fbpx

Winner, UK's best automotive website 2022

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

BMW iX3

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

BMW iX3

(2021 – present)

    Summary


    The BMW iX3 is, effectively, an electric version of the existing BMW X3 SUV. It will arrive in the UK in summer 2021 to join the regular X3 models that have been on sale since 2017.

    Given that the iX3 has only recently arrived in the UK, most of the reviews we have analysed so far have all come from the European launch. Initial reviews have given the iX3 an Expert Rating of 73% as of August 2023, which is slightly better than the conventional (petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid) X3 at 72%.

    The iX3 has received positive feedback from the UK motoring media. It has been particularly praised for its quiet and refined drivetrain, even compared to other electric cars, as well as for its better-than-average handling. The main criticisms have been that performance is not as sharp as some rivals, and that the iX3 is expensive compared to regular X3 models in the same family.

    In what must amount to some kind of new record, a facelifted version of the BMW iX3 was announced in August 2021, almost before the first original cars have even started arriving in the UK. The updated models began to arrive in December and offer the usual mid-life updates of revised styling both inside and out, as well as an upgraded mapping systems for improved traffic and charging point information.

    Key specifications


    Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
    Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
    Price: From £60,970 on-road

    Launched: Summer 2021
    Last updated: Winter 2021/22
    Replacement due: TBA


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Car

    +

    Car Keys

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Company Car Today

    +

    Daily Mail

    +

    Daily Mirror

    +

    Driving Electric

    +

    Electrifying.com

    +

    Green Car Guide

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Move Electric

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    No safety rating

    As of August 2023, the BMW iX3 has not been awarded a safety rating by Euro NCAP.

    The conventional BMW X3 was awarded a five-star rating back in 2017, but that score does not apply to the iX3 due to the significant differences resulting from replacing the petrol or diesel engine/fuel tank/exhaust system/gearbox etc. with an electric motor and battery pack.

    If and when Euro NCAP puts the BMW iX3 through its testing process, we will publish the results here.

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    As of August 2023, the BMW iX3 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the iX3 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    As of August 2023 we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW iX3 to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the MG 4 we’ll publish the score here.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models284 milesA282 – 286 milesA – B
    Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models3.6 m/KWhD3.5 – 3.6 m/KWhD – D
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models44D44 – 45D – D
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£218B
    Year 2£406A
    Year 3£713A
    Year 4£879A
    Year 5£1,195A
    Overall£3,411A

    Running costs for the BMW iX3 are much cheaper than its ICE-powered X3 counterpart, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

    The SUV has an official battery range of 284 miles (which varies from 282 miles to 286 miles, depending on which model you choose) is above average. So you shouldn’t need to worry about running out of charge in normal day-to-day driving. The car’s service and running costs are good for the first year, and excellent from the second year onwards.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW iX3 has received

    2023

    • Auto Trader Awards – Best Premium Electric Car

    2022

    • Fleet News Awards – Best Premium SUV

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the BMW iX3, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Audi e-tron | Audi Q4 e-tron | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Jaguar I-Pace | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQC | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq | Tesla Model Y | Volkswagen ID.4

    Buy a BMW iX3


    If you’re looking to buy a new or used BMW iX3, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Buy a car online from your sofa.
    We’ll deliver it. Find out more

    Motors 600x300

    Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

    Lease a BMW iX3


    If you’re looking to lease a new BMW iX3, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

    Carparison 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

    Moneyshake logo 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Moneyshake. Find out more

    LeaseLoco logo 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more

    Hippo Leasing 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Hippo Leasing. Find out more

    Subscribe to a BMW iX3


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Elmo logo 2022

    Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
    Find out more

    Onto logo 600x300

    Electric car subscriptions from Onto.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Happy Motor Finance 600x300

    Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    The BMW iX3 is quieter and more refined than the petrol or diesel X3 models on which it's based, but it's an expensive alternative.BMW iX3