Neue Klasse Electrical SUV Examined for Vary, Charging, and Driving Dynamics

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Sotogrande, Spain — simply throughout the water from Gibraltar — is the place I spent a number of days with the 2026 BMW iX3, the first Neue Klasse SUV and an important electrical BMW because the unique i3. And earlier than you scroll too quick: don’t be alarmed if this evaluate is lengthy. The concept is to incorporate each element potential for future patrons, as a result of that is the automotive that may outline BMW’s electrical roadmap for the subsequent decade. After years of teasers, ideas, and quiet guarantees from engineers, the primary actual Neue Klasse product is lastly right here — and it feels completely different from the second you begin driving it.

This isn’t a CLAR adaptation. This isn’t an electrified facelift. The iX3 is a clean-sheet BMW on an all-new structure with a brand new battery, a brand new UI, and a central computing platform referred to as the Coronary heart of Pleasure that transforms how the automotive drives. For a day, the iX3 was my every day driver, my backroad companion, my freeway cruiser, and even my observe automotive at Ascari. And it didn’t take lengthy to appreciate this: that is one of the best electrical car BMW has ever constructed — and the primary one which genuinely feels engineered across the driver.

Neue Klasse: A New Platform With New Priorities

The 2026 BMW iX3 sits on the Neue Klasse structure, BMW’s first EV-only platform. That brings an 800-volt battery system, far faster charging, and packaging benefits you can not obtain with a transformed combustion chassis. The SUV makes use of a 108 kWh internet battery and fast-charges at as much as 400 kW, which suggests you’ll be able to add round 175 miles (EPA) in ten minutes underneath splendid circumstances. BMW expects an EPA vary round 400 miles, whereas WLTP estimates roughly 800 kilometers.

The take a look at automotive was the iX3 50 xDrive, producing 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque. BMW claims 4.9 seconds from zero to 100 km/h. On the Dragy PRO, I ran 4.59 seconds, barely faster than marketed. It’s a well-known BMW theme: the numbers on paper are all the time modest, the actual world all the time higher.

However what stands out is the way it delivers the ability. As an alternative of the sudden, neck-snapping hit so many EVs chase, the iX3 feels progressive and elastic. It nonetheless pushes you into the seat, however the supply is smoother and extra pure. It feels tuned for drivers, not drag-racing algorithms.

On the Street: Composure, Steadiness, and a Remarkably Enjoyable SUV

Southern Spain is a paradise for chassis engineers. Tight corners, late apexes, lengthy sweepers, altitude modifications, and pavement that goes from excellent to damaged in a single stretch. It’s the form of area the place even good automobiles get uncovered. The iX3, although, got here alive.

The very first thing you are feeling is how shortly the Coronary heart of Pleasure responds. It screens wheel slip, load, and torque demand in actual time, and it reacts immediately. Flip in exhausting and the physique stays impressively flat. Elevate mid-corner and the regen blends seamlessly, settling the entrance axle with out jerking the cabin ahead. Roll again into the throttle and also you get clear, drama-free exit traction with no torque steer in any way. Even with solely 463 horsepower, the iX3 behaves like a a lot smaller, a lot lighter SUV — and at 2.3 tons, that’s no small achievement.

Much more fascinating is how a lot the regen contributes to the driving really feel. Excessive regeneration mode creates a dynamic one-pedal rhythm that allows you to brake with precision purely by lifting off. For the primary time in a BMW EV, the regen by no means feels harsh or abrupt. It slows the automotive in a easy, progressive arc which you could meter with millimeter-level throttle changes. For somebody like me — and for passengers who get movement illness — the smoothness is a giant deal. Even at most regeneration, the automotive by no means lunges.

In truth, Kyle from Out of Spec Opinions, who has pushed almost each EV available on the market and is notoriously choosy about regen tuning, advised BMW engineers that that is one of the best brake-regen calibration within the business proper now. I agree. It lastly looks like one thing engineered as a part of the driving expertise, not merely bolted in for effectivity.

Observe Time at Ascari: The place Neue Klasse Reveals Its Depth

Most EV launches keep away from racetracks as a result of weight, overheating, and brake fade shortly develop into an issue. BMW didn’t shrink back — as a substitute, they handed us the keys and pointed towards the Ascari Race Resort, one of the technical and unforgiving circuits in Europe. We adopted an M5 Competitors MotoGP Security Automobile, and the tempo shortly escalated.

My street automotive wore a sq. setup of 21-inch Goodyear summer time tires, however the observe iX3s switched to staggered Michelin Pilot Sport EVs. The distinction was instant. Grip ranges skyrocketed, physique roll almost vanished, and the steadiness improved even additional.

