BMW iX3: The EV BMW Won’t Sell You in the US (Yet) – And Why It Matters

BMW’s iX3 is the all-electric X3 you can’t officially buy in the US, but it could preview where BMW’s American EV strategy is heading. Here is what you are missing out on, and why that actually matters for your next SUV.

If you have been waiting for a fully electric BMW X3 in the US, the BMW iX3 is basically your dream SUV that never made it to American shores. It is on sale in Europe and China, not officially in North America, yet it tells you a lot about where BMW is going with electric crossovers and what you can realistically expect in the next US-bound generation.

Bottom line up front: the iX3 is a practical, familiar-feeling electric SUV built on a regular X3 platform instead of a wild spaceship-like EV. If you want to understand BMW's next US electric SUV, this is the template. What US drivers need to know now...

Analysis: What9s behind the hype

The first thing to understand about the BMW iX3 is that it is not built on BMW's newer dedicated EV architecture. Instead, it is an electrified version of the globally popular X3, using BMW's fifth-generation eDrive technology. That makes it feel instantly familiar to anyone who has driven a gasoline or diesel X3.

From recent European and Chinese reviews, the core themes are consistent: the iX3 delivers a calm, premium drive, strong efficiency, but only modest outright performance compared with some US-market EV rivals. Industry outlets like Autocar, What Car, Auto Express and InsideEVs highlight refinement and real-world range as its strongest cards, while criticizing the lack of all-wheel drive and no "wow" factor in acceleration.

Because BMW has not launched the iX3 in the US, there is no official EPA range or US pricing. However, European WLTP numbers and euro pricing give us a good sense of where it would land if it crossed the Atlantic.

Key spec	BMW iX3 (latest European model)
Body style	5-seat midsize electric SUV based on BMW X3
Drivetrain	Single-motor, rear-wheel drive
Power output	Approx. 282 hp (210 kW), 400 Nm torque (as reported by multiple EU reviews)
Battery capacity	Around 74 kWh usable (80 kWh gross class, depending on model year, per European spec sheets)
Official WLTP range	Roughly 280 to 285 miles, depending on wheel size and trim (WLTP cycle, EU figures)
DC fast charging	Up to around 150 kW peak on compatible DC chargers (reported by European tests)
AC charging	Up to 11 kW on three-phase AC (European spec)
Top speed	Electronically limited (EU tests commonly reference about 112 to 112+ mph; exact limiter may vary by spec)
0-62 mph (0-100 km/h)	Approximately 6.8 seconds in most independent tests
Approximate European price	Typically in the 70,000 to 75,000 euro bracket, depending on market and trim (check live local pricing)
Estimated US-equivalent price	If directly converted, roughly mid-70,000 USD before taxes and incentives, but there is no official US MSRP
Production locations	Primarily built in China for global markets
Official US availability	Not officially sold as a new vehicle in the United States

Because BMW does not publish US-market numbers for the iX3, you should treat any dollar amounts as directional only. That said, the mid-70,000 USD region would place it head-to-head with well-equipped Tesla Model Y trims, the Mercedes EQE SUV in some configurations, the Audi Q4 e-tron at the higher end, and BMW's own iX in lower trims.

Why the iX3 matters for US shoppers even if you cannot buy it new

BMW has talked openly about its Neue Klasse, the next wave of EVs that will include a new X3-sized electric SUV aimed at global markets, including the US. The iX3 is effectively the bridge product: it shows how BMW tunes an electric SUV for comfort, noise isolation and efficiency when it is not chasing outrageous performance figures.

From reviews, you consistently see comments like "quiet," "relaxed," and "grown-up." That matters if you are cross-shopping EVs not just for acceleration numbers but for long-distance comfort and build quality. In many tests, the iX3 is praised for feeling like a regular premium BMW, just without the engine noise or tailpipe emissions.

Critics, however, point to the absence of all-wheel drive and the fact that in 2024 and 2025, many rivals in Europe and Asia offer dual-motor setups at similar or even lower prices. For US buyers used to xDrive and snowy conditions, that is a meaningful gap and likely a key reason BMW tailored its US lineup differently, focusing on the i4, i5 and iX instead.

