The BMW iX3 Beat Mercedes And Volvo On Efficiency And Range In A Highway TestInsideEVs[email protected] (Andrei Nedelea)Wed, September 23, 2026 at 8:54 AM UTCAdd us on Googlesuvs range testThe iX3 used less energy than the GLC and EX60 on the same route, blending lower consumption with a bigger battery.The BMW iX3 used less energy than the Mercedes GLC Electric and Volvo EX60 in the same highway test.Better efficiency and a larger battery gave the BMW a significant calculated range advantage.The Volvo was the car the drivers liked most, showing that range alone doesn't decide the best highway companion.A bigger battery in an EV will increase its range, but the real trick is using the energy it has more efficiently. In this highway range comparison against the new Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric and the Volvo EX60, the BMW iX3 combined both.These are three of the most important new arrivals in the premium electric SUV market, and their specifications make for a remarkably close contest, at least on paper. Put them on the same highway on the same day, though, and the BMW distances itself with its superior economy.AdvertisementAdvertisementKris Rifa and friends drove the cars on a motorway route north of Oslo, with a target speed of 120 km/h, or around 75 mph. Temperatures on the day of the test ranged from 57°F to 63°F (14°C to 17°C), with mostly dry conditions.Each car started at 90% charge and ran in its most efficient driving mode. The drivers rotated cars and the lead position, giving each vehicle time in undisturbed air. Returning along the same route also helped reduce the influence of elevation changes and wind. A larger Xpeng G9 joined the test; it's one size class above the other three and is comparable only in battery size—the real direct rival would have been a G6.The iX3 finished the route with the lowest reported consumption of 19.4 kWh/100 kilometers, or around 3.2 miles per kWh. The GLC returned 20.3 kWh/100 km (3.06 miles/kWh), while the EX60 used 21.1 kWh/100 km (2.94 miles/kWh). That means the BMW consumed roughly 4% less energy than the Mercedes and 8% less than the Volvo.With the biggest battery in the test, 108.7 kWh usable capacity, this efficiency gave the iX3 a considerable range advantage over its rivals: 338 miles (544 km) versus 279 miles (449 km) in the GLC, and 260 miles (419 km) in the Volvo. This is after Kris subtracted 3% to account for what he describes as heat and discharging losses.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's worth noting that the Volvo EX60 P10 featured in the comparison wasn't the top version, like the two German participants. That would have been the P12 version of the EX60, which has a 112-kWh battery versus the P10's 91 kWh pack. Interestingly, Volvo rates the larger-battery model as being marginally more efficient, but only by 0.1 kWh/100 km.Calculated using the same efficiency as in the video, a P12 model would have achieved a theoretical range rating of 320 miles (515 km). That would still have been 18 miles (29 km) less than the iX3.More Range TestsThe Mercedes GLC Electric Drove 393 Miles Mostly On Highways With One Quick ChargeA BMW iX3 Charged For Just 15 Minutes. Here's How Far It Drove On The HighwaySame Battery Size, Different Range: VW ID. Polo Takes On Renault 5Rivian R2 70-MPH Highway Range Test: Does It Live Up To The Hype?One aspect that likely affected the Volvo's overall efficiency was its larger wheels. It was the only vehicle riding on 22-inch wheels, while the BMW and Mercedes both had more efficient 20-inch wheels.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Volvo also topped the drivers' subjective highway comfort rankings, with Kris praising its quiet cabin and smooth ride. He also liked the Mercedes' seats, steering, and smoothness, which I praised in my first drive of the electric GLC. The iX3 also showed impressive efficiency when I drove it on a mixed route; BMW took it 626 miles on a single charge in a hypermiling experiment, with 3% remaining by the end of the journey, highlighting its road-trip capability.
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