Why The BMW iX3 Is Exactly The Kind Of EV We've Been Waiting For

The first time I saw the BMW iX3 in person, I was immediately impressed. But I also thought: "What a shame that it's going to cost $85,000, or something."

I've never been happier to be wrong. It turns out that the new iX3, which packs 400 miles of range, some next-level charging speeds, impressive performance and a leap ahead in technology from past electric BMWs, will start around $60,000 in the United States.

Granted, that's not exactly cheap. But it's also not mind-bogglingly expensive. In fact, it's pretty comparable to a nicely equipped gas-powered BMW X3, but with some of the best specs we've seen so far from any modern EV. 

We're going to talk about why we're excited for the iX3 on this week's Plugged-In Podcast. 

My co-host Tim Levin drove the iX3 in Spain recently, and you should check out his article and video review if you haven't already. But it's clear from his experience, and other glowing reviews we've seen, that BMW's first 800-volt EV is a cut way above even the good stuff the automaker has cranked out so far.

And it's nearly at cost parity with the gas X3. That's the important part, really. Isn't this what we've all been waiting for? An EV that's priced well, packed with great specs, and can stand on its own in the marketplace without needing tax credits and subsidies to make a case for itself? I think so, and I'm excited for more EVs like this in the years to come.

But the iX3 launches at a tough time in America. Just this week, President Donald Trump finished the work of gutting fuel economy regulations, which means gas-car drivers will pay more at the pump and automakers have less incentive to advance their electric fleets by the 2030s. We'll dig into the downstream effects of that policy change.

And then Tim scored a great interview with John Harris, cofounder and CEO of Harbinger Motors, about the future of commercial EVs—and what automakers are getting wrong about the whole electric market. Harris has a lot of hard truths for the whole field, so I suggest tuning into their full chat.

Check out the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We're on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and other platforms. Thanks for subscribing if you like what you hear.

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com

Past Podcast Episodes

Is The Jeep Recon The Electric Wrangler We Wanted—Or Another Dud?

Everything We Know About The Rivian-Volkswagen Joint Venture

Can The Rivian R2 Be The Game-Changer The EV World Needs Right Now?

The Self-Driving Race Is Fully Back On