BMW iX3Fabian Kirchbauer PhotographyThe BMW iX3 arrived in Europe in March 2026, joining the brand's growing all-electric line-up. Since its debut, it has earned numerous accolades, including the World Car of the Year award. Great stuff, but does the electrified posh SUV live up to its hype?BMW iX3 price and equipmentBuyers can choose from three trim levels: the entry-level iX3 (£53,250), the M Sport (£55,750), and the M Sport Pro (£57,250).Standard cars come with 20-inch alloys, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats, ambient lighting, BMW's Panoramic iDrive system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 11kW AC charging, vehicle-to-load capability, and heaps of safety tech.BMW iX3The M Sport adds sportier styling and larger 21-inch alloys, while the range-topping M Sport Pro gets adaptive matrix LED headlights, an illuminated kidney grille, a Harmon Kardon surround system, and additional interior touches.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy iX3 50 xDrive M Sport loaner tipped the scales at £65,562 but included £4,550 worth of optional extras, including a heated steering wheel, BMW Iconic Glow, and a technology pack that added a heads-up display and a fancy sound system.BMW iX3 range and chargingThe BMW iX3 50 xDrive (one of two powertrains) offers a claimed WLTP range of up to 500 miles from its 108kWh battery. The smaller 82.6kWh battery found on the iX3 40 is claimed to return between 360 and 395 miles; my loaner showed 343 miles when fully charged.The 40 supports DC rapid charging at up to 300kW, while the 50 manages 400kW. Both take around 20 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%.BMW iX3Home charging is handled via an 11kW AC onboard charger, allowing the battery to be fully replenished overnight using a compatible wallbox. Remember, most UK homes can't support 11kW charging, as it requires a three-phase power supply. Charging via an Easee One 7.4kW wallbox from 33% to full took around five hours.AdvertisementAdvertisementOver a 122-mile trip of mixed roads, the BMW iX3 40 returned 3.4mi/kWh: a massively respectable figure considering the car's girth and power output.BMW iX3 interiorIf aliens were to land tomorrow, I'm certain they'd know exactly how to pilot the BMW iX3. Its cockpit is filled with screens, and its steering wheel is straight out of a sci-fi film. It's extraordinary.The first thing you notice is BMW's new 'Panoramic iDrive', a small screen that spans the entire length of the dashboard just below the windscreen. This displays speed and battery level for the driver, but the rest of the strip is yours to configure. It's essentially a different take on a heads-up display, although it's more versatile.BMW iX3There are a few clicky switches, but all the important ones, like the parking brake, hazard lights, and volume, are present rather than buried deep within a menu on the touchscreen. That said, the touchscreen is easy to use, and BMW has included a quick-access bar at the bottom, allowing simple adjustments to cabin temperature and radio volume.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe seats are comfortable and supportive on longer journeys; meanwhile, two large adults can sit in the rear with their feet on the floor rather than elevated, unlike some EVs, which have the battery underneath. Likewise, the boot is square, and there's a compartment underneath the bonnet for stowing charging cables.Driving the BMW iX3Looks are subjective, but I wasn't keen on the iX3's face; it looks a bit like an enraged rat, the kidney grille being its pointy teeth. At the week's end, however, its physique had grown on me. On the road, those who noticed it showed signs of admiration.The iX3 50 is more than powerful enough, feeding 469bhp to all four wheels. 0- 62 mph arrives in under five seconds, while top speed is limited to 130mph. Mashing the accelerator results in more progressive rather than aggressive acceleration.Its steering is direct and well judged, and it easily dispatches potholes and deep drain covers with little cabin shudder.BMW iX3 verdict:The BMW iX3 is, indeed, very good. That said, it's a lot of money, but you get a lot of car.AdvertisementAdvertisementIts interior excels among most electric SUVs, while the driving experience betters everything in its price bracket — a bold statement, but true.As for the car's exterior design, some love it, while others aren't convinced. If you fall into the latter, still give the BMW iX3 a try. I guarantee you'll rapidly grow to like it and forever question why you didn't to begin with.This article was originally published on Forbes.com