The first-generation BMW iX3 is no range monster like the current model, yet it offers something the latest era of EVs can’t: a sense of familiarity.
When it arrived in the UK in summer 2021, the BMW iX3 was a relatively simple beast compared to the Tesla Model Y or the Kia EV6.
Instead of riding on dedicated electrical underpinnings, the gen-one iX3 was built using BMW’s multi-energy CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform. In non-car nerd terms, this meant Munich replaced the X3’s internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery…
And that was it, really. BMW didn’t really change the already-handsome styling, and it certainly didn’t muck about by transforming the logical, tried-and-tested interior into a migraine-inducing screenfest.
Unsurprisingly, then, the iX3 very much fulfilled its brief: be an electric version of BMW’s X3. By early 2026, the X3 had become BMW’s best-selling model ever, with 3.5 million units sold after its debut two decades prior.
The iX3 is important because it normalised electric BMWs for the UK public. It wasn’t visually horrid like the imposing iX, and it didn’t have any of the quirkiness associated with the almost-certain-to-be-classic i3.
Almost certainly, when the iX3 – and then the i4 – went on sale in the UK, they were key in strengthening BMW’s position as a serious EV manufacturer.
In terms of range, the early iX3 has been thoroughly beaten by the second-gen car and plenty of newer rivals. Yet given the average UK motorist drives 7,600 miles per year, its range from a single charge is more than enough.
The first-gen BMW iX3 remains one of the best-selling EVs in the UK today. Here’s why.
BMW iX3 UK history
When the iX3 hit the UK market, BMW set out to keep things simple. It offered its Chinese-built electric SUV with just one battery option, a 74.3kWh unit capable of up to 288 miles on a single charge.
This was paired with a rear-mounted 282bhp electric motor capable of a 6.8-second 0-62mph run. Despite the high-riding SUV looks, the iX3 was never offered with a twin-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain.
The iX3 was first available in two trim levels: Entry-level Premier Edition and range-topping Premier Pro.
To keep things as close as possible to the just-updated X3, the iX3’s trim levels were swiftly renamed M Sport and M Sport Pro, and the car underwent a facelift almost as soon as it launched in 2021.
The updates included a new single-piece kidney grille with a pearl-effect chrome finish, plus headlights slimmed by 10mm. The front end received L-form outer air intakes and a lower front intake, while the rear benefited from narrower, 3D-effect LEDs and a chunkier rear diffuser layout.
Inside, the biggest change was to the centrally-mounted infotainment screen, which grew from 10.25 to 12.5 inches. Pearl-effect chrome design elements continued.
Used BMW iX3 equipment
The BMW iX3 is well equipped, and its cabin gets plenty of physical buttons and soft, dense plastics. Everything is very much a blast from the past, and in the best way possible.
Its shared iDrive system with the i4 is largely reliable and praised for its intuitiveness. Integrated functions are BMW’s home-grown sat-nav system, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless phone charging.
Base-spec Premier Edition/M Sport cars ride on 19-inch alloys and come with an electrically operated tailgate. A digital driver’s binnacle is also standard, as is a panoramic sunroof, heated front leather seats, and parking sensors.
The M Sport Pro introduces 20-inch ‘aero’ wheels, a driver’s head-up display, automatically dimming headlights, and keyless entry. The sound system is upgraded to a Harman Kardon unit, and the car comes with an Interstellar-style, electronic ‘IconicSounds’ backing track composed by Hans Zimmer.
Inside, the BMW offers plenty of space throughout, and the rear seats can be reclined for a more relaxed seating position. With the 40/20/40 rear seats in place, the iX3 has 510 litres of boot space. Fold them, and the area expands to 1,560l.
The X3’s battery position means some underfloor boot space is reduced over the ICE version, making things more cramped than they are in an Audi Q4 e-tron. Like the i4, the iX3 has several electric blue elements inside and out, which are reminders that the iX3 is one of Munich’s electric-only models.