By way of Ascari’s high-speed sweepers, the iX3 stayed flat and composed. You can hear the Michelins working, however the chassis by no means flinched. Laborious braking from 120–130 km/h was secure and predictable, with no nostril dive or rear lightness. Mid-corner stability was shockingly impartial for an SUV of this dimension.

Essentially the most fascinating second got here after I deliberately provoked over-rotation. You’re feeling the Coronary heart of Pleasure intervene with a stage of subtlety I’ve by no means felt in a BMW EV. As an alternative of stabbing the brakes or yanking energy away, the system trims particular person torque vectors, stabilizes the automotive, and sends you in your manner — all earlier than your mind finishes processing the slide. It cleans up your errors so shortly that you simply virtually really feel like a greater driver than you might be.

The grip is extraordinary — virtually unnatural for a 2.3-ton SUV. In need of disabling DSC fully, it’s almost unattainable to interrupt traction except you exceed physics. On the observe, that meant predictable, confidence-inspiring laps. On the street, it means the iX3 makes you are feeling invincible with out ever changing into unsafe.

Suspension, Trip High quality, and Tire Noise

BMW presently provides just one suspension choice: a passive metal setup. No adaptive dampers, no air suspension. On paper, that appears like dangerous information, particularly for a automotive with such a dynamic transient. In actuality, this metal suspension is great.

On the street, the iX3’s compliance is best than the G45 X3 on comparable wheels. It absorbs tough surfaces with out bouncing, retains vertical motion managed, and by no means crashes over growth joints. Consolation mode is tuned for every day usability, and over a whole lot of kilometers of regular roads, the iX3 felt well-damped, easy, and quiet.

Sport mode tightens every part up, delivering extra steering weight and much sharper physique management. However in contrast to some EVs that develop into jittery of their stiffest mode, the iX3 nonetheless feels composed.

Tire noise from the Goodyear summers was noticeable on coarse pavement however by no means intrusive. BMW makes use of lively noise cancellation to cut back high-frequency street noise, and the impact is actual. At 100 km/h, the inside measured round 63 dB. At 50–60 km/h, it hovered round 57–58 dB. These are glorious numbers for a car on 21-inch wheels.

Inside, Seating, Area, and On a regular basis Consolation

The cabin is one of the best inside BMW has put right into a non-flagship EV. Regardless that the M Sport Professional automotive I examined used an Alcantara and artificial leather-based mixture, the fabric high quality felt larger than within the G45 X3. Actual leather-based can be supplied as an choice. BMW additionally confirmed that the dashboard will ultimately be accessible in numerous supplies, not simply the translucent cloth used on early automobiles. No matter trim, the ambient mild will nonetheless shine by way of the sprint panel — a small however very cool element.

The M Sport seats deserve particular reward. I’m 6’2” (1.89 meters), and these seats match me completely. They provide glorious lateral help with out squeezing, robust lumbar help, and noticeably higher long-distance consolation than the earlier technology of BMW sport seats. Additionally they embrace a guide thigh extension, which the bottom seats lack. That alone makes the M Sport Professional bundle price contemplating.

Rear area is likely one of the iX3’s surprises. As a result of it’s an EV-first platform with no transmission tunnel, the rear flooring is flat, and knee room and headroom are virtually on par with a BMW X5. We examined three adults throughout the again — all tall — and the iX3 dealt with it surprisingly properly. Shoulder room was tight, as anticipated, however two adults and a toddler may have loads of area. Cargo quantity is beneficiant, with large entry and a deep trunk flooring. There’s additionally a 17-liter frunk that’s designed primarily for storing cables and equipment.

There are annoyances, although. BMW has eliminated the bodily toggle switches for the air vents, that means you now alter airflow path through the central display screen. It really works, but it surely’s much less intuitive than a bodily slider. The panoramic glass roof additionally not retracts, and there’s no opacity management. BMW insists their information exhibits few clients used the mechanical shade. The glass is closely tinted and heat-blocking, and in follow, it saved the cabin cool in full Spanish solar. However many patrons will nonetheless complain.

iDrive X, Panoramic Imaginative and prescient, and CarPlay Limitations

iDrive X is what OS9 ought to have been. It’s sooner, cleaner, extra logical, and far simpler to navigate. The horizontal “clustered” info design is much better than the vertical scrolling of iDrive 8 and eight.5, and all the system looks like a contemporary interface slightly than a bloated submenu maze. Each icon on the display screen performs a perform now — there are not any dead-end UI components.

