For the past two years, BMW has been slowly unveiling details about its next-generation electric vehicle platform, the Neue Klasse. Despite this extended buildup, the anticipation hasn’t quite gripped me. I’ve seen the expansive dashboard displays, engaged in numerous discussions with engineers about the revamped active safety features, and even test-driven a prototype.

All this buildup culminates in the launch of a crossover SUV, a category not typically known for excitement. Yet, after a day spent driving the finished iX3, I must admit the anticipation was justified. This SUV, though compact, marks a significant milestone for BMW’s electric vehicle lineup and could potentially counteract the current EV market slowdown.

For automotive manufacturers, platforms are crucial. They enable the efficient and cost-effective development of various models by utilizing a shared foundation, including chassis, engines, suspension, and software. BMW’s Neue Klasse, which translates to “New Class,” represents its latest platform designed to underpin a new generation of EVs.

The iX3 leads this new wave, sized comparably to BMW’s traditional X3, with ample cargo room and seating for five. This new platform strategically places the battery low in the vehicle, with motors at both the front and rear. While this configuration isn’t novel in the EV world, it marks a shift for BMW, whose previous electric offerings were built on systems initially intended for gas engines. This time, the platform is tailored specifically for electric vehicles.

Packed with a 108.7kWh battery, the iX3’s dual motors deliver 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. It’s expected to achieve a maximum range of around 400 miles, outpacing Tesla’s longest-range Model Y by approximately 40 miles, although official EPA testing is still pending.

According to BMW’s engineers, the iX3’s advanced electrical architecture is its standout feature, incorporating more efficient motors and silicon-carbide inverters. It also boasts rapid charging capabilities of up to 400kW, provided you can access an adequately powered outlet. Notably, this will be BMW’s first model to feature the Tesla-style NACS plug.

A quick glance in the cabin of the iX3 reveals the SUV’s biggest tech upgrade: the pillar-to-pillar Panoramic Vision display. Think of it like an ultra-widescreen heads-up display that acts as a gauge cluster on the left, but has six customizable sections in the middle and the right where you can display anything from efficiency information to whatever’s playing on Spotify.

Enough never being enough, the iX3 also has an actual 3D heads-up display that projects above the Panoramic Vision, plus a 17.9-inch, 3,340 x 1,440 rhomboid-shaped touchscreen for good measure. It’s display overload and a little overwhelming the first time you get in the car, but I found it to be seamless enough to not be a distraction. If it all seems like a bit too much for you, it’s easy enough to disable the more expansive or attention-grabbing display sections.

The in-car experience is paired with an upgraded My BMW app that not only lets you remotely park the car from outside and get a 3D view of the inside or outside of the car; you can even queue up playlists on your phone or give your passengers control to do the same from their own devices.

To experience the more important tech upgrades, though, you need to be behind the wheel.

Taking back control from many of today’s more advanced active safety systems in cars can sometimes feel like wrestling. Often, a firm yank of the wheel is required to override a lane-centering system, which can result in a disconcertingly jerky experience for your passengers.

The iX3, on the other hand, is designed to be totally seamless. If you have BMW’s Highway Assistant enabled, it’ll steer itself in most situations on the highway, but you can just reach up and grab the wheel whenever you like. There’s no resistance to overcome, and if you let go the car just takes over again.

Even if you want to change lanes the car can help you there. When prompted, glance in the mirror and the car will change lanes on its own. Or, if you grab the wheel and change lanes yourself, the car will apply the turn signal for you automatically.

BMW’s system will also stay enabled if you hit the brake pedal. You can come to a complete stop if you like, then release the brake and the car will smoothly bring itself back up to speed. The system stays engaged until you turn it off — or hit the brakes more aggressively — working with you instead of against you.

This new safety system feels a bit odd at first. It took me some time to figure out when it was on and when it was off. But, after a few minutes on the highway, I got into the groove of things. It really did feel more like working collaboratively with the car instead of having its systems constantly turning on and off. The hands-off system worked extremely well, too, cleanly moving through traffic.

It wasn’t until I hit some secondary country roads that I could get a feel for just how good the iX3 was to drive, though. That dual-motor setup means full-time all-wheel drive, but the power split between those two motors changes depending on what drive mode you’re in. The car feels safe and secure in Personal, the regular drive mode. Drive it as aggressively as you want and it just has a calm, predictable nature that makes it easy to keep pointed in the right direction without too much input from the driver.

Switch over to Sport, though, and the tail kicks out just a bit under hard acceleration, making the iX3 feel like a traditional, rear-driven BMW. This isn’t a rocket ship, but it is quick and the suspension strikes a great balance between predictable, comfortable handling and sporty response. Even the steering feels sharp and has respectable feedback, just like BMWs of old.

In a lot of ways, this wholly new package feels like a return to form, a new SUV that has engaging driving and safety at its core but blends in enough luxury and refinement to keep its premium cachet. But it isn’t a sure-fire success. For one thing, there’s the look. BMW has been pushing boundaries with many of its latest designs, and the iX3 certainly has an edgy style. After initially hating it, I have to admit that after a day behind the wheel I quickly warmed up to the iX3’s appearance, particularly when viewed from the rear.

Even if you like the SUV’s style, there’s still the question of cost. BMW hasn’t set formal pricing for the 2026 BMW iX3 yet, only that it will start around $60,000. That puts it at least $10,000 more than a base, gas-powered X3 SUV. With federal EV incentives no longer at play, that delta could be a difficult one for many shoppers to stomach.

But, despite sharing most of a name, these two SUVs feel worlds apart. With enough range and fast enough charging to obliterate range anxiety, plus with an abundance of volume, handling, and comfort, the EV is the obvious play for those with room in their budget.

Photography by Tim Stevens