FW editor John Challen finds the cost advantages of running an EV continue to stack up.

BMW G08 iX3 Premier Edition Pro   

P11d (BiK): £59,675 (2%) Range: 281 miles (claimed) On Fleet range: 260 miles Test efficiency: 3.5mpkWh   

BMW provides a handy reminder on the B-pillar of where the iX3 came from

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Talking to peers, manufacturers and members of the general public, there seem to be two schools of thought when it comes to electric vehicles. On the one had there is the futuristic “you’ve never seen – or driven – anything like this before” (see Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, for example) vision. But there are also lots of fans of ‘traditional’ cars that have had the engine removed and a battery pack inserted in its place. This latter group is especially important in the shift to EVs, because some people are naturally resistant to change, so it’s vital to keep things familiar. Fortunately, in the case of the iX3, BMW is literally spelling it out, with a handy reminder on the B-pillar of where the EV came from.

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way of looking at it – there are a lot of drivers out there and the industry can’t expect them to have the same tastes. But one of the great things about the iX3 is the fact that it is based on an already impressive car – the X3.

For me, big plus points are buttons (having been frustrated by a few models recently that have gone down the haptic/touchscreen-only route) and general layout. As much as I admire a fresh approach to interiors, sometimes you just have to respect the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ rule of thumb.

I’ve said before that the X3 does the vast majority of things really well and I stand by that. If I’m being picky – or, to be more accurate if Mrs Challen is – the ride is a bit firm, which isn’t great, given the state of a lot of UK roads at the moment.

Our time with YH21 FXR is nearly up and it will be sorely missed. The range might not be enough for some people, but after nearly 8,000 miles of testing, it’s never presented me with any problems.

Our iX3 at the debut of 3ti’s mobile charging unit in Guildford

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As fuel prices continue to rise, we seemed to have got lucky with the likes of the iX3 on the fleet. As I take Challen Jnr to work at the local supermarket, one glance at the numbers on the filling station’s display are often a nice reminder that, while refuelling cars with electricity isn’t fast enough for some, the cost advantages are not to be scoffed at.

One feature of the iX3 I’ve been making very generous use of in the recent high temperatures is the pre-cooling function via the BMW app. There are occasional complaints from my passengers when they get into a baking hot car (they don’t know they’re born, I tell you!), so I always try and get some icy air blasted into the cabin. It’s a very efficient system – even five minutes is enough to nice and chilly.

Meanwhile, I’ve got into the habit of topping up on charge – often sneaking a cheeky 10-15 minutes here and there – to make sure I’ve got a decent amount of range at all times. It might be frowned upon by some, but I think it’s a good habit to get into. Especially if you are risk averse (like me) and a potential sufferer of range anxiety (not like me). A recent example was during a trip to the debut of 3ti’s mobile charging unit in Guildford. Constructed from a shipping container, these units are designed to overcome challenges with workplace charging (you may have read the story online in our sister publication, EV Fleet World Digital Magazine) and it is a model that has real momentum behind it. A quick 10 minutes in a free bay towards the end of the event was enough for me to see the technology in action and witness the seamless linkup between iX3 and 3ti’s Papilio3 charger.

Our iX3 puts paid to unwarranted stereotypes

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I absolutely hate lazy stereotypes. Unfortunately, there are quite a few of them in the car world, so I get to see and hear them all the time. Any sentence that starts ‘Typical [insert car brand here] driver…’ I’ll dismiss out of hand. It used to be BMW, but more recently I’ve heard Audi (maybe all these ‘drivers’ have switched allegiance?). And then there’s the whole ‘BMWs aren’t fitted with indicators’ trope. That quote is actually the one that triggered these words – I was out for a run and, approaching a roundabout, I clocked four vehicles going around it with zero indicators used. Were any of them BMWs? Reader, they were not – one Transit van, one Jaguar S-Type, a Mondeo and a Land Rover Discovery. Typical former Premier Automotive Group brand drivers…

Anyway, I digress – before I’d even started! But there is a point. As a ‘BMW driver’, currently spending time in the wonderful iX3 (before I become another kind of driver, when I will – I assume – change personality because I’m no longer in the Bavarian beast) I particularly take issue with these character assessments. So, I will wave people across the street, let ALL the cars out, make sure I use indicators at EVERY opportunity and – I’ve found – drive quite sedately. Nothing like going against the grain of a stereotype.

The point is that in the electric BMW, it is easy to drive like that because the car’s characteristics put you at ease. Yes, it’s rapid from a standing start, but so is pretty much every EV on the market. I’ve seen quite a few car reviews of SUVs recently where one of the first tests is a zero to 60mph sprint. I mean, yes, I guess it could be important to some people, but it’s a family car that weighs more than two tonnes – it’s hardly going to need F1-inspired technology.

Needless to say, I’ve not attempted it in the iX3 because I’m quite happy to be wafting along relative silence – the only din at the moment coming from the impressive air-conditioning unit that is blasting cold air into my face to combat the heat.

