This iX3 is BMW’s future: is it good enough?

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It's time for Mat to review the all-new BMW iX3!

It's the first vehicle to be constructed on BMW's devoted 'Neue Klasse' EV platform, but to see if this entry-level electric SUV has the soul of a real BMW, Mat's doing something a bit different: he's comparing it to a 6-year-old BMW X3 M!

Can the quiet, modern newbie really compare the twin-turbo gas beast of the past?

The iX3 marks a radical departure from the BMWs we've examined in the past. It includes the brand-new "Neue Klasse" style language, so gone are the massive vertical "buck-tooth" grilles, replaced by a larger, horizontal kidney grille that combines into the headlights. The silhouette is smooth (but if anything, a little dull), and it includes flush-fitting door manages and a clean, minimalist rear end with wrap-around L-shaped light bars. It's definitely modern-day, however will Mat prefer this all-new style over the X3 M?

Inside, BMW has hit the "reset" button. The conventional chauffeur's instrument cluster is gone, replaced by BMW Panoramic Vision, which projects crucial details throughout the full width of the bottom of the windshield. There's a new hexagonal central touchscreen and a minimalist control panel made mostly from recycled fabrics and sustainable materials. It's extremely spacious thanks to the flat EV flooring, providing a 520-litre boot (plus a convenient 58-litre front boot under the bonnet for your charging cables).

The car we've got for this evaluation is the 50 xDrive. This comes with a dual-motor set-up, AWD, and it produces 469 hp and 645 Nm. It's likewise efficient in 0-60 miles per hour in just 4.9 seconds. What's more, thanks to the new 800V architecture, it can include 231 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a 400kW rapid battery charger, with a maximum WLTP series of as much as 500 miles.

The new BMW iX3 rolls up with a beginning cost of ₤ 58,755 for the entry-level design. This positions it competitively against the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric, however does this brand new EV deal enough to sway you far from petrol power? Stick to Mat to see if it should!

Thanks to DNA Autohaus for providing us the X3M:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: New BMW iX3 vs BMW X3M
00:40 Neue Klasse Outside Style Evaluation
03:00 Build Quality & Panel Space Examine
04:26 New BMW iX3 Interior & Tech
06:22 Old BMW X3M Interior Contrast
07:16 iX3 Price & Worth for Cash
07:57 Motors, Battery & Range Specs
08:25 Drag Race, Rolling & Brake Test
11:18 Emergency Moose Test
12:35 iX3 Rear Seat Convenience & Area
14:01 X3M Rear Seat Comparison
15:33 The Infant Seat Difficulty
16:45 Boot Area & Storage Contrast
19:27 iX3 "Frunk" Front Boot
20:16 iX3 Practicality Test
21:12 X3M Practicality Test
22:04 BMW X3M Handling & Stability
23:07 New iX3 Driving Dynamics & Handling
24:30 Automated Parking Difficulty
27:44 Frustrating Functions of the iX3
32:17 Best Features of the iX3
33:51 iX3 On-Road Driving Impressions
35:31 Decision: Should You Buy the New iX3?

Comments

72 responses to “This iX3 is BMW’s future: is it good enough?”

  1. @carwow Avatar
    @carwow

    Get 20% off Car Vertical using code Carwow: https://bit.ly/Carwow-Car-Vertical

    1. @JurisKankalis Avatar
      @JurisKankalis

      The problem with these influencer car boys (and girls) is that nobody cares about what words you invent to describe the forked up interior in a positive journalism sauce. Nobody cares how many bottles you fit in the door pockets or what is the time in seconds for fitting a child seat (and apparently, nor do you). What we care of – is WHY bmw is robbing us of the sense of touch (the ability to control all major functions in the car without taking your sight off the road for even a blink) – why is BMW pressing the moronscreens onto us? Why does BMW think moronscreens are cool? We are not buying a Tesla or a Jaeecoo or GWM. We are buying a BMW (………….or not). I hope my F11 530xd works for ever. In that car, I can switch all possible important functions – without taking my eyes off the road – for even tenth of a second (climate, seats, drive modes, stereo, you name it) – WHILE i am doing 200 km/h on the Autobahn (where BMW lives) – and while covering 180 metres in 3 seconds (actual physics). WHY IS BMW TAKING AWAY THE PHYSICAL SENSE OF TOUCH FROM US? The muscle memory? We didn’t ask for yet another costly, heavy, unreliable ADAS system as a replacement for simple buttons (which BMW has been using for many decades). WHY, BMW? Why dig your own grave? Weirdly, the HEART OF JOY somehow reminds me of the Kraft Durch Freude madness. Who invented that…. hmmmm……

    2. @conanobrien1 Avatar
      @conanobrien1

      Testing brakes with different tyres is pointless or at least meaningless.

