Another Week, Another Electric Car

23 May 2022

Start the conversation

By Paul Gover.

Australians may still be reluctant to join the massive European rush towards electric cars but that has not stopped a growing number landing in local showrooms.

The latest, for me, is the BMX iX3.

It’s fully battery electric, not just some form of hybrid, and it is instantly familiar.

That’s because the iX3 is a ‘conversion’ car and not a road-up electric drive.

BMW has taken a regular X3 from the middle of its SUV line-up, fitted a giant battery pack into the floor, and converted it to run on volts instead of unleaded.

The result picks up the strengths of the X3, which is one of the better prestige contenders in its class, and adds the 2022 appeal of a plug-in battery drive.

The downside is obvious, as the starting price jumps up to $114,900, but buyers benefit from the proven strengths of the X3 and a fully-loaded specification that includes a giant sunroof.

The best offset is five years of free charging through the Chargefox network of public charging stations. But BMW is still holding firm on a three-year warranty when its direct rivals, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, have upgraded to five.

At first, the X3 gives very little hint of its upgrade to electric.

The shape is just the same as the combustion car and the cabin is also a mirror of the petrol-powered X3.

So that makes it easy to jump in and go, unlike the hidden shift lever of last week’s Porsche Taycan, with controls which are simple and easy to use.

The iX3 has the same big display screens, easy smartphone pairing, and a convenient phone charging pad.

Boot space is still good at 150 litres, more than enough for most families, and the car is roomy and comfortable.

Unlike some other electric cars, the iX3 does not feel ponderous because of the extra battery weight. Most people would not pick the ride or handling from a regular X3, which makes it an enjoyable drive for most conditions. It’s also a little quieter at highway cruising speeds.

But the iX3 is missing one critical ingredient – wow factor.

Tesla has won its cult-like following with clever technology, trinkets and whip-crack acceleration.

Polestar is using classy design, Porsche is putting real punch into the performance of its Taycan, while Kia and Hyundai – with the EV6 and Ioniq 5 – have cars that look as if they have driven out of a science fiction movie.

Even BMW is going super-futuristic on electrification, but doing it with the classy – but expensive – new CE 04 motor scooter.

Against its electric rivals, the iX3 does a good job and it has a price advantage over many – including the Audi e-tron – but perhaps it won’t have enough impact for some electric shoppers.