2027 BMW iX3 Initial Driving Assessment: A Comprehensive Examination of BMW’s Newest Electric SUV

The majestic Rock of Gibraltar appears behind me as I navigate curves in the 2027 BMW iX3. Throughout the day, I will blend routes through Andalusia, experiencing the immediate power of battery-electric propulsion and a suspension designed to gracefully handle bumps, with a soft yet clear response.

I will also drive a variant outfitted with performance summer tires on Circuito Ascari, where a modified M5 and a driving coach provoke a follow-the-leader exercise before our group of vehicles retraces its steps toward the coastline, maneuvering through mountainous routes to again glimpse Gibraltar.

It doesn’t take extensive driving or breathtaking views to persuade me. While I appreciate BMW’s gasoline-powered X3 SUV—my preferred choice among its versatile offerings—this electric model excels in nearly all aspects.

Reimagined from treads to the rooftop, the 2027 BMW iX3 will usher in the Neue Klasse line of battery-operated BMWs to American consumers next summer. It promises to reshape the purchasing tendencies of those who might have opted for a specific American-branded electric SUV. It fulfills a long-standing BMW commitment to reintroduce some of its signature driving sensations within a vehicle category (two, notably: SUVs and EVs) known for resisting them.

Neue Klasse Is in Session

With the introduction of the 2027 iX3, BMW brings its initial Neue Klasse vehicles into action. Designed to reduce the weight of battery packs and motors while attempting to restore some of that revered driving feel, the Neue Klasse range adopts a unique design approach that appears to be a gentler progression from the avant-garde iX already available. It features a new iteration of BMW’s grille, sporting taller kidneys with LED rings replacing some chrome accents. The headlights form a band across the front like a mask, sitting atop a foundation of pronounced air intakes. In profile, the iX3 shines, showcasing a wagon-like silhouette that rests atop robust fender extensions. Thin LED strips grace the rear, paving the way for a modestly sized BMW logo. An M Sport package introduces black diffusers and distinct wheels, while an M Sport Pro version adds glossy accent pieces.

Inside, the iX3 impresses in two significant ways. A panel of screens at the base of the windshield and an angled touchscreen seem straightforward until you engage the pushbuttons that illuminate them. Welcome switches and toggles on the console and circular steering wheel offer easy access to controls. My test vehicle featured a warm-toned synthetic leather and gray exterior that complemented the Spanish landscapes perfectly. It presents a fashion-forward yet user-friendly appearance at first glance.

Big EV torque

Beneath its floor, the iX3 incorporates BMW’s latest advancements in electric power. Equipped with a 123-kilowatt front motor and a 240-kW rear motor, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive iX3 can accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds or less, powered by a 108.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. With this European configuration, BMW claims charging times from 10-80 percent in 21 minutes and a range of 679 to 805 km (422 to 500 miles) according to the WLTP cycle. U.S. EPA figures are yet to be released, but BMW anticipates a maximum of 400 miles on a full charge, which seems feasible. During my drive through pine tree-lined mountain roads, I noted an efficiency rating of about 2.6 miles per kWh, a solid but not outstanding figure.

The iX3 is able to handle this thanks to a sophisticated four-zone electronic architecture that allows BMW to assign an entire control unit specifically to driving dynamics. While passive mechanical operation governs the strut front and five-link rear, everything else—from steering to power delivery and individual motors—is managed by that unit, referred to by BMW as the “heart of joy.” (Though joy technically occurs in the brain when awash in oxytocin and serotonin, let’s set that aside.) Improved motor controls, precise steering, and enhanced mastery over stability and traction are said to be vital for fostering that deep satisfaction in electric cars, mirroring our memories of the mechanical joys of yesteryears.

Does it succeed? It’s as close as any automaker, apart from Porsche, has achieved. As the iX3 navigates these challenging roads (some of BMW’s favorites for press launches over the years), it displays capabilities that make other electric SUVs feel sluggish. The iX3 can allocate torque to the wheels for deceleration and cornering, and can accelerate out of turns while recovering energy for the battery. It also alters its character; a few taps on the screen cycle through drive modes: Sport is best, of course, along with a heightened setting for regenerative braking, but my co-driver and I discovered that the car’s “B” setting provides maximum regeneration for true one-pedal driving.

