ON TEST: BMW iX3
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iX3 proves BMW fans have nothing to fear from the electric switch The iX3 offers everything great that you’d expect from a BMW... with electric power. No wonder Andrew Walker was so keen to give it a test drive
T
he premium brands seem to be adding an electric SUV to their range on a weekly basis at the moment. Some are going down the all-new platform route – Jaguar I-PACE, for example, while others, notably Mercedes with the EQC, are tagging a battery on to an existing petrol/diesel design. That’s what BMW has done with the electric iX3. While the iX3 is new, it’s based on the petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid X3 which has been around for a while. However, as we found out on our test drive, this isn’t actually a hinderance. We drove the Premier Edition Pro. This has only a limited release, so perhaps it’s better to look at models in and around that bracket as decent options. Customers can choose from the M Sport or M Sport Pro. M Sport costs from £59,730 and spec includes 19” alloys, automatic air con, an electric sunroof and parking sensors. M Sport Pro, adds 20” alloys, a head-up display, a Harman-Kardon stereo, parking assistance and auto high beam. Rather than give their EV a ‘Gerry Anderson’ makeover, BMW has sensibly made the iX3 SUV look very much like a normal X3. Electric iX3 M Sport features slightly slimmer headlights, the wheels are black alloy and the kidney grille is also black, and that’s about that. Slip inside and it’s a cracking set-up. We’ve driven almost all of the competition and although the BMW’s interior may not offer quite the X Factor of a Model 3, or even the Ford Mustang Mach E, it’s brilliantly put together and finished in top quality plastics and leather. BMW’s infotainment system is excellent, coming as it does with a super-clear screen and intuitive menus, all operated by the iDrive controller located on the centre console. Separate heating controls sit underneath and overall, it’s definitely a more conventional set up than found elsewhere. Front seat passengers sit quite high and are cosseted in comfortable leather seats. Rear seat passengers have plenty of head and legroom, their own climate controls, an armrest with two cup holders and twin C USB inputs.
18 | December 2021 | Company Car & Van
The boot is 40 litres smaller than in the standard X3, but still offers a useful 510 litres, while folding the rear seats flat increases this to 1,560 litres. The boot floor is flat and can be lifted to reveal storage for the cars two electric charging cables. In cabin storage includes a good-sized glove box, front door pockets, a cubby in the centre consoles and under armrest storage. Battery, range and charging The iX3 features an 80kWh battery and 282 bhp electric motor. Range is claimed to be 280 miles. Charging at home via a 7kW wall box, such as our own Rolec, takes 12 hours from empty to full. Those with three-phase electrics can take advantage of the BMW’s faster 11kW
TECH DATA BMW ix3 Premier Edition Pro Price: £61,770 CO2: 0 g/km Range: 280 miles Engine: 80kWh battery coupled to an electric motor 0-62: 6.8 seconds Top speed: 112mph Power/ torque: 282bhp/400Nm
on-board charger and if you plug in to a 150kW ultra rapid charger, the iX3 will charge from 10-80% full, in only 30 minutes. To retain your iX3’s battery range the car defaults to Eco Pro mode from take off. This setting works well, including on the motorway. The Comfort option is a happy compromise and is probably best for most situations. Sport mode sharpens the senses of the iX3 as well as the fun factor, but be warned, the ride gets much, much harsher – and the range falls away, as you’d expect. The iX3’s regenerative braking system, features three regen settings: low, medium and high. They’re not as easy to find as you’d think and require a bit of fiddling. They are located within the infotainment system menu. By far the easiest way to select regen is to simply push the gear lever across to B mode, which acts as a rapid shortcut to the highest regeneration mode. BMW has also added a fourth ‘Adaptive’ setting, whereby the SatNav and radar automatically decides which level of braking to use depending on the road and traffic conditions. By selecting this option, BMW claims, almost all reducing speed scenarios can be handled without using the brake pedal.
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