It’s that sort of attention to detail – making sure that all of the relatively minor things work really well – that makes a big difference. As well as the AC, that also goes for everything from the storage capacity to the seat comfort to the quality of the stereo. The fact that I can’t think of many things to complain about the iX3 speaks volumes.

Typical BMW…

The iX’s audio display doesn’t show a full readout of songs that are playing

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It’s taken a while, but I’ve discovered a couple of things about the iX3 that are just a little bit of a pain. Don’t get me wrong, I still rate this battery-powered BMW as one of the most complete cars out there – and does almost everything very well. However, perfection isn’t really something that’s achieved often – and not in the automotive world.

First up is the audio display – on both displays in front of me. Specifically, it’s the fact that neither show a full readout of songs that are playing. Maybe it’s because of my age, but I sometimes struggle to remember the names of tracks from my youth(!). As if not bad enough, feel my pain when I’m trying to be down with the kids, and listening to the latest drill banger, and I’m largely at a loss. Occasionally the vital information scrolls across the screen, but other times, nothing. That’s the case for both the main dashboard display as well as the central screen. Comparing notes with another iX3 driver, I’m not alone – but I’m not sure if it’s anything that could be fixed with a software update or similar. And it’s not exactly a deal-breaker, despite the frustration of song names that sometimes remain a mystery to me.

The other quirk I’ve found is in the electric mileage range gauge, which, on more than one occasion, has taken it upon itself to reset without any driver intervention. Just the other day, I started out a 200-mile journey with 171 miles in the ‘tank’. Not a problem for light foot Challen (I’ve found my average speeds have gone down since driving EVs regularly) because I knew the iX3 would recalibrate as I progressed on my journey. And so it turned out – I got to 130 miles left with 139 miles of available range. Only then, it jumped down to 119, which meant I was left pondering fast chargers for a ‘splash and dash’. Thankfully it righted itself but, once again, I was left a little disappointed. Well, no, actually I was more confused – wondering why things like that happen and whether they can be ‘fixed’.

But then I guess no-one – or no car – is perfect…

The ‘IconicSounds Electric’ feature comes with four settings

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A lot of modern cars – like smartphones – have so much technology that ultimately goes untouched or unexplored by drivers. I’m conscious not to let that happen, so I’ve been playing around with the iX3’s many features to see how they improve (hopefully) the driving experience. 

First up is the ‘IconicSounds Electric’ feature – technology developed in collaboration with legendary film score composer Hans Zimmer, For starters, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is anything to do with the Harman/Kardon sound system – although we are big fans of that particular bit of kit in the BMW. No, this is technology that creates sounds that *checks notes* “reflect the specific performance characteristics of the drive system on board and the signature attributes of an electrified BMW in a completely new yet wholly authentic way”. 

In short, it gives the vehicle a more ‘traditional’ noise typically associated with vehicles powered by an engine. There are four settings: ‘depending on driving mode’, sporty, balanced and off. Having had the system stuck in the first one, I opted for sporty and wasn’t disappointed. However, my reaction probably wasn’t what Herr Zimmer and co had in mind – or maybe it was, because I found the emitted noise hilarious. In a good way, I should add – there’s something comforting about the sounds of acceleration and to have it replicated in such a way is a positive in my mind. 

Yes, it’s clearly manufactured – and one of the benefits of EVs is their near-silent operation – but it’s a welcome addition. Maybe it’s better suited to urban driving as there seems less of a point having the sound on when cruising motorways, which is where the other modes come in.  

I’ve subsequently gone 180-degrees and turned it off to get the opposite experience. I have to say, it’s equally nice to be floating around in near silence – apart from the minor tyre and motor noise emitted from the SUV.   

Our new iX3 long termer

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It’s not often that I get into a car and feel instantly at home. But that was the case with our latest fleet addition, the iX3. We’re big fans of the BMW product range, so it should come as no surprise that a few moments with the new EV should create such a reaction. It’s comfortable, spacious, got a decent driving range and is generally a very nice place to be.

I’ve racked up quite a few miles already – trips to Manchester and the Midlands have tested how accurate that range is – and arrived pretty fresh at my destination each time. We’ve opted for the Premier Edition Pro, which means a whole host of comfort, safety and convenience options. Standard bits include automatic air conditioning, adaptive suspension, 20-inch black alloys and sportsseats upfront.

Meanwhile, the extra options as part of the Premier Edition Pro spec include front heated seats, head-up display, high-beam assist and a very impressive Harman/Kardon sound system.

One option however that I have struggled with on more than one occasion is ‘gesture control’, which often appears too clever for its own good. Any inadvertent hand movements can result in the radio changing channel or a change in the volume. I’m struggling to see the point of it, if I’m honest, but I’ll persevere…

Other than that, the iX3 appears to be an almost perfect package. The latest version of iDrive works pretty seamlessly, smartphone connectivity is instant and, even though it’s totally subjective, I think it looks great!