Used BMW iX3 price, range, and running costs
BMW priced the iX3 from £61,900 for Premier Edition models, while Premier Edition Pro versions started from around £65k. iX3 prices on the used market have dropped significantly over the years, but don’t expect to find Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2 levels of knockdown prices.
On AutoTrader, we found 361 iX3s for sale. The cheapest was a 2022 M Sport priced at £17,490, but it had a hefty 115,630 miles to its name. The most expensive was a late 2024 M Sport Pro, with a total mileage of 13,555 miles and a £39,714 asking price from an official BMW dealer network.
The most wallet-friendly iX3 we found from a bona fide BMW dealership was an early facelift M Sport, which cost £23,555 and had covered a total of 49,108 miles since it was registered in 2021. The priciest was the M Sport Pro mentioned above.
Based on our numbers, spending £25,000 upwards would be the sweet spot for finding a used BMW iX3. As always, we recommend buying the best model you can afford, and preferably from an approved dealer.
With a dedicated home EV charging tariff going as low as 8p per kilowatt hour, the BMW iX3 will cost just £5.94 to charge from 0-100%. Using a public charger will set you back significantly more, as prices can rocket up to an eye-watering 92p/kWh.
Charging is where the iX3 shows its age. With a maximum charging speed of 150 kW, a 10%-80% charge can take from 34 to 35 minutes.
Note that as of April 1 last year, EVs are no longer exempt from road tax, meaning the BMW iX3 will cost you £200 a year to keep on the road. Thanks to the high original list price, you’ll also face the Expensive Car Supplement. This applies in years two to six after the car’s first registration and adds another £425 to your annual tax bill.
BMW iX3 insurance
BMW is a premium brand, so expect to pay premium prices for the iX3’s insurance. The car falls into groups 44 to 50 – that’s out of 50, remember – placing it firmly in Tesla Model Y and Jaguar I-Pace territory.
Insurance costs are also affected by age, line of work, where you live, plus whether you have on- or off-street parking. Remember this when evaluating costs, and don’t try to fiddle with the system – you’ll only get found out.
Munich offered the iX3 with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty with a separate mandatory battery warranty covering eight years – the equivalent of 100,000 miles. This means that a 2024 or pre-Neue Klasse car will still be covered.
This is more extensive than Audi’s, which offers a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Nonetheless, it is somewhat stingy compared to Hyundai and Kia, which offer a respective five-year and seven-year warranty, plus an equally rewarding ownership experience.
Used BMW iX3 reliability, official recalls, and faults to look for
The iX3 shares its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with its gas-guzzling X3 cousin, and it’s no surprise, really.
BMW has packed the iX3 from battery to beak with plenty of safety kit, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, active side collision protection, and automatic speed limit assist.
Throughout its life, the BMW iX3 proved to be a dependable piece of kit. Unlike the latest Neue Klasse iX3, which was recalled in January this year for zapping owners while charging, the previous-gen car wasn’t recalled once.
That doesn’t mean it was perfect, though. Owners reported software issues that caused infotainment glitches or unexplained warning lights. They were, however, often fixed via the tried-and-tested “turning it on and off again” method.
Like with all dealer networks, BMW’s were said to be a mixed bag. For half of the time, they were said to be helpful. For the other half, they were criticised for slow appointment times and patchy communication. Our advice is to look around at how well (or poorly…) your nearby dealerships are ranked, then make your decision.
The ‘one to have’
To be honest, the simple answer is ‘either of them’. We think that the BMW iX3 Premier Edition/M Sport looks great in white, especially with those blacked-out 19-inch wheels and that futuristic electric blue detailing, inside and out.
However, we do understand the importance of a good sound system, so the Premier Edition/M Sport Pro’s Harman Kardon setup holds some sway. Knowing you have a Hans Zimmer soundtrack under your right foot does, too… because that’s just cool.
Whatever trim level appeals, we’d say both versions of the first-gen BMW iX3 are a great buy. And that’s simply because it’s another stellar all-electric BMW.