The brand new Panoramic Imaginative and prescient show runs the size of the windshield and locations widgets, navigation information, and driving info immediately into the driving force’s ahead sightline. It’s surprisingly simple to learn in vibrant solar, partly as a result of BMW provides it a delicate 3D depth impact. I discovered myself counting on it greater than the head-up show for navigation as a result of the data sits decrease and naturally nearer to my area of view. For those who discover it cluttered, switching to “Silent Mode” leaves solely three core widgets lively.

CarPlay works properly, however with a big limitation: solely Apple Maps integrates into the head-up show and Panoramic Imaginative and prescient. Waze and Google Maps can’t mission, as a result of Apple doesn’t enable that stage of information sharing. Android Auto customers can show Google Maps and Waze in each the HUD and Panoramic Imaginative and prescient, so paradoxically, essentially the most superior BMW show integration presently favors Android. For those who use Apple Maps, although, the expertise is flawless.

Stage 2+ Freeway Assistant: Finest Model But

The iX3 makes use of BMW’s up to date Stage 2+ system with hands-free driving as much as 130 km/h (85 mph). The enhancements over the present model are noticeable. Lane modifications occur in three alternative ways: you’ll be able to merely look within the mirror to substantiate a transparent lane, and the automotive will immediate the lane change; you need to use the Lively Lane Change that triggers while you take a look at the mirror; otherwise you can provide the steering wheel a slight nudge, and the flip sign will activate itself because the automotive strikes over. So sure — the iX3 now offers BMW drivers with actually no excuse to not use their indicators.

My favourite change is small however significant: tapping the brake pedal not disengages the system. Solely a agency brake press will deactivate it. In heavy freeway visitors, this makes the system way more helpful.

Regen Braking: Finest within the Business

The brake regeneration system within the iX3 can deal with as much as 95 % of braking by way of power restoration underneath sure circumstances, that means the friction brakes are barely utilized in every day driving. BMW’s new “Adaptive” and “Brake” modes mechanically alter regen primarily based on topography, visitors, and pace. In “B” mode, you get a full one-pedal driving really feel, however with not one of the harshness you would possibly anticipate.

The smoothness is essentially the most spectacular half. BMW tuned the brake transition so rigorously that in Adaptive mode, the regen is so smooth it’s virtually imperceptible. Passengers who would possibly get sick in Teslas or different EVs will really feel significantly better right here. It’s no exaggeration: that is essentially the most refined regen system on any EV at present.

Vary and Effectivity within the Actual World

I began the day with almost 700 kilometers of indicated vary. After aggressive mountain driving, a number of regen exams, a freeway stint, and observe time at Ascari, the battery dropped to 82 % and nonetheless confirmed 669 kilometers remaining. Later, after heavier driving, the automotive learn simply over 500 kilometers at 56 %. Even underneath exhausting use, the iX3 returned consumption numbers within the low-18 kWh/100 km vary (3.3 miles per kWh).

That effectivity is extraordinary for a heavy EV SUV and speaks to how properly the sixth-generation battery system and motors are built-in.

iX3 vs. iX: The Comparability Everybody Desires

I’ve pushed the iX extensively, and whereas it stays BMW’s luxurious EV flagship, the iX3 makes it really feel dated. The iX remains to be quieter and extra comfy because of its air suspension, however every part else — together with charging pace, effectivity, regen smoothness, steering readability, and dynamic response — is best within the Neue Klasse iX3.

The iX3 weighs much less, prices at double the speed, corners flatter, feels extra agile, and easily drives higher. The value distinction widens the hole even additional. The iX3 is predicted to start out round $60,000 within the U.S. An equal iX xDrive60 begins near $90,000.

Put merely: if the iX is the posh cruiser, the iX3 is the driving force’s EV.

Ought to I Purchase One?

After a full day of street testing, observe testing, metropolis driving, and UI exploration, right here’s the conclusion: the 2026 BMW iX3 is BMW’s most full electrical car to this point.

It isn’t excellent although, not less than for now. It lacks ventilated seats and heated rear seats, regardless that BMW says they’re planning on providing these sooner or later. The panoramic roof doesn’t retract. There are fewer bodily buttons than ever, and the vent controls buried in iDrive X received’t please everybody. However as a driving machine — one thing that issues deeply to BMW lovers — the iX3 delivers on each entrance.

Neue Klasse promised a brand new technology of electrical BMWs. With the iX3, that promise lastly turns into actual. That is the EV for individuals who really love driving.