9 seconds and 200 km/h. The iX3 M60 xDrive, unveiled on October 8, 2026, also has one motor on each axle, with a new Gen6 EESM at the rear, and makes 450 kW (612 PS, about 603 hp) and 875 Nm, with 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. BMW’s English release prints the 612 figure as “hp”, but 450 kW equals 612 PS, the metric unit, so the imperial equivalent is about 603 hp. BMW marks all M60 figures as provisional. BMW’s autumn 2026 update also adds the iX3 40 xDrive (not the rear-drive iX3 40), with 275 kW (374 PS, about 369 hp), 515–621 km of WLTP range and 19.5–16.3 kWh/100 km, with production from February 2027; BMW has not stated a price for it in its release. Standard equipment includes adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, variable-ratio sport steering, an electronically controlled M Sport differential on the rear axle, M Sport brakes in red or blue and 21-inch M light-alloy wheels, with 22-inch M aerodynamic wheels as an option exclusive to this model. BMW’s price list notes that output depends on the state of charge of the battery. The “Heart of Joy” superbrain looks after the drivetrain, brakes, energy recuperation and steering sub-functions, and BMW says it processes information up to ten times faster than conventional control units. BMW adds that 98 per cent of braking manoeuvres can be handled by recuperation alone, and a Soft Stop function brings the car to a halt without jerk or noise.
| Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD BEV (rear EESM + front ASM), 800 V |
|---|---|
| Power | 345 kW (469 PS / 463 hp) |
| Torque | 645 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.9 s |
| Battery | 108.7 kWh usable |
| Range | Up to 806 km (WLTP) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Battery-electric (BEV), 800 V architecture, sixth-generation BMW eDrive |
|---|---|
| HORSEPOWER | iX3 50 xDrive: 345 kW (469 PS / 463 hp); iX3 40: 235 kW (320 PS / 316 hp); iX3 M60 xDrive: 450 kW (612 PS / 603 hp, provisional) |
| ACCELERATION | iX3 50 xDrive: 4.9 s; iX3 40: 5.9 s; iX3 M60 xDrive: 3.9 s (provisional) (0–100 km/h) |
| TOP SPEED | iX3 50 xDrive: 210 km/h; iX3 40: 200 km/h (electronically limited); iX3 M60 xDrive: 240 km/h (provisional) |
| DRIVETRAIN | iX3 50 xDrive: AWD (rear EESM + front ASM); iX3 40: RWD (rear EESM); iX3 M60 xDrive: AWD (one motor per axle, new Gen6 rear EESM) |
| BATTERY | iX3 50 xDrive: 108.7 kWh usable; iX3 40: 82.6 kWh usable; iX3 M60 xDrive: 108.7 kWh usable (provisional) |
| ELECTRIC RANGE | iX3 50 xDrive: 666–806 km WLTP; iX3 40: 534–637 km WLTP (depending on equipment); iX3 M60 xDrive: up to 754 km WLTP (provisional) |
| COMBINED RANGE | Not applicable (BEV) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,782 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm |
| Boot (seats up) | 520 L |
The iX3 measures 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,635 mm high on a 2,897 mm wheelbase, with track widths of 1,628 mm at the front and 1,633 mm at the rear. BMW designed the platform around electric power only, and says the rear bench has noticeably more legroom than in the previous-generation iX3. The boot holds 520 litres with the rear seats up and 1,750 litres with the 40/20/40 split rear seats folded flat, and a further 58 litres (liquid volume) sit in the storage compartment under the bonnet. With the optional electrically operated tow bar, the maximum braked towing capacity is 2,000 kg (80 kg nose weight), with 750 kg unbraked and a 75 kg roof load. BMW’s German price list gives an unladen weight of 2,160 kg for the iX3 40 and 2,360 kg for the 50 xDrive, including a 75 kg driver, and a payload of 540 kg for both. The iX3 M60 xDrive has the same exterior dimensions, but BMW has not published a weight or boot figure for it. BMW has not published a ground clearance figure in the sources we checked, so none is printed here.