Interior and tech: conservative on purpose

Open the door of an iX3 and, based on recent test drives from European outlets and video reviews, you will not see the futuristic minimalist approach of some other EVs. Instead, it is familiar BMW: physical buttons for climate control, a central touchscreen, and BMW's iDrive infotainment with voice control and navigation.

Several reviewers from channels like AutoTrader in the UK and various European YouTube creators praise the quality of materials and the lack of a steep learning curve. There is some criticism that it does not feel as "next-gen" as newer BMW EVs such as the iX or the more recent i5, which have moved to the curved display and newer software interfaces.

For American readers, that is a clue to how BMW thinks about buyer segments: the iX3 is tuned for customers who want an electric vehicle that feels like an evolution of what they already drive, rather than a radical reimagining. Expect BMW's upcoming US-market electric X3 successor to fuse that familiarity with the upgraded software and screen layout from the Neue Klasse concepts.

Real-world range and efficiency

In independent tests across Germany and the UK, the iX3 consistently delivers usable real-world range that lands not far from its WLTP rating, provided you are not hammering it on the autobahn. Translated into EPA style expectations, you would probably be looking at something closer to low- to mid-200-mile estimates if it were sold in the US, which is respectable, though not class-leading.

Owners and long-term testers in Europe highlight the iX3's efficient highway consumption, helped in part by its rear-wheel-drive layout and relatively streamlined body for an SUV. If you primarily do mixed highway and city driving, this efficiency mindset is exactly the philosophy BMW is likely to carry into the next US-bound generation.

Is there any way for US drivers to get an iX3?

Officially, the answer is no. BMW North America does not list the iX3 in its lineup, and dealers do not sell it new. However, a small number of used or grey-import examples have begun appearing in Canada and occasionally in the US via specialist importers. These are niche cases, and they come with limitations: no official BMW USA warranty coverage tailored to that model, non-EPA-certified software, and potential complications with charging standards or navigation data.

If you are deeply interested in an iX3 specifically, you need to do serious homework on local regulations, parts support, and insurance before attempting a private import. For most people, it is smarter to treat the iX3 as an early indicator of what BMW's US-market electric SUVs will feel like, then wait for the officially supported next-generation electric X3 when it launches.

How the iX3 compares with US-market alternatives

• Tesla Model Y - More range and performance options, extensive US charging network, minimalist interior. The iX3 would likely beat it on perceived material quality and traditional luxury feel.
• BMW iX - Sold in the US, larger and more futuristic than the iX3, with higher price points and stronger performance. If you like the idea of an electric BMW SUV today, the iX is the closest thing you can actually buy.
• BMW i4 / i5 - Electric sedans that capture much of BMW's EV driving character, available today in the US with federal tax incentives in some configurations. They show BMW's latest software stack that the future electric X3 will probably share.
• Mercedes EQB / EQE SUV - Offer US buyers luxury EV crossovers with multiple trim levels and, in some cases, three rows. Reviews often note that BMW tends to have an edge in driving dynamics, which the iX3 underscores.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Kia EV6 - Highly competitive pricing, ultra-fast charging, and bold design. The iX3 looks and feels more conservative but also more "classic premium" by design.

What the experts say (Verdict)

Recent European and Asian reviews cluster around the same verdict: the BMW iX3 is a well-executed, comfortable, and efficient electric SUV that feels like a "normal" BMW first and an EV second. Outlets like Autocar, Auto Express, and What Car consistently praise its ride quality, quiet cabin, and easygoing character.

The main downsides they flag are its lack of all-wheel drive, performance that feels adequate rather than thrilling, and pricing that often overlaps or exceeds some rivals that offer dual motors or longer range. For tech-focused buyers, its cabin design and software feel a generation behind the latest BMW EVs, even if they are still very usable and polished.

For US readers, the practical takeaway is this: the iX3 is less about what you can buy today and more about what BMW thinks a mainstream electric SUV should feel like. Expect its DNA - rear-drive balance, comfort-focused tuning, premium interior quality, and a "no drama" daily EV experience - to surface in the next electric BMW X3 that does come to the US. If that sounds like your ideal EV, it may be worth holding off and watching BMW's next move rather than jumping at the first EV SUV deal you see.