BMW iX3 Neue Klasse First Drive Review
The BMW iX3 Neue Klasse has already become one of the most talked-about electric SUVs of 2025. The first look video went viral even before anyone had driven the car. Now the full driving experience from Ronda in Spain finally shows what this new generation BMW is about.
This is an important model for BMW because it marks a complete reinvention. For the first time, the brand has developed both the hardware and software in-house. It is also the first car to introduce BMW’s new design direction and the first model to use the company’s new four-processor architecture.
Below is a fully organised breakdown of the details, based purely on the original review experience.
Price and Variants
BMW iX3 pricing starts at £58,755 on the road. This gives you almost double the range of the previous iX3 at a lower price. It also undercuts key German rivals:
Audi Q6 e-tron
Mercedes EQC successor (GLC EV)
The launch model for the UK is the iX3 xDrive 50.
Battery, Range and Charging
BMW has fitted the iX3 with a large 108 kWh battery. Depending on the specification, BMW claims up to 500 miles of range. Real-world numbers will vary, but early testing gives a clearer picture.
Real-world efficiency observations
Mixed driving showed around 380 miles on a full charge
Motorway-only driving averaged 3 miles per kWh, giving 300 miles
Extended testing in the UK will give a clearer picture closer to the claim
Charging capability
The iX3 is built on an 800 V platform, allowing high-performance fast charging.
Charging Highlights
Peak charging speed: Up to 400 kW
10 to 80 percent: 21 minutes
200 miles added in 10 minutes
Compatible with:
Vehicle to Load
Vehicle to Home
Vehicle to Grid
Allows powering appliances directly from the car
Design: Exterior and Sustainability
The iX3 introduces BMW’s new design language. The twin oval kidney grille is a throwback to the classic Neue Klasse models.
Key Design Points
Chrome has been removed and replaced with light
BMW says chrome is not sustainable, so the focus is now on cleaner production
The front camera and ADAS sensors are integrated neatly at the centre
Launch colours include Space Silver, with more shades coming later
Available wheel sizes: 20, 21 and 22 inches
Order books are already open
BMW is aiming for a modern, clean look, with a stronger focus on sustainability and digital integration.
Interior and Technology
The interior highlights the new BMW design philosophy. It is cleaner, more modern and minimalistic.
Interior Design Highlights
Scandinavian-inspired clean layout
New Bingy sport steering wheel with a 12 o’clock marker
Haptic steering controls
Dual-screen setup:
Main infotainment display
Full-width passenger-visible display
Optional head-up display
Removable steering wheel is not offered but is strongly desired by reviewers
Digital Controls
Buttons and switches have mostly disappeared
Rotary iDrive controller is gone
Climate and volume controls remain accessible
Panoramic vision display can be customised:
Temperature
Time
Date
Other frequently used functions
Voice Assistant Concerns
Current digital assistant is not intuitive
Appears in distracting moments
Often fails to understand commands
BMW will replace it with the new Amazon Alexa LLM model
Expected to fix responsiveness and accuracy
Rear Seat Space and Practicality
Backseat space is close to the current BMW X5, which means adults can sit comfortably even on long journeys.
Practicality Specs
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Boot Capacity | 520 litres |
| Boot with seats folded | 1,750 litres |
| Frunk (front boot) | 58 litres |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 2 tonnes |
| Tailgate | Automatic as standard |
| Roof racks | Optional |
| Electric foldout tow bar | Optional |
The deeper boot shape helps with usability despite the sleeker roofline.
Driving Experience
After several hours on different roads including fast country routes and long motorways, the driving experience is clearly a step up.
Performance
Power output: 463 hp (dual-motor, AWD)
0 to 62 mph: 4.9 seconds
Strong and smooth power delivery
No aggressive punch, just clean predictable acceleration
Steering and Handling
Steering feels natural with excellent weight
Light in town and tightens as speed increases
Balanced weight distribution gives confidence
21 inch wheels ride well, but 20 inch wheels may offer a softer ride
Suspension
Steel springs instead of air suspension
Hydraulic partner system smooths out bumps
More comfortable than the M Sport Pro version
Good driving position with lots of seat and wheel adjustment
Regenerative Braking and Braking Feel
BMW claims 98 percent braking can be done through regeneration. This leads to:
Very smooth, consistent brake pedal feel
Excellent stop-start traffic performance
No jerkiness when slowing down
Cleaner driving experience overall
ADAS and Autonomous Features
The iX3 uses four powerful processors or “super brains” for different systems:
ADAS
Driving dynamics
Comfort
Infotainment
All work together through a central system called the Heart of Joy. Despite the name, the technology behind it works extremely well.
Motorway Assistant (Level 2 Autonomy)
Hands off the wheel
Eyes must stay on the road
Detects eye movement and attention
Smoothest and most relaxing ADAS system compared to rivals
Licensed across Europe and Germany
Awaiting final approval for the UK
Verdict
The BMW iX3 Neue Klasse genuinely feels like a next-generation electric SUV. It is not just a visual update. The driving experience, charging capability, regeneration, interior design and integration of the new “super brain” processors move BMW forward in a significant way.
In this case, the term game changer is deserved. It looks modern, drives smoothly and feels more intelligent than anything BMW has built in this segment before. The name Heart of Joy may sound unusual, but the experience behind the wheel lives up to the promise.
If BMW delivers the full technology package with the upcoming software updates, the iX3 has everything it needs to redefine the segment.
