Skip advert
Advertisement

New BMW iX3 gets cheaper with ‘40’ trim added, and it’ll still go 395 miles

The new entry-level iX3 has been revealed, and it’ll still do 395 miles of range

BMW iX3 40 - front tracking

BMW has revealed a new entry-level version of the iX3 SUV. The BMW iX3 40 combines a smaller battery pack and a single rear-mounted e-motor at a low entry-price of £53,250. This is £5,525 less than the 50xDrive variant, and the car will be available from summer 2026 in the UK. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The key difference with this new model for buyers will be the smaller battery size, which is rated at 82.6kWh – down from 112kWh. This reduces range to 395 miles, which is still very competitive for an ‘entry-level’ variant, from the nearly 500 miles of the bigger battery iX3. 

The smaller battery has a lower 300kW peak charging rate, but can still add 186 miles of charge in ten minutes, and do the 10-80 per cent top-up in 21 minutes.

With just the one motor mounted on the rear axle, peak power and torque are rated at 315bhp and 500Nm. The iX3 40 will still sprint to 62mph in 5.9 seconds, or around 1.2 seconds down on the more powerful dual-motor version. But with less mass – both on account of there being one less motor and the smaller battery – this 40 model could improve on both the efficiency and driving experience of the dual-motor 50xDrive. 

The iX3 40 is run on the same 800V architecture, and uses BMW’s oddly-named ‘Heart of Joy’ central computer to control all of the car’s systems and powertrains. 

The rest of the iX3’s package is also unchanged. This means it includes the same Panoramic iDrive digital interface, wholly re-imagined exterior design and superb driving manners. Also expect similar trim levels to the Sport, M Sport and M Sport Pro variants on the other variant.

Since its reveal at last year’s Munich Motor Show, the BMW iX3 has drawn so much attention that BMW has had to increase production in order to meet demand. This new entry-level model should only grow the amount of interest with its lower entry price, especially considering it’s still capable of nearly 400 miles of range. 

Our dealer network has 1,000s of great value new cars in stock and available now right across the UK. Find your new car…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior staff writer

News editor at Auto Express, Jordan joined the team after six years at evo magazine where he specialised in news and reviews of cars at the high performance end of the car market. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BMW iX3 review
BMW iX3 - front cornering

BMW iX3 review

The BMW iX3 is a quantum leap in EV design and engineering
In-depth reviews
8 May 2026
Best electric SUVs to buy 2026
Best electric SUVs - header image

Best electric SUVs to buy 2026

The electric SUV market is growing rapidly, so we’re here to help you pick the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
1 May 2026
Longest-range electric cars on sale 2026
Longest-range electric cars - header image

Longest-range electric cars on sale 2026

Racking up mega miles? These are the long-range EVs to pick
Best cars & vans
21 Apr 2026
Premium electric SUV supertest: BMW iX3 vs Tesla Model Y, Audi SQ6, Alpine A390 and Lexus RZ550e
Premium electric SUV supertest - group shot

Premium electric SUV supertest: BMW iX3 vs Tesla Model Y, Audi SQ6, Alpine A390 and Lexus RZ550e

The BMW iX3 has impressed us in isolation, but it has to face up to talented rivals from Alpine, Audi, Lexus and Tesla if it’s to claim class honours
Car group tests
20 Mar 2026

Most Popular

PHEV megatest: Britain's 16 favourite plug-in hybrid systems tested
PHEV Megatest headershot

PHEV megatest: Britain's 16 favourite plug-in hybrid systems tested

It’s PHEV boom time. So we tried the systems offered in 59 cars, testing their EV range and efficiency, to reveal the ones you should buy
Car group tests
14 May 2026
Our EV obsession is holding back green mobility, efficient hybrids are the answer
Toyota Prius - cornering left

Our EV obsession is holding back green mobility, efficient hybrids are the answer

The call for more flexibility and a wider eco focus than the single path to electric is growing
News
12 May 2026
New Omoda 7 Noble Tech has unique screen that slides right across the car
Omoda 7 - front static

New Omoda 7 Noble Tech has unique screen that slides right across the car

A new top-spec variant of the Omoda 7 has a few functions we’ve not seen before
News
13 May 2026

Find a car with the experts