The BMW iX3 is quite an important vehicle for the German car manufacturer and even though it isn’t a ground-up electric vehicle but is instead based on the ICE-powered X3, it could prove quite popular. Mat Watson from CarWow recently had the opportunity to test it.
Powering the iX3 is an 80 kWh battery pack and an electric motor that delivers 282 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. According to BMW, it can travel up to 285 miles (460 km) on a full charge under the WLTP testing cycle, which should more than enough for most buyers.
BMW has also designed the electric SUV to be compatible with 150 kW DC fast-charging, allowing the battery to be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in 34 minutes. A quick 10-minute charge adds 62 miles (100 km) of range.
Read More: 2021 BMW iX3 Revealed As The Brand’s First Electric SUV With 285 Miles Of Range
From a visual perspective, the iX3 looks largely identical to the ICE model although it comes adorned with a plethora bright blue accents to differentiate it from the standard model. Inside, things are exactly the same as regular X3 variants, although the presence of the electric motor under the trunk does slightly reduce luggage space.
What’s it like to drive? One nice thing is the fact that it offers a one-pedal driving mode, which is perfect for use around town. The performance is also very impressive, despite its weight and the fact that all of the power is sent to the rear wheels.
The thing is, competition in the all-electric premium SUV segment is getting stiffer; so, can the iX3 beat models like the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron?