BMW just pulled the wraps off the iX3 40, a rear-wheel-drive version of its Neue Klasse electric SUV that trades the bigger battery and dual motors for a lower price tag. And if you’re wondering whether “entry-level” means “watered down,” the answer is a pretty clear no. With 315 horsepower, nearly 400 miles of WLTP range, and 300 kW fast charging, the BMW iX3 40 specs revealed so far paint a picture of a seriously capable electric crossover.
- The BMW iX3 40 is a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version with a battery pack downsized to 82.6 kWh.
- With 315 horsepower and 369 lb-ft going to the rear wheels, it sprints to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds.
- BMW is asking €63,400 for the iX3 40 in Germany, making it €7,500 cheaper than the iX3 50 xDrive.
What Powers the iX3 40
Under the hood of the BMW iX3 40 is the brand’s sixth-generation eDrive system, built specifically for the Neue Klasse platform. An electrically excited synchronous motor sits on the rear axle, putting out 315 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This setup allows the iX3 40 to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 124 mph.
That’s about a second slower than the iX3 xDrive 50, whose front motor adds 148 hp. Still, 5.9 seconds is genuinely quick for a family SUV. For reference, that’s faster than most gas-powered midsize crossovers sold today.
The iX3 50 xDrive weighs around 5,037 lbs in European spec, and the iX3 40 should come in at just over 4,409 lbs. Dropping both a motor and a larger battery pack shaves off a noticeable amount of weight, which could make this the better choice for drivers who care about agility on twisty roads.
Battery, Range, and Charging
The iX3 40 makes do with an 82.6 kWh battery, good for 635 kilometers (395 miles) of range in the WLTP cycle. That’s less than the 500 WLTP miles BMW quotes for the bigger-battery 50 model, but 395 miles is still enormous by today’s standards. Most competitors with similar battery sizes fall well short of that number.
The battery uses new cylindrical lithium-ion cells with 20% higher energy density compared to the previous generation. The iX3 is built on an 800-volt architecture, which is a big deal for charging speed.
That 800V setup allows charging speeds up to 300 kW, meaning 186 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes at a compatible fast charger. The model also has bidirectional charging capability and can go from a 10-80% charge in as few as 21 minutes. That’s the kind of speed that makes long road trips feel a lot less stressful.
Tech and Interior Features
The interior and exterior standard equipment for the pricier iX3 50 can be found on the iX3 40 trim as well. BMW didn’t strip the cabin to hit a lower price. You still get the full Panoramic iDrive system, which is one of the standout pieces of the Neue Klasse generation.
The iX3 features a “Panoramic Vision display,” a 43.3-inch side-to-side darkened area recessed within the hood where information is projected. A new 17.9-inch central display sits in the center of the dashboard, with a new shape slanted towards the driver.
BMW continues to push in-car AI with an upgraded Intelligent Personal Assistant, now paired with Amazon Alexa+ integration. The iX3 40 also gets a new electronics and software architecture powered by four high-performance “superbrains” with over 20 times the processing power of previous BMW systems.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are fitted as standard, and also sync to the head-up display. And BMW debuts its Soft Stop function, which brings smooth, silent braking to a complete halt. That might sound like a small thing, but anyone who’s dealt with the lurchy braking feel of some EVs will appreciate it.
Pricing and Availability
The iX3 40 will arrive in the United Kingdom this summer, where pricing starts at £53,250, which is around $7,280 less than the iX3 50. In Germany, the price starts at €63,400.
There’s no word yet on whether the iX3 40 will come to America to slot below the $60,000 iX3 50 xDrive. BMW has confirmed that additional single and dual motor variants will be available in the U.S. in early 2027. So American buyers may need to wait a few more months.
An iX3 40 xDrive with all-wheel drive is also expected to join the lineup at some point. That dual-motor 40 variant could end up being the sweet spot of the entire iX3 range, combining a lower price with all-weather traction.
Is the iX3 40 the Smarter Pick?
For most buyers, the iX3 40 looks like it could be the better daily driver. You’re losing about 100 miles of WLTP range and roughly 150 horsepower compared to the 50 model, but you’re gaining a lighter car with quicker reflexes and keeping all the same cabin tech and features. If you don’t need all-wheel drive and rarely push past 350 miles between charges, the savings make this a hard deal to pass up.
BMW’s Neue Klasse platform has already racked up serious demand. The iX3 has secured 50,000 orders in its first six months. Adding a more affordable entry point should only grow that interest. The iX3 40 might not be the flagship, but it could end up being the one most people actually want.
