fbpx
Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

BMW iX3

(2021 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

69
%
B

Used car score:

67
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

73
%
B

Safety Rating:

59
%
D

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

75
%
B

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

69
%
B

Used car score:

67
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

73
%
B

Safety Rating:

59
%
D

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

75
%
B

Summary


The BMW iX3 is an electric version of the existing BMW X3 SUV. It arrived in the UK in the summer of 2021 to join the regular X3 models that had already been on sale since 2017.

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, and 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 even started arriving in the UK. The updated models began to arrive in December and offered the usual mid-life updates of revised styling both inside and out, as well as an upgraded mapping system for improved traffic and charging point information.

The current iX3 is likely to be replaced before the end of 2025 by an all-new model, which will be one of the first cars to debut BMW’s next-generation electric vehicle architecture, infotainment system and ‘Neue Klasse’ design.

As of December 2024, the BMW iX3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. It scores top marks for its zero tailpipe emissions and also gets good grades for its positive media reviews and low running costs. But its safety rating (based on the last-generation X3 from 2017) has now expired, which drags down the overall rating.

Key specifications


Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £65,160 on-road

Launched: Summer 2021
Last updated: Winter 2021/22
Replacement due: Winter 2025/26


Media reviews


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

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Driving Electric

+

Electrifying.com

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sunday Times

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 58%

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Notes on safety rating

The BMW X3 was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. The iX3 shares the same rating as the combustion-powered X3 models, as Euro NCAP determined that it is structurally identical and would perform similarly in emergency situations.

However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used iX3 to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the BMW iX3 has not been 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


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

As of December 2024, 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 iX3 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 models290 milesA282 – 292 milesA – B
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models3.6 m/KWhD3.5 – 3.7 m/KWhD – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models44D44 – 45D – D
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£334C
Year 2£581B
Year 3£845B
Year 4£1,105B
Year 5£1,382A
Overall£4,247B

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 average battery range of 290 miles (which varies from 282 miles to 286 miles, depending on which model you choose) according to official UK/EU government lab tests. That’s more than enough for most household needs, 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.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW iX3

Date: August 2023
Recall number: R/2023/235
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2022 only
Number of vehicles affected: 27
Defect: On affected vehicles due to a supplier component production process error a damaged Combined Charging Unit may have been installed.
Remedy: Replace the Combined Charging Unit.

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/133
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2021 to 03/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 28
Defect: A cable bridge connection connecting two circuit boards within the cell supervision circuit (CSC) might not have been installed properly.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the cell supervision circuit (CSC) inside the high-voltage battery will be replaced.

Date: October 2021
Recall number: R/2021/361
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2020 to 05/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 384
Defect: In rare cases due to a software error the fast intermediate circuit discharge is triggered late.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles software in the Battery Management Unit (BMU) will be updated by reprogramming.

As of December 2024, there have been three DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the iX3 addressing various different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used iX3, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

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.

Motors 600x300

Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

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

Carwow logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Carwow. 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.

Leasing-com logo

Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more

Carparison 600x300

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

Select Car Leasing logo

Personal contract hire deals from Select Car 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?)

Wagonex logo 2023 600x300

Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more

Drive Fuze logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
Find out more

Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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

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

Auto Trader logo 600x300

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

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, analysing scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

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.

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