Tested: 2027 BMW iX3 Gets a Passing Grade

BMW‘s long-awaited Neue Klasse vehicle architecture has finally arrived with the first offspring to hit our shores, the 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive. Touted by BMW as a complete reset, the new platform throws out old conventions with a reimagined interior screen concept and reined-in exterior styling that features appropriately proportioned kidney grilles recalling the BMW 1500. The 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive carries a base price of $62,850 and an as-tested price of $75,050. Among the options on our test vehicle was the $2,500 Driving Assistance Professional package, which provided a hands-free mode that editors appreciated for the relaxation it afforded on highway drives. Inside, the new interior raises questions. A new panoramic display replaces the traditional gauge pod and offers customizable buckets with preset layouts and widgets, alongside an optional head-up display projected on the windshield. Editors noted annoying constant beeping if you sit down and don’t immediately buckle up before shifting into gear. The unconventional steering wheel features vertical spokes and topography that forces a 10-and-2 grip, yet the steering is light on feedback regardless of the drive mode. A less unconventional M steering wheel is available through the M Sport packages. In our 75-mph highway range test, the iX3 managed 330 miles, falling 62 miles short of its EPA estimate. However, its 800-volt electrical architecture delivered a swift average DC fast-charging rate of 184 kilowatts from 10 to 90 percent, taking just over half an hour. On the road, the passive suspension proved too stiff, delivering harsh responses to bumps and a lack of road isolation, likely exacerbated by the optional 22-inch wheels—the largest available. BMW does not offer an alternative suspension for the iX3. On the positive side, the dual-motor 50 xDrive churns out 463 horsepower in Sport mode, launching the EV to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, compared to 4.0 seconds for the gas-powered X3 M50. A more powerful 603-HP iX3 M60 xDrive M Performance model is on the way, a full-M version seems likely, and BMW promises a rear-drive variant will join the lineup later. Handling feels pleasingly BMW-like with good seat feedback and a skidpad grip of 0.88 g, while brake pedal smoothness earns high marks with no noticeable transition from regenerative to mechanical braking. Ultimately, the iX3 passes its initial test, leaving room for improvement in suspension tuning, steering, and interior design before upcoming Neue Klasse models arrive.