BMW iX3 (2026) Launch Review

BMW South Africa has launched the first Neue Klasse model locally – the all-new iX3. Boasting 400kW charging technology, sportscar-rivalling performance and a completely redesigned exterior and interior, the brand believes this vehicle will usher in a fresh era for the company.

In a segment that the Chinese have begun to disrupt by offering luxury and new energy vehicles, can the new BMW iX3 meet the demands of the ever-evolving luxury market? I was hoping to answer this question while driving BMW‘s latest EV SUV at its local launch…

The fact that you’re able to pay R1 319 900 for a BYD Sealion 7 Performance EV or R999 000 for an Omoda C9 SHS shows that the Chinese manufacturers believe they can conquer the luxury market. In fact, outside of South Africa, there is a wide array of luxury SUVs that the Chinese are making and selling successfully. It’s only a matter of time before our market stops seeing Chinese cars as just budget-friendly vehicles, especially as more luxury models are launched. You might wonder what this has to do with the new BMW iX3 … let me explain.

Before vehicles like the Omoda C9 existed, if you wanted luxury, style, technology, practicality and performance, your only choice was to purchase a model from a traditional luxury marque: Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz. If your tastes were a little more avant-garde, you’d look at a Lexus, Jaguar or Volvo.

However, since the Chinese have been offering entry-level luxury at a fraction of the price of those vehicles from traditional manufacturers, consumer behaviour has changed significantly. Think of the sales that have been lost to the likes of a Jaecoo J7 or a Jetour T2. As much as it might seem that the popularity of these vehicles doesn’t affect luxury brands like BMW because they do not compete in the same segment, in this economy, value for money is the most important thing to a modern consumer.

The revolution of the automotive industry globally has given the power back to the consumer. Each buyer now has the ability to ask: “Why?” Why should I spend R1 690 000 on the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive when I can have a BYD or even an iCaur for less than half that amount?

Read more: BMW iX3 (2025) International Launch Review

Even consumers who can afford the iX3 are asking these important questions. For a luxury car brand to survive in this new age, it needs to differentiate itself. That’s exactly what BMW is trying to do.

Can the iX3 stand out among the crowd?

This brings me to Neue Klasse, BMW’s new buzz term that translates to “new class”. BMW has realised that, to stay on top, it has to be radical, at least in terms of design. The new iX3 is the first to roll off the line with this new aesthetic and, I must admit, it looks great.

You can spend a long time staring at the new iX3 and notice new details. But the element that’s most effective is how different it looks compared to anything else. It’s a mashup between an iX and the new BMW X3, so there are familiar cues; it’s not as jarring as the iX was when it first came to our market.

Displays for days

However, the interior is the star of the show. You’re met with a large 17.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display which is overshadowed by the new Panoramic iDrive, which spans the top of the dashboard. This feature alone makes the iX3 feel like a car from The Jetsons.

The iX3 makes use of 4 “Superbrain” high-performance computers to control various functions. The driving brain is called the “Heart of Joy”, which is the computer responsible for making the iX3 drive like a BMW should. More on that later.

In terms of space, the iX3 is slightly longer and lower than the current BMW X3. It offers enough room for 5 adults. Ergonomically, the vehicle is easy enough to master and, while the new iDrive seems intimidating at first, it’s relatively easy to pair phones and access the vehicle’s settings.

Interestingly, a number of users on social media found the new steering wheel to be distracting as it looks like it’s upside down (blame the top vertical spoke). Overall, the exterior and interior of the new Neue Klasse BMW iX3 definitely stand out compared to other EV SUVs in the market. 

What’s the iX3 like to drive?

The true defining characteristic of a BMW is the way it drives. The aforementioned Chinese competition have not yet launched a vehicle locally to rival the premium marques from a driving perspective. This element is very important when considering “why?”. BMW is renowned for offering dynamically satisfying vehicles and I’m happy to report that the new iX3 doesn’t disappoint.

Remember that driving brain? It works overtime to ensure that the iX3 remains poised on the road. While the model I drove, the 50 xDrive, uses all-wheel drive technology, it remains rear biased. When the vehicle feels that it needs more traction, it engages the front wheels to come to the rescue.

Thanks to the batteries sitting deep within the structure, the iX3 benefits from a low centre of gravity, so despite it weighing 2.36 tonnes, it turns in beautifully. The steering system feels well weighted, allowing you to have a good understanding of where to place the vehicle in corners.

The iX3 uses a large 108.7 kWh battery to power an electric motor producing 345 kW and 645 Nm. Paired with the immediate throttle response you get from an EV, the result is a very rapid vehicle. In short, the iX3 has not lost that iconic BMW feel. In fact, considering how dynamic the vehicle felt during our test route, I’d go as far as saying the iX3 felt very exciting to drive.

BMW claims the iX3 can reach up to 820 km on a single charge. Realistically, you’re looking at 600-650 km, which is still exceedingly impressive. The iX3 also supports a charging rate of up to 400 kW.

Final thoughts

So, then, the “why?…

Why would a consumer be tempted to buy the new BMW iX3? Thankfully, Neue Klasse isn’t just a term joined by the brand’s marketing department. The new-generation BMW iX3 feels like a completely new generation of BMW, one that has kept the ethos of BMW at its heart but offers a more modern experience. Despite it lacking an internal-combustion engine, the iX3 still manages to have a soul, which is something not all EVs can match. That is why this vehicle should do well in our market and globally.

It’s already been awarded as the 2026 World Car Of The Year title and, after driving it, we can understand why. If BMW keeps making EVs and ICE-powered cars similar to the new iX3, it should remain at the forefront of the premium market despite new, stiff competition.