BMW has unveiled the all-new 2026 iX3, and it’s more than just an update, it’s a direct challenge to Tesla. This new generation rides on BMW’s Neue Klasse EV platform, a purpose-built electric architecture that brings lighter construction, better efficiency, and faster charging to the table.
Unlike the outgoing model, which felt like a gas-powered SUV adapted to electric duty, the 2026 iX3 has been designed as an EV from the ground up. That shift means bolder exterior styling, a more spacious interior, and technology that puts it on par with, or even ahead of, Tesla in several key areas.
The biggest strides come in battery range, charging speed, and advanced tech. BMW promises major gains in driving distance, along with cutting-edge driver-assist systems and an upgraded digital cabin experience. Taken together, these innovations show that BMW isn’t playing catch-up anymore. The iX3 is its strongest statement yet in the race for EV leadership.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources.
The New BMW iX3 Sets New Standards For the German Brand
Tesla has been one of the most popular EV brands in the world for some time now, but more and more competitors are rising to challenge them. BMW, for instance, has just revealed the next generation electric version of the X3, with stunning looks, a long-range battery, and plenty of tech.
BMW Debuts Neue Klasse Design Language
For some time now, BMW has been teasing their Neue Klasse ideology, which aimed to be a pretty big shift for the brand in terms of aesthetics. While the German automaker’s electric cars have looked pretty similar to their gas-powered models in the past, the upcoming 2026 iX3 shakes things up in a major way.
The Neue Klasse is our biggest future project and marks a huge leap in terms of technologies, driving experience and design. Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever. Our entire product range will benefit from the innovations of the Neue Klasse – regardless of the drive technology.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG
The iX3 is the first of BMW’s vehicles to get the Neue Klasse treatment, but it won’t be the last. What you’re seeing with this new electric crossover is a design revolution for the brand. They have clearly taken a pretty drastic approach and they claim that the design language used in the iX3 will slowly creep its way into their entire lineup. BMW claims that there will be 40 new models and model updates between now and 2027.
2026 BMW iX3 Pricing
Pricing obviously plays a major role in the iX3’s ability to compete successfully with the existing electric crossovers on the market. In the reveal, it was announced that pricing for the BMW would start at €68,900, which is around $80,000. Compared to some of the other options on the market, that is rough. This being said, the German brand has also claimed that the crossover will start at “around $60,000” in the U.S., which is much more palatable.
BMW iX3 Rivals
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
Tesla Model X |
$99,990 |
|
Porsche Macan EV |
$78,000 |
|
Mercedes-Benz EQE |
$64,950 |
|
Genesis Electrified GV70 |
$64,380 |
|
Audi Q6 e-tron |
$63,800 |
|
Cadillac Optiq |
$50,900 |
|
Tesla Model Y |
$44,990 |
The iX3 is launching into a pretty vast sea of electric crossovers, coming from a number of manufacturers, both new and old. At around $60,000, it slots in right in the middle with the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Mercedes EQE, being cheaper than segment leaders like the Macan EV. However, it looks like the BMW has the technology and the performance to easily dominate the segment.
At Tesla, the iX3 has to compete with the Model Y and the Model X. While the Model Y is easily one of the most popular cars in the world right now, it certainly lacks the luxury that you’d find in more upscale models. The Model X hits the upscale note well, but costs a ton. The iX3 hits a price point in between the two, offering a fantastic balance of performance, price, and luxury.
BMW Is Aiming For An EPA-Estiamted Range Of 400 Miles
In the world of electric cars, range is everything. It’s all good and well to look good and perform well, but if you don’t have the range to back it up, buyers aren’t interested. Along with delivering some exciting levels of power and performance, the iX3 features a large battery that’ll keep it going for miles.
2026 iX3 Performance Specifications
|
Model |
iX3 50 xDrive |
|---|---|
|
Powertrain |
Dual Motor |
|
Horsepower |
463 HP |
|
Torque |
476 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
|
0-62 MPH |
4.9 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
130 MPH |
The first variant of the iX3 that will hit American shores is the 50 xDrive model. This will come equipped with a pair of motors, an electrically excited synchronous front motor and an asynchronous rear motor. According to BMW’s tests, it gets off the line with plenty of pep and has a high top end for an EV. More models are on the way, though, which we expect will deliver even more impressive performance.
