Speed, heat, and high stakes: testing the new BMW iX3

The whole world can't get enough of the new BMW iX3 - it's a runaway success for the German automaker, so much so that the company had to double shifts in its factory to try and keep up with the demand. We tested the iX3 already and learned that there's way more to it than just marketing - you can find the results of our test right here.

Many people are still looking at the glossy photos and thinking about buying the iX3, while some drivers are already pushing this electric SUV to its absolute limits. A popular German car reviewer spent an entire weekend driving over 620 miles in a brand-new iX3 to see if the hype matches reality. And this wasn't a slow crawl through city streets - the test involved high-speed runs on the German Autobahn to find out how this electric car handles extreme conditions.

Performance is a major selling point for BMW, and the iX3 does not disappoint on paper. It can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. For a vehicle that weighs nearly 2.8 metric tons, that is a very quick launch. The top speed is electronically capped at 130 mph. During high-speed testing, the car remained impressively quiet. Even at 124 mph, the cabin noise measured only 72 decibels. This makes it almost as quiet as the much more expensive BMW iX. But the test did reveal one strange flaw: the hood begins to vibrate and flutter once the car passes 87 mph. It is a small detail, but a bit annoying for a luxury vehicle.

When it comes to electric cars, speed usually kills the range. The iX3 shows exactly how much power you lose when you step on it - at a steady 75 mph, the car uses 23 kWh of electricity for every 62 miles, allowing for a total range of about 294 miles. If you increase your speed to 87 mph, consumption jumps to 29 kWh, and your range drops to 233 miles. At 99 mph energy use goes up to 36 kWh, and if you stay pinned at the 124 mph mark, the car devours 50 kWh every 62 miles. At that rate, you would need to find a charger after only 124 miles of driving.

Charging is where the iX3 tries to flex its muscles. BMW claims this model can handle up to 400 kW charging speeds. During the test, the car actually hit 392 kW at a high-power DC station. This is incredibly fast for any EV on the market. Unfortunately, the excitement did not last long. The battery temperature quickly soared to {{57° C}}, and the car slowed the charging speed down to 170 kW to protect itself. This means that while 400 kW looks great in a brochure, the car might not be able to handle that much heat for a full charging session.

Inside, the iX3 is a true spaceship. The "Panoramic Vision" display stretches across the bottom of the windshield and shows everything from your speed to the battery temperature. Drivers can customize exactly what they see using buttons on the steering wheel. Interestingly, BMW decided not to include air suspension on this model. Competitors like the Mercedes GLC offer a cloud-like ride, but the iX3 uses a standard suspension setup.

The iX3 is a large vehicle, measuring 15.68 ft long, 6.2 ft wide, and 5.35 ft high. It offers a decent amount of space for a family, including 18.4 ft³ of room in the trunk. One nice addition is the "frunk" located under the hood. It is smaller than the storage space found in some other EVs, but it is perfect for storing charging cables. The test car also featured massive 22-inch wheels, which look great but likely contribute to the higher energy consumption at high speeds.

In case you were wondering - yes, owning this much technology costs a pretty penny. The starting price for the iX3 is roughly $82,000, but if you want the high-end version used in this test - complete with Sapphire Black paint and red M-Sport brakes - the price tag climbs to $106,600. That is a lot of money for a medium-sized SUV, especially when you consider that some features require a monthly subscription. That's right - some of the advanced driving assistants are only available if you keep paying for the service after the initial trial ends.

We have no doubt that the new BMW iX3 is an efficient and high-tech machine, but it isn't perfect. It offers fantastic driving dynamics and a futuristic interior. The charging speed is world-class, even if the battery heat issues slow things down after a few minutes. If you drive at normal highway speeds, the efficiency is actually quite good for a vehicle of this size. Just be prepared to see your range disappear if you decide to test that 130 mph top speed for yourself.

Here's the test in its full length - it's in German, but still well worth watching:

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