The BMW iX3 was one of the first vehicles I reviewed here at Man of Many, and while I’ve driven hundreds of cars since then, BMW’s all-electric luxury SUV managed to scratch out a portion of my memory for just how good it was. Today, it’s an even more attractive proposition with a sharp price of AUD$89,100 plus on-road costs that now places it under the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold of AUD$91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles.
This car completes a line-up of six BMW EVs that are priced below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles, which includes:
- BMW iX1 eDrive20 – from AUD$78,900 plus on-road costs
- BMW iX1 xDrive30 – from AUD$84,900 plus on-road costs
- BMW iX2 eDrive20 – from AUD$82,900 plus on-road costs
- BMW iX2 xDrive30 – from AUD$85,700 plus on-road costs
- BMW i4 eDrive35 sedan – from AUD$85,900 plus on-road costs
- BMW iX3 M Sport SUV – from AUD$89,100 plus on-road costs
I recently spent time in the BMW iX2 xDrive30 and BMW iX1 xDrive30, which delivered a welcome blend of sportiness and luxury. However, for this article, I’ll focus on the BMW iX3 M Sport, which I’ve been driving for a few weeks. It’s impressed me with just how many features it carries over from the top-of-the-range BMW iX3 M Sport Pro model, and it starts with the powertrain.
| Model | Power | Torque | Acceleration (0-100km/h) | Gross battery capacity (kWh) | Range | Price (excludes on-road costs) |
| iX3 M Sport | 210 kW | 400 Nm | 6.8 seconds | 80 | Up to 461 km (ADR 81/02) | from $89,100 |
| iX3 M Sport Pro | 210 kW | 400 Nm | 6.8 seconds | 80 | Up to 461 km (ADR 81/02) | from $104,900 |
The battery size, range, and power are shared between BMW iX3 M Sport and BMW iX3 M Sport Pro models. This means you have the same 210kW of power and 400 Nm of torque provided by a single motor at the rear wheels with an 80kWh (74 kWh net) battery and up to 461km of range (ADR 81/02).
When it comes time, you can charge the iX3 M Sport from 10-80 per cent in 31 minutes at a 150kW DC fast charger in public or at home with an 11kW AC charger, which charges the car from 0-100 per cent overnight.
The iX3 M Sport is great for quick manoeuvres in the streets of any major city. I love the fact that you’re getting the full punch from that top-of-the-line model in the affordable entry point to the range. The 0-100km/h time of just 6.8 seconds is hot-hatch-like, which is impressive for a luxury electric SUV that can comfortably fit a family.
It may be overlooked by those who have yet to experience driving a BMW, but I’m always impressed with the way the brand places a unique focus on the driver with every one of its vehicles. From the bonkers BMW XM Label Red to the BMW M4 and 2-Series Coupe, every model carries this driver-centric feeling, including the BMW iX3 M Sport with its rear-wheel-drive architecture. This is a hallmark of BMW that carries over into the electric world.
The BMW iX3 M Sport delivers everything from a large panoramic glass sunroof to reclining seats in the second row, leather ‘Vernasca’ upholstery, and customisable ambient lighting throughout the vehicle. The supreme comfort on offer here is a key part of what makes the BMW iX3 so memorable. The seats offer the kind of support that leaves you feeling energised (as opposed to drained) after a long drive, while the roomy cabin’s ambience makes it as inviting a vehicle as you’ll find.
Of course, we can’t skip over the tech when discussing electric vehicles. The stand-out feature during my time with the car was the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto set-up displayed on a large 12.3-inch screen running BMW Operating System 7. The driver also gets a 12.3-inch digital display to match.
Once you’ve connected your phone, you never have to pair it again. This means every time you get in the car, your phone is linked, and all you have to do is throw on a playlist and take advantage of the impressive six-speaker stereo speaker system with 100 watts of power.
I also want to highlight some of the more oft-overlooked pieces of tech that make you really appreciate this car.
First, the BMW Parking Assistant has one of the highest-resolution rearview cameras I’ve found in a car, alongside a practical reversing assistant, active park distance control, and lateral parking aid. Next, it’s the passenger side automatic parking dipping function tilts the mirror down on the curbside to help you avoid gutter washing those 19-inch aerodynamic wheels when parking.
Finally, it’s the adaptive LED headlights with High-Beam Assistant. This feature automatically flicks the high beams off when a vehicle is detected in front of you and then back on once it has passed. It’s one of my favourite features in any modern car and is especially useful in Australia, where we have plenty of wildlife.
The iX3 M Sport is the largest and most practical car in BMW’s six-vehicle, sub-Luxury Car Tax (LCT) line-up. It’s perfectly suited to growing families, and during my time with the car, I had a chance to relive some of the first memories I made of the car when it was first released a few years ago. It more than lives up to the standard it set back then but comes in at an even sharper price today of AUD$89,100 plus on-road costs.
Those interested can visit the BMW Australia website, linked below, to build and price your own BMW iX3 M Sport and check out the complete six-vehicle, sub-Luxury Car Tax (LCT) line-up.
