BMW iX3 preview: Australia officially has EVs with over 800 km of range

Over the last couple of years, I’ve driven quite a few luxury EV offerings as they’ve arrived on our shores, including those from BMW, which has held a strong foothold with its electric lineup. In 2026, though, the brand is about to have a major shift with its new BMW iX3 Neue Klasse (New Class). I recently attended a static display of the next-gen electric SUV in Melbourne that is expected to take the brand known for its ultimate driving machines into a new era in Australia.  Even standing still, the model felt like a sneak peek into what the next decade holds for BMW’s future models and here in Australia, possibly the longest range EV with 805 km of range. The specs for the launch-edition iX3 50 xDrive are up there with the German best. It packs BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive tech, which moves to an 800 V architecture and cylindrical battery cells, helping deliver a massive 805 km WLTP range from a 108 kWh battery pack.  This really ends range anxiety for Australians still sitting on the fence about EVs, and how they don’t have the range when travelling interstate. For when you do need to stop, the new iX3 can charge at up to 400 kW at the right fast charger, adding 350 km of range in just 10 minutes. 

That is a game-changer for SUVs from any of the European brands, with not many chargers around the country currently able to hit those speeds. Having said that, they are coming. Performance is just as good, thanks to the dual-motor setup, which produces 345 kW and 645 Nm. This will help the family SUV do the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds.  From the outside, the Neue Klasse design looks new as it moves away from the oversized kidney grilles found on a few of its recent models.  The front end is now horizontal and quite sleek. The headlights this time are integrated into a wide, illuminated band, making it look clean, without giving up on the car’s heritage. Speaking of heritage, it borrows elements of styling from a series of sedans that the brand launched in the 1960s, which laid the foundation for the brand’s global success, and in ways, the new car is showing the brand’s future global EV model lineup. Size-wise, the car comes in at almost 4.8 metres in length and looks fairly well planted, thanks to its long wheelbase.  In the iX3 50 variant, which was on display, the 22-inch wheels, which are designed with aerodynamics in mind, along with the flush door handles, help the car get to a coefficient of drag of just 0.24, down from 0.27 in the current X3 SUV. The rear of the car is also quite nice and will be easy to spot, especially at night, with its new taillight design. 

Speaking of the back, the chargeport is located on the driver’s side, and is motorised, opening upwards when the flap is pushed. There is also a button on the inside to close it once charging is done. Stepping inside the new iX3 and the cabin is very airy since the brand has gone away with quite a few physical buttons, keeping only the essential buttons in place.  The traditional instrument cluster found in most of its previous EVs is also gone, but it does pack something quite special where it used to be. In its place is BMW’s new Panoramic Vision. This is a projection display that stretches across the entire base of the windscreen along the width of the car. 

It projects all key driving and essential information directly into your line of sight and will be the first locally available car in Australia to feature this tech. I was very impressed with the functionality of this panoramic display and the customisation around it. Can’t wait to test it out in the real world, but from the glimpse I got, it’s very clear and easy to read from many different angles, unlike a heads-up display in many cars.  And wait, there is also the heads-up display on offer, which would be welcomed by many drivers. In the middle though, there is a central 17.9-inch screen that is angled towards the driver, a nice touch I thought. The software is very fast, and I found it quite easy to get around the settings and features, even just minutes after getting in. Sitting inside, the materials were very BMW, soft, plush and sporty at the same time. The same can be said about the steering wheel, which is slightly unconventional in its styling, but as someone looking for a sporty feel, this steering wheel is great to have your hands wrapped around in the 3 and 9 spots. BMW has used recycled textiles and bio-based materials in many parts of the car. The back seats also felt quite spacious, thanks to the panoramic glass roof, which helps the light get in while keeping the heat out.  I can see long road trips with the family quite comfortable in the back seats, but of course, the suspension and the feel of the car will also need to be tested on the road to double-check that. Even with the futuristic tech, it’s still a family SUV. The boot offers 520 litres of space. There is also a 58-litre frunk under the bonnet, good for a pizza box or some charging cables. The flat floor in the back means three adults can actually sit easily on most trips.

Another bit of tech which would be welcomed by owners is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. This means you can power appliances from the car’s battery with power of up to 3.7 kW available. That is perfect for families, from camping to emergency home backup in case the power cuts out. The 2026 iX3 Neue Klasse is expected to arrive at local dealers by mid-2026, with prices likely to start around $120,000. It will face quite a bit of competition from Audi, Mercedes and Porsche, but thanks to all the tech in battery efficiency, huge range and interior design, it’s a luxury SUV that is hard to ignore as it sets what’s ahead. Seeing it in person did firm up one thing. BMW is no longer playing catch-up. They have built a platform that shows what a premium EV should be. It is future-focused, sustainable, and undeniably German in its engineering.  The Neue Klasse is very likely the new benchmark in German EVs, and we can’t wait to see what it’s like on our roads later this year.