BMW iX3 40 Delivers Nearly 400 Miles Of Range For Less Money

BMW has just made its newest electric SUV a good deal more accessible. The BMW iX3 40 slots in beneath the existing dual-motor 50 xDrive as a leaner, lighter and more affordable way into the brand’s latest Neue Klasse platform. With a single rear-mounted electric motor, a smaller battery pack and a starting figure that undercuts its bigger sibling by a healthy margin, this new entry-level variant looks set to open the door for a wave of buyers who want cutting-edge BMW electric technology without stretching to the top of the range.

The headline change is under the floor. The iX3 40 swaps the 112 kWh battery found in the 50 xDrive for a more compact 82.6 kWh unit, yet it still manages a claimed 395 miles of range on a single charge. That is a remarkably competitive figure for what BMW is positioning as its most affordable iX3, and it should comfortably cover most drivers’ weekly routines without needing to visit a public charger. When you do need to plug in, the car rides on the same 800-volt electrical architecture as its pricier sibling, enabling a peak charging rate of 300 kW. In practical terms, that translates to 186 miles of range added in just ten minutes, with a 10 to 80 per cent top-up taking around 21 minutes. Those are numbers that take much of the stress out of longer journeys.

On the performance front, the single rear motor produces 315 bhp and 500 Nm of torque, enough to launch the iX3 40 from standstill to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. That is roughly 1.2 seconds behind the dual-motor variant, but the trade-off could work in the car’s favour elsewhere. With one fewer motor and a lighter battery contributing to reduced overall kerb weight, the iX3 40 has the potential to feel more agile and more efficient than its all-wheel-drive counterpart in everyday driving. Less mass generally means sharper turn-in, lighter steering response and better energy consumption, all qualities that could make this the sweeter car to drive daily.

Everything else that made the iX3 50 xDrive so impressive at launch carries over unchanged. The bold Neue Klasse exterior design remains intact, as does the Panoramic iDrive digital cockpit with its full-width head-up display and large central touchscreen. BMW’s whimsically named “Heart of Joy” central computer continues to manage all vehicle systems and powertrain functions, and buyers can expect the same Sport, M Sport and M Sport Pro trim levels that are available on the rest of the range. The driving dynamics that earned the iX3 strong early praise also appear to be fully preserved, which bodes well for a car that already impressed testers with its composure and precision.

Since its debut at last year’s Munich Motor Show, the iX3 has generated enough demand to force BMW to increase production capacity. This new entry-level model should only accelerate that momentum. A genuine 395 miles of claimed range, rapid charging on an 800-volt platform and the full iX3 experience at a lower outlay make the 40 variant a compelling proposition for anyone who has been watching from the sidelines. With UK availability set for summer 2026, it will not be long before this lighter, rear-driven iX3 starts appearing on driveways across the country.