    3. @superfitcs4005 Avatar
      @superfitcs4005

      Matt nor Carwow have guts to call out cheap interior and how terrible these cars are

  2. @priyanshujain4523 Avatar
    @priyanshujain4523

    It feels BMW forgot the front and the back are of the same car.

    1. @revaddict Avatar
      @revaddict

      I really like the new front, it definitely grew on me but the rear looks stupid.

    2. @obeah81 Avatar
      @obeah81

      They have a habit of doing that

    3. @Fantaribo Avatar
      @Fantaribo

      both are good tho.

    4. @samoliver9132 Avatar
      @samoliver9132

      Yeah a lot of the rears of bmws are so hideous now. The IX, X3, 5 series, and ix3 look so bad. It’s crazy cause the last gen cars from like 2020 all had really good looking rears

  3. @realsimone Avatar
    @realsimone

    Interior design looks like an experiment.

    1. @excertt Avatar
      @excertt

      the exterior looks like an experiment bro

    2. @brittoalex1098 Avatar
      @brittoalex1098

      Maybe for future they are preparing

    3. @728GT Avatar
      @728GT

      Good.

    4. @Jbustosalazar Avatar
      @Jbustosalazar

      it is, now you have a bunch of screens with useless information but the things you NEED TO DRIVE are in an stupid screen with several steps to adjust…..

    5. @zwerko Avatar
      @zwerko

      … and the exterior design looks like an abomination.

  4. @anonymousO405G Avatar
    @anonymousO405G

    Looks like BMW themselves forgot how a BMW should looks like…

    1. @G82Watts Avatar
      @G82Watts

      BMW should just get ride of the grilles completely on EV models

    2. @richardlabeja Avatar
      @richardlabeja

      @G82Watts BMW has had split grills for the majority of its history. It’s the core feature of of its external design.

    3. @Astke Avatar
      @Astke

      @richardlabeja they should stop

    4. @biafo4541 Avatar
      @biafo4541

      ​@richardlabejaagreed, at least they brought that back.

    5. @evol3852 Avatar
      @evol3852

      Where have you been in the last 5 years?

  5. @Ayvon_ Avatar
    @Ayvon_

    This is what everyone first thought of when they saw this design 🐽🐽
    😂😂😂

  6. @Mr.O4TS Avatar
    @Mr.O4TS

    2:16
    Old definitely looks better 😂

    1. @HipsterEstonian Avatar
      @HipsterEstonian

      Yes the M sport variant with body modifications looks better…wow you are a brainiac arent you…

    2. @Mr.O4TS Avatar
      @Mr.O4TS

      @HipsterEstonian
      Hey, Brainiac, even with like-to-like trim levels, the 2019 styling looks better.

      Show me the stock/base model 2019 x3 and it will still look better than even the newer 2026 M X3.

    3. @biafo4541 Avatar
      @biafo4541

      ​@HipsterEstonianyou wasted that sarcastic ‘brainiac’ thing man, cmon.
      Dont use it for a while , you’re not ready

    4. @funtik0609 Avatar
      @funtik0609

      Old one is ugly as hell

    5. @jackcostello2016 Avatar
      @jackcostello2016

      @funtik0609the new one is an abomination and could pass for nearly every car on the road now. Any angle apart from straight on with the front and it could pass for a Peugeot

  7. @ThePetrolCarmy Avatar
    @ThePetrolCarmy

    This video taught me old is gold.

    1. @Andrei-j9t8f Avatar
      @Andrei-j9t8f

      Didn’t know that ? 😉 one learns new stuff every day….

    2. @jozefkovac6858 Avatar
      @jozefkovac6858

      Most cars up to 2007. Even those might be cr@p.

    3. @EM-fi2qg Avatar
      @EM-fi2qg

      I agree wholeheartedly with this message. Vintage BMW’s are bulletproof.

    4. @RayanMADAO Avatar
      @RayanMADAO

      Old good, new bad 🤖

    5. @BaneleSithole-z5x Avatar
      @BaneleSithole-z5x

      😂literally (old X3 is gold)

  8. @feuerrm Avatar
    @feuerrm

    Insane the x50 can nearly keep up with the old M. BMW underrating their 0-60 times as always

    1. @andders2477 Avatar
      @andders2477

      just think what they will do with a 60 or M version

  9. @DicDawson Avatar
    @DicDawson

    That front grill! That’s the face Bugs Bunny makes when visiting the proctologist 😂

  10. @RxXciii Avatar
    @RxXciii

    I like everything about the older version

    1. @kl3_ink1_nd Avatar
      @kl3_ink1_nd

      What parts of it? Performance and braking? Handling? Efficiency? Build quality? Comfort? You either didn’t watch the video or you’re just really ignorant lol

    2. @Xzibitfreek Avatar
      @Xzibitfreek

      Even reliability?

