BMW iX3 EV

Double Apex was invited to the national media ride-and-drive event of the all-new BMW iX3 recently held in the Western Cape.

BMW, like so many of its rivals, has been forced to rethink its place in the automotive space. Sweeping changes to the mobility sector as well as challenges from new quarters have led many to reevaluate. The brand, well known for innovation, has embraced the challenge with the introduction of a raft of new models under the Neue Klasse banner. This is essentially a new generation of electric-first vehicles, platforms and aesthetic rejuvenation created to redefine the brand going forward.

Introduction of the all-new, battery powered BMW iX3 heralds the arrival of Neue Klasse in South Africa. The new model is sourced from a BMW plant in Hungary and isn’t produced alongside its sibling in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. It is also the start of an assault by BMW that brings 40 new models and/or updates to market between now and the end of 2027.

Standout appearance

The most obvious change from its current portfolio to the new-gen products is the new design language. The Neue Klasse BMW iX3 has several design cues that will rollout in other BMW models going forward. While immediately recognisable as a BMW, the latest iX3 has elements that are crisper and sharper, more modern, if you will. BMW’s traditional kidney grille and twin headlights remain but have been reinterpreted, giving it a fresh face. An all-new light signature takes the role previously performed by chrome grille surrounds.

Designers have retained a large, monolithic form, giving the SUV real road presence. Flush glass surfaces and door handles are features of the profile. The rear end features taillights that extend well into the centre of the tailgate. Although we did find that, despite the large taillamps, turn signals and brake lamps are represents by small LED strips just on the outer edges… weird. BMW SA is offering the iX3 with a range of alloy designs that span from 20- to 22-inches in diameter. Some of these are aero-tuned to help extend the car’s range. We drove the car pictured that rode on a set of 22s. They look great, but rather avoid if you live in a pothole-riddled area.

Minimalist Interior

The clean surfacing of the exterior carries over into the interior that has an uncluttered appearance which is led by the car’s digital experience. The cabin is all about driver focus. A ‘floating’ instrument panel, called BMW Panoramic Vision, sits at the base of the windscreen. It feels far more natural than a tiny digital display directly ahead of the driver. The screen flows smoothly into the large door cards. Fabric surfaces on the instrument panel contributes to a warm atmosphere inside. Large windows and a panoramic roof bathe the cabin in light. Light-coloured materials also help lift the ambience.

Central to the uncluttered appearance in the BMW’s all-new infotainment interface. It is, as is usually the case these days, the hub of all controls. This system, underpinned by new operating software seems quite intuitive to use with controls placed in well marked menus and generally easy to find. There are shortcut tabs on the lower edge of the screen for ventilation controls. Speaking of, the age of ‘digitalness’ has brought with it air-vent direction that is controlled from the touchscreen. Thankfully there are buttons for seat and mirror adjustments, as well as more buttons on the steering wheel.

One for now

BMW SA has introduced just a single derivative for now, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive. The iX3 50 is powered by two electric motors, which generate outputs of 345 kW and 645 N.m of torque in combination. BMW says the large SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. The two motors provide all-wheel-drive when needed, with the front item decoupling to save battery power when not.

The iX3 is built on the company’s sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology. As a result it boasts new high-voltage batteries with cylindrical cells and 800V architecture. The high-voltage battery is integrated into the vehicle’s body as a structural component, thereby helping to reduce mass. The battery has a usable energy content of 108,7 kWh. BMW says that this pack allows a range of up to 820 km. That is a pretty impressive number for a car of this size, easily eclipsing the Joburg-Durban N3 trek on a single charge. Rapid charging adds up to 372 km of range in just ten minutes, although you’re more likely to find rocking horse poo than a conveniently located high-speed charger in SA.

At a later stage BMW SA will add a 40 version to expand the range. This derivative will have a single motor on the rear axle that is powered by a slightly smaller battery pack. As a result it will have less power, but also less range.

First experience

We got to experience the iX3 50 xDrive from the Cape Winelands area along the Whale Coast Route, a winding road that is characterised by near-perfect tar. The bulk of our trip was conducted at moderate speeds, mostly in commuter traffic. In this scenario we got to enjoy the extremely quiet cabin of the new iX, totally isolated from the world outside from natural or mechanical noises.

When the moment presented itself we could simply blast past slow-moving vehicles with even the smallest of gaps in oncoming traffic, such is the urge and immediacy of the electrified powertrain. These small blasts did not hurt our overall range too much. BMW so confident with the car’s range that the company representatives didn’t even bother with charging the cars’ batteries at our overnight stop. Range anxiety, it would seem, is fast fading from the EV equation… well at this end of the scale anyway.

Summary

EV adoption in SA still lags behind most parts of the developed world. For perspective, this iX3 is close to reaching the 100 000-units-ordered mark in Europe. And the order books have only been open since the start of this year. The factory in Hungary that produces them broke through the 50 000 milestone in July of 2026. It indicative of how well people have taken to this model.

However, that does not mean that brands, such as BMW, with a presence and a strong following in SA can afford to ignore the latest toys from its portfolio. BMW SA will continue to offer the ‘traditional’ X3 locally. Although, in time, that model will also get a facelift that brings its appearance in line with the iX3. What this means is that potential buyers will get to choose from a raft of powertrain options, which will pretty much cement the X3s continued success locally, with the iX3 the tech-laden cherry at the top.