2026 iX3 Range and Battery Capacity
- 800V System Voltage
- Lithium-Ion Cylindrical Cells
- 400 kW Charging Rate
- Range of Up to 805 Kilometres (500 miles)
- Car Acts as a Powerbank
BMW has made some pretty big claims when it comes to the iX3 in terms of its battery capacity and range. They say that they have altered the shape of the battery cells, from prismatic ones to cylindrical ones, which they claim has increased energy density by 20 percent. It has a usable capacity of 109 kWh. The crossover can go 500 miles on a charge according to European WLTP standards, but BMW is aiming for around 400 miles in EPA testing. This will put it among the EVs with the best range.
Charging is another area where they have juiced things up by quite a lot. The German brand claims it will be able to charge at a rate of up to 400 kilowatts, a speed which is already popular in Europe and is slowly but surely making its way to the U.S. They say this means that you will be able to add 231 miles of range in as little as ten minutes, which is better than just about every one of its rivals.
BMW’s Four Superbrain Technology
The iX3 is one of the smartest new electric cars on the market, with BMW imbuing it with what they call the “Heart of Joy” superbrain. This will control a number of things within the car, including the driving characteristics of the overall vehicle. There are a total of four superbrains, though, which will also control the automated driving feature, with BMW claiming them to have 20 times greater computing power than in the predecessor model.
BMW will also introduce Motorway & City Assistant for the first time in one of their vehicles, which offers a combination of level two and level three autonomous driving.
Inside the New BMW iX3: A Cabin That Redefines EV Luxury
We’ve seen the level of comfort on technology that BMW is capable of with the iX SUV, and the upcoming simply feels like an evolution. Where brands like Tesla focus on minimalism, BMW has gone for a much bolder design. They have managed to fit some of the most cutting-edge technology into the iX3 as well, once again helping it edge out its competition.
Infotainment and Technology in the 2026 BMW iX3
We all know that technology is playing more and more of a role in the automotive world, particularly in the electric and luxury segments. The interior of the iX3 is downright futuristic, with a massive 43-inch strip of windshield that has been blacked out, with information being projected onto it. This will also act as the gauge display and can be customized to your tastes. A 17.9-inch touchscreen is mounted to the dash as well, acting as the infotainment screen.
There is a ton of available technology in the 2026 iX3, including things like keyless entry and wireless smartphone charging, which are both standard. A personal assistant is also on offer that will respond to requests and have natural conversations with you. Among some of the optional extras is a 13-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.
2026 iX3 Interior Dimensions and Comfort Features
|
Front Headroom |
40.6 Inches |
|---|---|
|
Rear Headroom |
38.5 Inches |
|
Cargo Capacity (Rear) |
18.3 Cubic Feet |
|
Cargo Capacity (Frunk) |
2 Cubic Feet |
While we don’t have all the information, BMW has released a fair bit in their spec sheets. It’s enough to say that headroom in the front and back will be more than enough for even tall passengers. Legroom hasn’t been disclosed yet. Cargo capacity is more than reasonable for this class, with a small area in the front for extra bits and bobs as well.
We’ve gotten a lot of information regarding the standard equipment on offer in the iX3, with BMW also stating that “Customers can tailor the design of the cabin to their personal style.” Some of the key standard features are listed below. Overall, it looks pretty well-equipped for a compact electric crossover.
- Heated and power-adjustable front and rear seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- Power-operated tailgate
- Adaptive headlight functions with intelligent light control
How-To Geek’s Take
This new crossover offers a brand-new direction for BMW, with it showing off one of the most radical shifts in identity we have seen. It is not only a disruptor for the compact luxury EV segment, but it sets a new standard that all other automakers will have to rise to. It also shows off what the future of BMW looks like, with Neue Klasse design permeating their future.
If you were looking for a luxurious EV that delivers impressive performance, a tech-laden cabin, and plenty of range, you may want to hold off for the upcoming iX3. It is easily one of the most impressive EV launches that we have seen in a long time, and it is likely to make big waves when it comes to the U.S.
