This is an exciting time for BMW. The company’s UK CEO, David George, has confirmed that we can expect to see more than 40 new vehicles by the end of 2027. The first of the ‘Neue Klasse’ (New Class) range of cars is the iX3, recently launched to UK media at the firm’s UK base in Farnborough. This allowed them to display some of their historic cars, and they were most proud of an original Neue Klasse, a stunning 1961 BMW 1800.

Also on show were the i3 and i8, two striking EVs that are now well over 10 years old and if launched today would still attract interest and buyers.

My journey to Farnborough was in a rival manufacturer’s upmarket EV, with a real-world range of some 250 miles, so some public charging was required for the round trip, which does add a layer of complication to life. The new iX3 promises to change all that with a range of up to 500 miles. I was excited to find out whether this was really possible.

My ‘Ocean Wave Blue’ M Sport model glistened in the spring sunshine and there’s no doubt it’s a striking looking car. A smaller front grille than many BMWs of late is a distinct improvement and overall, I liked the pared back design. Less brash and in my opinion a return to form.

There’s a lot of tech in the new iX3, so much so that each journalist was assigned a member of the BMW team to talk us through it all, before we ventured out onto Hampshire’s roads. Most of it was easy to grasp, and later in the day I spent some time quietly parked in a layby delving further into it all.

Most noticeable is the new Panoramic iDrive which is a slim display that spans the full width of the car, just below the windscreen. Vital information is shown in front of the driver, such as range and speed. However, the rest of the display is fully customisable, and there’s fun to be had dropping in your favourite widgets. The central touchscreen is angles towards the driver and there are further controls on the steering wheel, the design of which was rather unusual on my test car.

The iX3 was designed as an EV from the start, with its battery sandwiched in the floorplan. As a result, interior space is generous in both front and rear. Boot is a massive 520-litres and there’s a small frunk ideal for muddy boots or charging cables.

There will be a full range of iX3 models, but initially all are 50 xDrive models with 463hp. Prices start at £58,755, though BMW expect most buyers to upgrade to an M Sport (£61,255). M Sport Pro models can be had for a further £1,500. All are extremely well equipped as standard, but most will likely raid the extensive options list.

My M Sport test car had over £10,000 worth of options, the Technology Pack (Head-up display, Harman/Kardon audio and 3-zone air conditioning) at £1,700 the most notable. I’d keep the heated steering wheel too, a bargain at £250. In total then, £71,426.50 as driven. Not cheap but competitive with the competition.

I’ve owned quite a few BMWs and driven plenty, and overall, the marque still caters for the keen driver. The iX3 is simplicity itself to drive. Climb aboard, foot firmly on the brake and engage drive and you’re off. The iX3 is a quick car with a 0-60mph sprint time of well under 5 seconds. With 645Nm of torque, instant acceleration is available at any speed and the iX3 will finally run out of puff at 130mph, perhaps important for German autobahn cruisers.

Traction from the 4WD system ensures all that power can be deployed safely and the brakes are powerful and easy to modulate. There’s a ‘Soft Stop’ function, so no jerky pull-ups at traffic lights and junctions. It’s a slightly odd sensation.

Many heavy EVs (the iX3 weighs in at over 2,300kg) don’t ride especially well, but I found the BMW coped admirably with Hampshire’s pock-marked roads. Only the very deepest craters made a small impression, and the car was sporting optional 22-inch wheels. I did try ‘Sport’ mode, which is accompanied by some wooshing noises, but I preferred a more relaxed gait on unfamiliar roads.

On some of the faster sections of the test route I was pleased to find the iX3 resisted body roll and was quick to change direction. It’s no sports car, but undoubtedly better than most of its SUV rivals, and one in which the solo driver can have fun on some favourite roads.

And then the range, with that halo figure. Could the iX3 really be the car to top 500 miles of range? I set off from BMW HQ with a 95 percent battery charge and a predicted range of 470 miles. So, in warmer weather, and driven gently most probably yes!

After some five hours behind the wheel, I returned the car to its maker with 81 percent remaining and a predicted range of 370 miles. The onboard computer suggested I had achieved a tad under 4 miles per kWh and should you need to use a public charger, the iX3 can accept charging speeds up to 400kW, so any stop will be brief. 10 minutes could add over 200 miles of range.

BMW were keen to demonstrate some of the built-in self-driving technology, so at the lunch stop I was able to sample the self-parking function. It works well for those that struggle to parallel park or reverse into a parking bay. If you have the BMW app on your phone, you can even use it to move the car backwards and forwards, ideal if you have an especially narrow garage. And should the UK government allow, the iX3 will be able to be fully self-driving. I have mixed feelings about that.

So, as I climbed back aboard a rival company’s EV for the return journey, my first thought was how many charging stops I would need to get home. Two was the answer, something that would not have been needed if I had been at the wheel of the new iX3.

This striking new model excels in almost all other areas too. Its spacious, good to drive, efficient and in my eyes at least, looks good. I look forward to the raft of new BMWs to come, but in the meantime, the iX3 looks likely to cause a stir on the new car market.

Fast Facts (as tested)
BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport
Price with options £71,462.50
463hp & 645Nm
0-62mph in 4.9 seconds
Top speed 130mph
Official range 574 miles (city)
Electric range 457 miles
Unladen weight 2,360kg