| LENGTH | 4,782 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,895 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,635 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,897 mm |
| UNLADEN WEIGHT (EU) | iX3 40: 2,160 kg; iX3 50 xDrive: 2,360 kg |
| TOWING CAPACITY | 2,000 kg braked, 750 kg unbraked |
| CARGO VOLUME | 520 L (1,750 L seats folded) |
| FRUNK | 58 L (liquid volume) |
Charging & Battery
The iX3 runs on an 800-volt architecture, and BMW’s in-house battery-management system with an integrated switching matrix lets it also charge at 400-volt DC stations. The iX3 50 xDrive accepts up to 400 kW and BMW says it can add up to 372 km of WLTP range in ten minutes, or 309–372 km depending on configuration, and charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes. The iX3 40 accepts up to 300 kW, adds up to about 300 km in ten minutes and also quotes 21 minutes for 10–80%. The iX3 M60 xDrive also accepts up to 400 kW, and BMW says ten minutes at a suitable 800-volt DC charger adds up to 340 km of range; BMW gives no 10–80% time for it, and these M60 figures are provisional. BMW measures these times under optimal conditions, with battery and ambient temperatures of 29–33 degrees Celsius, so winter figures will be slower. AC charging is 11 kW as standard and 22 kW with the AC Charging Professional package, which fully charges the 50 xDrive in 5 hours 30 minutes and the iX3 40 in 4 hours 15 minutes. All capacity figures here are usable (net) energy as stated by BMW; Israeli press lists the 50 xDrive pack as 113.4 kWh gross, a different measure of the same battery. WLTP combined consumption is 19.4–16.1 kWh/100 km for the 50 xDrive (BMW Germany model page, October 2026) and 17.3–14.5 kWh/100 km for the iX3 40 (July 2026 price list), which includes charging losses. For the iX3 M60 xDrive, BMW lists 20.5–17.6 kWh/100 km (WLTP combined, provisional) and a 108.7 kWh usable battery, and 22 kW AC charging with the AC Charging Professional package (provisional).
| BATTERY | iX3 50 xDrive: 108.7 kWh usable; iX3 40: 82.6 kWh usable; iX3 M60 xDrive: 108.7 kWh usable (provisional) |
|---|---|
| AC CHARGING | 11 kW standard, 22 kW optional (iX3 M60 xDrive: 22 kW with AC Charging Professional, provisional) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | iX3 50 xDrive: up to 400 kW; iX3 40: up to 300 kW; iX3 M60 xDrive: up to 400 kW (provisional) |
| DC 10-80% TIME | 21 min (iX3 50 xDrive and iX3 40, BMW test conditions); not stated for the iX3 M60 xDrive |
Design & Interior
BMW calls the iX3 the first car to use its new design language, and the front end shows it most clearly. The kidney grille is now two tall, vertical sculpted shapes that BMW says pay homage to the original Neue Klasse of the 1960s, flanked by new headlights with vertical daytime running lights and a horizontal light signature across the full width. The side profile has large glass areas with hidden seals, a sloping roofline and flush door handles that extend as the driver approaches with the Digital Key. At the rear, L-shaped tail lights run across the mid-section and a new roof spoiler carries a central recess. Polarised Grey and Ocean Wave Blue are offered exclusively on this model, and the optional Iconic Glow lights up the kidneys. Inside, a floating, fabric-covered instrument panel flows into the door panels in a wrap-around cockpit, and the rear bench is a single sofa-like surface. Leather-free upholstery is standard: Econeer made from recycled PET in the UK specification and perforated Veganza in the US. A full-length panoramic sunroof is optional, and physical controls remain for the wipers, indicators, mirrors, volume, gear selector, parking brake, hazard lights and rear-window heating. BMW says about a third of the car is made from secondary raw materials.
Technology & Features
The iX3 is the first production car with BMW Panoramic iDrive. Panoramic Vision projects key driving information across the whole width of the windscreen from A-pillar to A-pillar, a free-cut central display sits next to the steering wheel and the new multi-function steering wheel is the main physical control point. An optional 3D Head-Up Display adds navigation and automated-driving information with spatial depth. It all runs on BMW Operating System X with remote software updates, BMW Maps with charging-optimised route guidance, and automatic battery pre-conditioning when a DC charger is set as the destination. A MAX RANGE function in the Efficient mode can extend range by up to 25 per cent by limiting drive power, top speed and some comfort functions, according to BMW. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is being upgraded with Amazon Alexa+, rolling out gradually from the second half of 2026 and starting with Germany and the US, and the system supports Disney+, YouTube, Spotify, Zoom and AirConsole gaming. A four-zone wiring harness cuts wiring weight by 30 per cent and removes about 600 metres of cable, BMW says.
Safety & ADAS
Euro NCAP awarded the iX3 50 xDrive five stars on July 8, 2026, in the first round of tests under its new, stricter assessment standard. The car scored 73% in Safe Driving, 83% in Crash Avoidance, 86% in Crash Protection and 95% in Post-Crash Safety, and Euro NCAP said it may be BMW’s safest car to date. BMW adds that the safety of the recessed, electrically operated door handles was confirmed in all tested situations. Driving Assistant Plus with automatic cruise control is standard; in the US it includes active blind spot detection, lane keeping assistant, forward collision mitigation, active cruise control with steering assistance and active park distance control with side protection. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package, priced at $2,500 in the US, adds a Highway & Commuting Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant. BMW says the City Assistant function can detect traffic lights, stopping and moving off again when they change.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2 (Driving Assistant Plus standard; Driving Assistance Professional optional) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Active cruise control with steering assistance, blind spot detection, lane keeping assistant, forward collision mitigation, park distance control with side protection, traffic light detection (City Assistant); Euro NCAP 5 stars |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | TORQUE | 0-100 | TOP SPEED | DRIVETRAIN | BATTERY | EV RANGE | COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iX3 40 | 316 hp | 500 Nm | 5.9s | 200 km/h | RWD | 82.6 kWh | 637 km | — | €63,400 | Single rear motor (235 kW / 320 PS), 300 kW DC; WLTP range 534–637 km; Germany price |
| iX3 50 xDrive | 463 hp | 645 Nm | 4.9s | 210 km/h | AWD | 108.7 kWh | 806 km | — | €70,900 | Dual motor (345 kW / 469 PS), 400 kW DC; WLTP range 666–806 km; Germany price |
| iX3 M60 xDrive | 603 hp | 875 Nm | 3.9s | 240 km/h | AWD | 108.7 kWh | 754 km | — | — | Provisional figures: dual motor (450 kW / 612 PS), 400 kW DC; up to 754 km WLTP; orders from end of January 2027; no price announced |
Pricing & Availability
BMW’s German price list valid from July 2026 shows EUR 63,400 for the iX3 40 and EUR 70,900 for the iX3 50 xDrive, as recommended retail prices ex-works including 19% VAT but excluding delivery costs. In the UK, BMW lists the iX3 40 from GBP 53,250 and the 50 xDrive from GBP 58,755, both on-the-road prices. In the US, the 2027-model-year iX3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500 plus $1,350 destination and handling, with an EPA-estimated range of up to 434 miles (698 km) on 20-inch summer tyres, a no-cost option, and 383 miles (616 km) on the standard 20-inch all-season tyres. BMW scheduled US deliveries from September 25, 2026, and Electrek reported they began earlier because of demand. In Israel, importer Delek Motors lists the iX3 50 xDrive from ILS 489,900 (Ultra Range), with M Sport Pro at ILS 529,900 and M Sport Extreme at ILS 544,900, and the iX3 40 from ILS 434,900 (Elegant) or ILS 479,900 (M Sport), according to Israeli press reports from June 2026. The iX3 M60 xDrive has no announced price: BMW says orders open at the end of January 2027 and production starts in spring 2027 at Debrecen, and its release gives no separate market-launch date. Production is in Debrecen, which BMW calls its first car plant to run without fossil fuels in normal operation, and BMW built its 50,000th iX3 there in July 2026. The i3 Neue Klasse sedan shares the same 345 kW drive and 108.7 kWh battery, and BMW says Neue Klasse technology will reach 40 new models and updates by 2027.
How It Compares
The closest real cross-shop is the Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology, a mid-size premium electric SUV priced from EUR 71,281 in Germany for the GLC 400 4MATIC. Mercedes quotes 360 kW (489 PS, about 483 hp), a 94 kWh usable battery, an electric range of up to 715 km on the WLTP cycle and a 330 kW peak charging rate, so on paper it has more power than the iX3 50 xDrive at 463 hp. The BMW has the larger battery (108.7 kWh), the longer maximum range (up to 806 km) and a higher 400 kW charging peak for a similar German list price of EUR 70,900. Both range figures are best-case maxima that depend on equipment, and German press reports a lower WLTP figure of about 673 km for the standard GLC at the entry price, so check the configuration before comparing. What the BMW adds is a Euro NCAP five-star result under the newer protocol and the choice of a cheaper rear-drive iX3 40 from EUR 63,400 in the same cabin.
- Up to 806 km of WLTP range from a 108.7 kWh usable battery, with 400 kW peak charging and 10–80% in 21 minutes in BMW’s test conditions
- Five stars in Euro NCAP’s stricter 2026 protocol, with the iX3 50 xDrive scoring 95% in Post-Crash Safety
- Practical: 520 L boot plus a 58 L frunk, 2,000 kg braked towing and bidirectional charging with a Vehicle-to-Load output of up to 3.7 kW
- Not cheap: EUR 70,900 for the 50 xDrive in Germany and from ILS 489,900 in Israel, and the headline range depends on equipment, with the US EPA figure falling from 434 to 383 miles on standard all-season tyres
- Heavy at 2,360 kg unladen for the 50 xDrive, and BMW’s 21-minute charge time assumes optimal 29–33 degree battery conditions
The 2026 BMW iX3 is the car that introduces BMW’s Neue Klasse technology to the market. Its 806 km WLTP range, 400 kW charging and five-star crash result make the 50 xDrive a strong long-distance family SUV, and the rear-drive iX3 40 brings the same cabin and technology to a lower price. The trade-offs are price, weight and a range figure that shrinks with wheel and tyre choices. For buyers who want a premium electric SUV with a big battery and fast charging, it earns a clear recommendation, especially in the iX3 40 if 637 km is enough.
