The next electric vehicle battle is set for this fall, with several mid-sized upscale SUVs coming. And while a lot of attention has centered on the Rivian R2, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo also have similarly sized models coming with similarly ambitious specifications. But BMW is first out of the gate with prices and a range figure for its iX3.
BMW announced this week that the 2027 iX3 will go on sale in the U.S. on Sept. 25, starting from $62,850, and the most efficient model will have an EPA-estimated range of 434 miles. The estimated range varies based on the wheel and tire options offered by BMW, but even the least efficient iX3 is rated at 384 miles.
The iX3 is the first model to implement BMW’s latest EV platform using an 800-volt electrical architecture. It’s capable of charging at up to 400 kW, although you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lot of DC fast chargers capable of those speeds in the U.S. right now—a Tesla Supercharger maxes out at 250 kW, for example.
All of these initial iX3s are known as 50 xDrive models, meaning they’re all-wheel drive with 463 horsepower, a 15.4 kW onboard charger, bidirectional charging with vehicle-to-load capability, and a built-in NACS port with access to Tesla Superchargers. While the standard car is reasonably well-equipped, adding some large option packages pushes the price much closer to $70,000, and it can go as high as $80,000 if you really try.
That said, the iX3 looks like a tempting package even with options. The admittedly far cheaper Tesla Model Y Long Range all-wheel drive maxes out at 327 miles on a full charge, and the early versions of the R2 will start around $60,000 with a 330-mile range estimate that’s yet to be verified by the EPA.
That’s not to mention the traditional brands the BMW is up against, especially with the new Mercedes-Benz GLC EV and Volvo EX60 being about the same size as the iX3, expected to start around $60,000, targeting around 400 miles of range, with arrival estimated sometime this summer or fall.
And if yet another electric SUV doesn’t float your boat, next year’s BMW i3 could be considered the sedan version of the iX3, sharing the platform, drivetrain setup, dashboard, and infotainment display, and is already aiming for a 440-mile range estimate from the EPA.
The iX3 is available to design and order now with a $1,000 deposit through the BMW website.