  11. @royed31 Avatar
    @royed31

    Info system looks like an aftermarket bolt on

  12. @Machines.In.Action Avatar
    @Machines.In.Action

    That design is definitely going to divide people hard, no middle ground here 🤔

    1. @Astke Avatar
      @Astke

      for now until people actually see it and 2 years pass. Like most BMWs.

    2. @biafo4541 Avatar
      @biafo4541

      ​​@Astkeyip, its no longer instantly pretty inside and out. Like a gf that isn’t pretty but after a while…she becomes less not pretty 😂

    3. @Oklm23 Avatar
      @Oklm23

      They’re definitely going after Tesla and Toyota Prius drivers with that design, and I’m sure that will help boost their sales… but I’m sure real BMW fans will keep their current car or look elsewhere for their next vehicle. It’s a shame imo.

    4. @snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake Avatar
      @snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake

      Looks terrible on a SUV/CUV. I’m somewhere in the middle with the 3-series sedan. Looks a little less awkward.

    5. @bad3abdul Avatar
      @bad3abdul

      It looks terrible to me

  13. @IbrahimNameer Avatar
    @IbrahimNameer

    Am I the only one wanting the old X3M more than ever after watching this?

    1. @Astke Avatar
      @Astke

      no but also not enough people care

    2. @pigeonpoo1823 Avatar
      @pigeonpoo1823

      ​@Astke😂😂😂😂😂

    3. @davesound7188 Avatar
      @davesound7188

      Yes you are

    4. @AbodyHK424 Avatar
      @AbodyHK424

      Same here man. The newer cars are so boring and soulless.

  14. @ImArda_ Avatar
    @ImArda_

    why are you comparing a ix3 vs x3m comp it should have been with the old ix3 or x3 30e

    1. @Jedimack7 Avatar
      @Jedimack7

      Because BMW themselves are trying to make this their new golden goose (which costs significantly more)

    2. @catch_me_if_you_can1147 Avatar
      @catch_me_if_you_can1147

      @Jedimack7 it does not

  15. @derpfacedgoat Avatar
    @derpfacedgoat

    The new one looks so much cheaper than the old one

    1. @SDK2006b Avatar
      @SDK2006b

      That’s because the new iX3 is cheaper – that X3M was £70k, 6 years ago. That’s over £100k in today’s money

    2. @Xzibitfreek Avatar
      @Xzibitfreek

      @SDK2006b it should also be said, the iX3 has a giant battery pack which for some reason isnt made a big deal in this video even though it should.
      He makes the comparison between the Model Y and the iX3 at the end but no word on BMWs massively faster charging or its massively bigger battery pack which leads to plenty more range. The Model Y has a 77kWh battery, the iX3 a massive 108,7kWh battery

    3. @adrianhrusca4067 Avatar
      @adrianhrusca4067

      ​@Xzibitfreekspot on…that is the biggest feature of the car.

    4. @robbiejonyoung Avatar
      @robbiejonyoung

      ​@SDK2006b £85k starting price in 2021

  16. @Nigel8Chelsea Avatar
    @Nigel8Chelsea

    To be fair, Matt is comparing a base iX3 (not even the M sport pro currently on sale) to a fully tricked out (gorgeous X3M). Car looks a lot better with the M sport bits, color combo, and different wheels. Quite confused about the efficiency though. Every other car review I’ve watched lauds the efficiency (easy 400 miles). Hmm.

    1. @victorgeorgiev6754 Avatar
      @victorgeorgiev6754

      It is supposed to look good as basic as it goes and then to look spectacular when M upgraded. Now it just looks bland.

    2. @vegastar57 Avatar
      @vegastar57

      Dont kid yourself, the previous base X3 is still a lot better designed and is not even close.

  17. @justineghtedari3133 Avatar
    @justineghtedari3133

    The problem is BMW design team believes whatever they do, people will get used to and love after a while. But I don’t. Not sure about the others.

    1. @boondockbwoy14 Avatar
      @boondockbwoy14

      You realize sales of these new iX3s have climbed so steeply that they had to ramp up production on a double shift don’t you

    2. @sirarthur1739 Avatar
      @sirarthur1739

      Kinda like Apple phones

    3. @ClownWorldObserver Avatar
      @ClownWorldObserver

      The beaver grill is still hideous. The new design might work better on the 3 series. We need smaller grills either way and preferably round headlights.

    4. @onski_ski Avatar
      @onski_ski

      I have this feeling every time BMW launches a new model—five years later, I always realize they age quite well.

  18. @sukritsharma5735 Avatar
    @sukritsharma5735

    That steering wheel is horrendous 33:40

  19. @iLL3571 Avatar
    @iLL3571

    Usually when a brand launches a new model, the old model depreciates, but it’s the opposite with Bmw

  20. @sw0908 Avatar
    @sw0908

    That steering wheel on the iX3 is horrific. Looks like its turned 90º constantly

    1. @lesego2933 Avatar
      @lesego2933

      Yep, They made it harder to find a dead ahead center

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