2027 BMW iX3 First Drive Review

The all-electric 2027 BMW iX3 is the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse of vehicles.

The brand says the iX3 is a true software-defined vehicle — a fancy way of describing ones that can be continuously updated over the air — and represents the next leap in technology and design for BMW. Mike Reichelt, head of the Neue Klasse project (which translates from German as “new class”), describes the supercomputer dedicated to running the sub-functions related to driving dynamics as the “heart of joy,” while three more run the rest of the iX3’s functions. Compare this to the dozens of smaller control modules used in current vehicles, electric or otherwise, to run the various systems and subsystems, and it’s easy to see what sets this one apart.

Inspired By the Past

This isn’t the first time the company has launched a Neue Klasse line. In the late 1950s, BMW was on the brink of financial collapse and came out with a new sedan — the 1600 — that helped establish its identity as a producer of luxury sport sedans for the next 50 years. The 3-, 5-, and 7 Series sedans that followed quickly became the industry benchmarks for their respective segments.

Design cues like the kidney grilles, quad headlights, and the “Hofmeister kink” were established under the first Neue Klasse era, and they continue into this latest one that starts with the iX3. More importantly, the company is emphasizing that driving pleasure is still one of its key tenets.

Next-Generation EV

Reichelt says it’s like the new iX3 skipped a generation. It’s a fully electric platform running on BMW’s latest Gen 6 battery cells, Gen 6 e-axle motors, and an 800-volt electrical architecture. It was a complete clean-sheet design, marking the first time in Reichelt’s career he’s had the opportunity to start a project from scratch.

The iX3 50 xDrive tested here produces 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque from dual electric motors. Range from the 108-kWh battery is estimated at more than 650 km — an impressive figure made possible by the new cylindrical battery cells that have 20 per cent more energy density than current lithium-ion units and can charge 30 per cent faster.

BMW says the iX3 can fast charge at a rate of 400 kW, adding a claimed 372 km in just 10 minutes. The problem, at least for now, is that we don’t have chargers capable of that kind of output in Canada; the best we get is 350 kW.

Dynamic Precision

All the software and coding that went into the four supercomputers in the iX3 was done in-house. The “heart of joy” driving dynamics computer controls acceleration, braking, energy recuperation, and steering subfunctions, and can process information up to 20 times faster than previous systems.

With internal combustion-powered vehicles, which need time to respond and select the right gear, such a fast system wasn’t necessary. But thanks to the instantaneous response acceleration of electric vehicles (EVs), there’s a big advantage to faster processing times.

The steering is laser precise and very quick, but it’s the lack of steering input that’s needed to dial in and hold a line through a corner that’s most impressive. There’s less hunting and guessing, and mid-corner curbing and bumps do little to phase the chassis or the steering.

On the road, the iX3 can respond much more quickly to changing surface and weather conditions, instantly adjusting torque output with micron precision. It makes you feel like a more natural driver, and it was far too easy to drive quickly on a racetrack, even though BMW told us that it was never intended to be a track vehicle in any way.

It rides very well, is quiet and stable at highway speeds, and efficient with an average reading of less than 19.0 kWh/100 km during this test, which included some very spirited driving up and down twisty mountain roads in the south of Spain.

Interior Renaissance

BMW released the first version of iDrive in 2001 on the controversially styled 7 Series, which had the infamous “Bangle butt” rear end, double pod dashboard, and turn signal stalks that returned to centre after activating. Chief among these was the iDrive controller — a rotary knob to control the infotainment system. Initial reviews were negative, but the rotary controller was quickly adopted by many other companies.

The iX3 will get rid of it completely for another screen, which is actually a light projection that stretches from pillar to pillar across the base of the windshield, and is part of what BMW is calling Panoramic iDrive. It’s separated into multiple segments that can be customized to display all sorts of information like the weather, performance data, air quality, and much more.

There’s also a driver-focused 17.9-inch central touchscreen that runs BMW’s latest infotainment software called OS X. It’s been designed to minimize the menus and the amount of button presses required to activate functions, or set a destination in the navigation system.

The dashboard is wrapped in knit textiles that have LED lighting embedded underneath and everything inside feels expensive. It’s a big step up from what you’ll find in the current BMW X3. It also reminds me of what BMW has done with the new Mini Cooper interior. Overall, there’s a bit more space for passengers, despite the iX3 being slightly shorter than the gas-powered X3.

No Pricing Yet

The 2027 BMW iX3 will go on sale in the summer of 2026. Canadian pricing will be announced before that time.