How We'd Spec It: 2027 BMW iX3BMWThe new 2027 BMW iX3 debuts the brand's Neue Klasse design language, which sets the stage for the next-generation 3-series and, naturally, future Bimmers. Starting at $62,850, the iX3 50 xDrive is now available to configure on BMW's consumer site. And while every version currently comes with a 463-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, the electric luxury SUV has lots of personalization options. To showcase our different tastes, four Car and Driver editors were unleashed on the iX3 configurator to build their ideal version. See what we came up with below, and then let us know how you feel about our choices in the comments.Elana Scherr's $70,300 iX3I'm sticking with the base Sport trim because the M Sport is cosmetic rather than performance, and I think the Sport fascia is a cleaner look than the big gloss black-outs on the M.BMWFor color, I was tempted by not one but two shades of purple. I'm a big fan of unusual colors, but unfortunately, both shades made the iX3 look like an eggplant, so I went with a Malachite Dark Green Metallic instead, which looks elegant and menacing on the SUV. That's a pricey color with a $4500 upcharge, so if this were my own money, I might go with the lighter $650 Eucalyptus option so I could go green but spend less green. I don't normally go for big wheels, but the car looks good on them, and I really like the 22-inch aero multispokes ($1350), which look like the backsplash of a mid-century-modern wall clock.AdvertisementAdvertisementInside, I eschewed leather for the unusual Agave Green leather-free interior, which harkens back to the '60s, back before all interiors went black, gray, and tan. Green-on-green is one of the most restful combinations available, and I love the element of surprise when you open a door to a color-pop cabin.BMWFor add-ons, I went with the comfort package ($1500) to score more lumbar support. I skipped the tech and driver-assist packages because I like doing my own driving, but I did go for the parking assist with its 360-degree camera because I'd hate to curb those big wheels. That's a $750 option. Lastly, for the sake of my passengers, I added three-zone climate control for $200 (a bargain to not hear complaints from the back seat), as well as $500 heated rear seats, because I think the dogs would like them. All told, my ideal BMW iX3 came to $70,300. –Elana ScherrCarter Fry's $70,300 iX3BMWNo. I will not be paying $4000 for black mirror caps. That is what the top-spec M Sport Professional gives you (among other things, but whatever). I shall stick with the base Sport model and allocate my funds towards a sick paint job. Voodoo Blue, a $4500 option, is one of the greats, but is it good enough to salvage the iX3's, uhh, ambitious design language? You tell me. There is only one wheel option that even remotely resembles normality. I went with the 22-inch Individual Aero Multi-Spoke 1053i wheels ($1350), and hey, look! I can actually see the brake rotors.BMWInteriors should always be black unless I'm spec'ing some insane weekend car. Which is why for this iX3, I went with the timeless all-black theme. Nothing in the options list excites me, especially the BMW Iconic Glow Exterior Lighting. I would Plasti Dip over those lights if they were on my car. I did, however, choose to delete my trunk badges for exactly zero dollars. I paid for the Voodoo Blue; I want all of the Voodoo Blue. Final price tops out at $70,300. I think that's a reasonable price, even though I barely selected any extras. I guess it's the badge you're paying for.–Carter FryCaleb Miller's $71,245 iX3The BMW iX3 is the first model to ride on the company's new Neue Klasse platform and provides plenty of range and tech at a reasonable price for a luxury SUV. With that in mind, I set off building my ideal iX3 with the goal of keeping the price under $70,000.BMWAdvertisementAdvertisementI slightly exceeded that figure, but I'll try to justify my spending. I started out choosing the M Sport trim package, which adds a more assertive appearance and a sport steering wheel for $2500, but I refrained from spending the extra $1500 on the top M Sport Professional look. While I was enticed by some of the $4500 BMW Individual paint hues, I instead opted for the tranquil Eucalyptus Green Metallic ($650). I also upgraded to the 22-inch Individual Aero multispoke wheels, a $1350 add-on, but one that adds a lot of visual pizzazz.Inside, I decided to match the exterior with the Agave Green upholstery, a no-cost option. I checked the box for the $1500 Comfort package, mainly for the heated steering wheel, a must for Michigan winters, although it also netted nicer seats with a variety of adjustments and a massaging function, as well as the panoramic glass roof.BMWThe Technology package added $1900 to the price: I mostly wanted the fancy 3-D head-up display, but I'm also happy to receive the Harman Kardon premium sound system, and I won't complain about the illuminated grille and welcome lighting. Lastly, I threw in some $250 all-weather floor mats and a $245 luggage compartment mat, bringing my grand total to $71,245.–Caleb MillerEric Stafford's $79,590 iX3BMWI can't lie. BMW's new iX3 is really fugly. But for the purpose of this exercise, I'm going to try to put lipstick on this pig. That starts with swapping the standard Sport package's generic lower front fascia for the more visually interesting version that comes with the $4000 M Sport Professional option. I could get the same look with the $2500 M Sport kit, but unlike my younger colleague, Carter, I recognize that the extra $1500 not only gets me black mirror caps but also upgraded hardware via the M Sport brakes. I hope the $4500 Alien Puke paint color (a.k.a. Java Green Metallic) will help distract from the iX3's slab-sided, blob-like appearance, and I think the bi-colored 21-inch M Aero wheels with staggered summer tires are equal parts pretty and sporty.BMWInside, I went with the white upholstery for free 99 because I'll probably trade this thing in before the inevitable staining sets in. Jokes aside, I do think the white interior looks really good, and as far as digitally saturated dashboards go, I dig BMW's new design. While I'd love to pay $250 for a matching white steering wheel, I didn't want to replace the M Sport version with a tiller that has an awkward 12 o'clock spoke. Apart from that, I selected basically every option to make my pretend life with one of BMW's ugliest SUVs more bearable. The list includes the $2500 Driving Assistance Professional package, the $1500 Comfort package, the $1200 Technology package, the $750 Parking Assistance package, the $750 trailer hitch, the $500 heated rear seats, the $240 panoramic sunroof shade, and the $200 three-zone climate system. Final price: $79,590.–Eric Stafford➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.AdvertisementAdvertisementShop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029