In a detailed YouTube review by popular automotive YouTuber @CarManiac_Chris, the new BMW iX3 50 Neue Klasse demonstrates impressive real-world performance. While we plan to publish our own review soon, this initial assessment offers valuable insights into BMW’s latest electric SUV.
Range is a critical concern for electric vehicles, and the iX3 tackles this with a large 108.7 kWh usable battery pack combined with excellent energy efficiency.
The first test focused on city driving efficiency. Such conditions vary widely due to factors like speed, traffic stops, acceleration, terrain, and weather, making direct comparisons challenging. During this test, the iX3 achieved 3.1 miles per kWh over a 6.2-mile drive lasting 28 minutes at an ambient temperature of 59°F, equating to an average speed of just over 13 mph. These figures are typical for urban driving characterized by frequent stop-and-go traffic.
Notably, nearly 31% of the energy consumed during this period was used by the air conditioning system. Given the moderate outside temperature of 59°F and an interior set point of 70°F, this high A/C consumption suggests either inefficiency or that the vehicle remained stationary for an extended period before driving.
The highway test provided more standardized and comparable data, conducted similarly to our own procedures. Chris set the cruise control to 81 mph and drove nearly 19 miles. The average speed recorded was 76 mph in 64°F conditions, with an impressive average consumption of 2.9 miles per kWh.
With the 108.7 kWh usable capacity, this efficiency translates into an estimated real-world highway range of approximately 314 miles, a remarkable achievement for a modern electric SUV.
Chris also mentioned plans for a German Autobahn-specific range test at 124 mph to evaluate the iX3 50 xDrive’s high-speed capabilities.
The iX3 benefits significantly from BMW’s 800V electrical architecture, which greatly improves charging performance compared to older models like the iX. In his testing, the vehicle started charging at 347 kW when the state of charge (SoC) was just 8%, maintaining over 300 kW charging speed until reaching 45% charge.
Charging power across various battery levels.
For the full video and detailed findings, visit Chris’ YouTube channel or watch it embedded below.
