BMW has added a more affordable entry point to its iX3 electric SUV lineup, launching the iX3 40 in Germany and the UK this spring. Starting at £53,250 in Britain and €63,400 in Germany, the rear-wheel-drive model undercuts the dual-motor iX3 50 xDrive by roughly £5,525 or €7,500, respectively. Deliveries in both markets are scheduled for summer 2026 — but the US will have to wait.
Powertrain and range
The iX3 40 drops the second motor entirely, switching from the all-wheel-drive setup of the 50 xDrive to a single rear-mounted motor producing 315 hp (235 kW) and 369 lb-ft of torque. That's 148 hp less than the dual-motor version. The trade-off shows in acceleration: 0–60 mph takes roughly 5.6 seconds (BMW cites 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h), compared to about 4.6 seconds for the 50 xDrive.
The battery shrinks too — from 108.7 kWh to 82.6 kWh. BMW claims a 395-mile WLTP range (WLTP is the EU range-test standard, typically more optimistic than EPA figures). The 50 xDrive stretches to about 460 miles on the same cycle. No EPA-rated range has been published yet.
BMW iX3 40
DC fast charging peaks at 300 kW — down from the 50 xDrive's 400 kW — but still quick enough to add roughly 186 miles in 10 minutes. A 10–80% charge takes about 21 minutes. Both European variants use CCS2 connectors; any US model would use NACS (the Tesla-developed connector now becoming the US standard).
What the US timeline looks like
BMW has confirmed the iX3 for the United States, but the rollout is staggered. The iX3 50 xDrive — the more powerful dual-motor variant — is expected stateside in summer 2026. The iX3 40 xDrive, a dual-motor AWD version, is penciled in for early 2027, tentatively priced under $55,000. The rear-wheel-drive iX3 40 seen launching in Europe right now has not been confirmed for North America.
BMW is expected to build US-spec iX3 models at its San Luis Potosí, Mexico facility, which would help the vehicle qualify under USMCA trade rules — though final IRA Section 30D tax credit eligibility ($7,500 for qualifying EVs) depends on battery sourcing details BMW hasn't disclosed yet.
Trim and competition context
In base European spec, the iX3 40 comes finished in Alpine White with 20-inch Style 1045 wheels and a Vivid Grey interior. Additional colors, wheel designs, and steering wheel options cost extra. The US configuration hasn't been announced.
At a potential sub-$55,000 price point, the iX3 40 xDrive would compete against the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model Y — all of which currently offer better-established EPA range figures and broader charging network access. Whether the iX3's Neue Klasse platform and fast-charging capability close that gap will depend heavily on where BMW lands on final pricing and incentive eligibility — per electrive.com.