It enjoys a composed ride courtesy of passive dampers and Euro-spec 255/45-R20 tires mounted on 20-inch rims, though 21- and 22-inch options will be available in the U.S. The suspension absorbs certain impacts well, though tire noise becomes noticeable only when the pre-programmed driving sounds are switched off. While it can’t completely overcome the weight that batteries add—every electric vehicle could benefit from a weight-reducing miracle—it adeptly manages its over 5,000-pound frame.

BMW states that the iX3’s regenerative braking system utilizes friction brakes only 2 percent of the time. There is a slight delay before regeneration kicks in fully, but its smoothness is commendable. The iX3 boasts approximately 6.9 inches of ground clearance on non-M-Sport variants, and can tackle about 16 inches of water, for those brave enough.

However, it’s the steering that garners the most focus. Renowned as BMW’s signature characteristic, it’s reported to be more aligned with driving pleasure than previous electric Bimmers, courtesy of its enhanced architecture. It comes shy of matching the gasoline-powered X3, but only just, and likely due to its heightened curb weight affecting its overall dynamics. It’s impossible to reclaim the time lost, to replicate the light and communicative nature of, say, a 325is or even the original X3. The iX3 reaches back far enough in time to deliver a gratifying steering feel, with its responsive reactions and precise nimbleness. It’s a distinctive joy, but joy nonetheless.

Get Used to, “Hey BMW”

Drive modes can significantly influence the iX3’s responses, but to access them, you’ll need to tap multiple times on the central screen with this latest immersive version of iDrive. BMW retains numerous physical controls for functions such as wipers, mirrors, radio volume, heating, defrost, and turn signals, but the new Panoramic iDrive interface manages the remainder. This iteration merges the customizable screen band at the windshield base with the touchscreen and heads-up display, connecting it via steering-wheel buttons and voice commands. It’s a highly adaptable infotainment system that requires time behind the wheel to become second nature. Without that familiarization, it resembles a grandparent’s initial experience with an iPad—and in an unwelcome twist, I find myself in that role.

For instance, I discovered it was easier to activate drive modes through voice commands after muddling through several screens looking for enhanced steering feedback. “Hey BMW,” I said, “engage sport mode”—and it responded more swiftly than any screen navigation could accomplish. Say the phrase, and a beardless, noseless blue beach ball materializes on the display, spinning around as it processes directives. Understanding the lingo it shares with us humans helps; I inadvertently asked for “sport mode” twice, which elicited sports scores before I located the correct input.

Elsewhere, the iX3’s interior provides a relatively straightforward pleasure of ample space and a commendable level of craftsmanship. Measuring 188.3 inches in length and boasting a 114.1-inch wheelbase, it affords outstanding comfort in the front and generous rear-seat space, making it a sensible choice for families. Being just under six feet tall, I experienced excellent foot and knee room in the back, along with a few extra inches of headspace due to a favorable seatback angle. The expansive cargo area reaches nearly 62 cubic feet behind the front seats, accommodating at least four suitcases, complemented by a small frunk for stowing a charging cable.

Pricing details remain unconfirmed, along with standard features and options, but the iX3 will present some of BMW’s latest functionalities upon its arrival in the summer of 2026. Its adaptive cruise control will be capable of executing lane changes, which it suggests onscreen and is approved by the driver through a glance at the appropriate side mirror. BMW’s smartphone application will enable city parking while the driver stands outside, navigating around obstructions as it parks itself. The vehicle’s navigation system will identify which charging stations offer swift and reliable service and recommend those over slower alternatives. Additional features may include LED ambient lighting, Harman Kardon audio, a panoramic glass roof, and sports seats with red accents.

Verdict

The iX3 does not replicate the exact essence of driving pleasure that BMW’s historical flagship models once provided. However, we cannot consistently compare today’s most sophisticated vehicles with their bygone counterparts. They live on only in our memories and within certain fortunate collections. After all, we do not compare hand-scripted tomes to Kindles; we merely learn to appreciate how each fosters a unique form of joy.

BMW provided The Drive with travel, accommodations, and access to the vehicle to facilitate this review.

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