BMW’s Electric i3 and iX3 Raise the EV Standard With a 400-Plus-Mile Range

The current BMW i5 electric sedan has an official range of 278 to 310 miles, and it might be closer to 250 to 270 in the real world. 

That is why the coming 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive—the first of the “Neue Klasse” cars coming to the U.S. early next year and just revealed to the world—is such a game changer.  

The range is estimated at 440 miles, beating most EVs on the road now, and it is coupled with exciting performance, including zero-to-60 estimated at 3.8 seconds and an impressive 463 horsepower (with 476 pound-feet of torque) from a pair of electric motors, delivering xDrive to all four wheels.  

A single-motor version is down the road. The price isn’t out yet, but it is likely to begin between US$55,000 and $65,000.  

If sedans aren’t your thing, the electric 3-Series will also be offered as an approximately $60,000 iX3 crossover SUV, which has a similar powertrain and performance.  

The twin-motor iX3 50 xDrive has a slightly lower 400 miles of range, due in part to its less-aerodynamic shape compared with the i3. It is also not quite as speedy, getting to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.  

BMW design has been iffy lately, and virtually no one loves the cars with the huge kidney grilles, but the “Neue Klasse” turns the page, and the i3 and iX3 are both strikingly handsome.  

The i3 isn’t a particularly lightweight vehicle, at approximately 4,850 pounds, which is why both the i3 and iX3 need a huge 108-kilowatt-hour battery pack.  

The drawback could be longer charge times, but up to 400-kilowatt plug ins are available here.  

At a DC fast charger, a charge from 10% to 80% should take only 21 minutes.  

A 19.2-kilowatt home charger is available. The pack supports standard bidirectional charging, which means it could theoretically provide power to your home during an outage.  

A bonus is that the big battery can also supply 3,700 watts for whatever you have in mind, from tailgating to camping.  

The cars share basic suspension, but on the sedan an adaptive M-branded suspension is available.  

Both BMWs introduce the new Panoramic iDrive, which features an 18-inch touch screen angled at the driver.  

Early users say it is incredibly responsive. Inside, the standard trim features Econeer upholstery that is 100% fabricated from recycled PET bottles.  

M Design cars upgrade to black Veganza (aka vegan leather). The top trim is BMW Individual with black Merino leather.  

It is standard for automakers to introduce their fully loaded models out of the gate, with the more bread-and-butter versions appearing later.  

BMW is certainly doing that here, but i3s and iX3s priced below $50,000 are expected fairly soon.  

The momentum for electrics has certainly slowed, but cars like these—offering performance, dynamics and features superior to the conventional alternatives—should help EVs get back on track.