BMW's new Neue Klasse iX3 starts at $89,900 for the rear drive iX3 40, under the Luxury Car Tax threshold. We compare the 40 and 50 xDrive on price, range, charging and equipment, and show how it stacks up against the Audi Q6 e-tron, Mercedes GLC electric and Tesla Model Y.
By Varun Punyamurtula ·
The new iX3 is the most convincing electric BMW yet, and the iX3 40 is the sweet spot. For $89,900 plus on road costs it gives you the full equipment list, up to 635km of range and 21 minute fast charging, while dodging LCT and qualifying for the FBT exemption. Only buy the 50 xDrive if you need all wheel drive, extra range or a 2,000kg towing capacity.
From $89,900 plus on road costs (iX3 40). iX3 50 xDrive $109,900 plus on road costs.
About $96,600 drive away in NSW for the BMW iX3 40. See VIC and QLD
The new BMW iX3 is the first of BMW's "Neue Klasse" cars, the all new generation that will shape every BMW for the next decade. It is one of the most talked about new cars in Australia right now, and with the cheaper rear wheel drive iX3 40 arriving at $89,900, it suddenly costs the same as an Audi Q6 e-tron.
So should you buy the iX3 40 or spend $20,000 more on the all wheel drive iX3 50 xDrive? And how does it stack up against the Audi, Mercedes and Tesla alternatives?
Quick answer: For most buyers the iX3 40 is the pick. It has the same standard equipment as the 50 xDrive, up to 635km of range, 21 minute fast charging and a price under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, which also makes it FBT exempt on a novated lease. Only spend the extra $20,000 on the 50 xDrive if you want all wheel drive, 345kW, up to 805km of range or a 2,000kg towing capacity.
There are two versions of the new iX3 in Australia. Prices are BMW's list prices plus on road costs:
The iX3 40 sits just under the Luxury Car Tax threshold for fuel efficient cars, so it avoids LCT altogether and qualifies for the electric car FBT exemption if you buy it through a novated lease or your business. The 50 xDrive is over the threshold, and its list price already includes LCT. Most reports put the first iX3 40 deliveries in the final quarter of 2026, so ask your dealer about build slots before you commit.
Our NSW, VIC and QLD drive away estimates for both are in the table at the end of this review, or use our car value and drive away tool to see what any new car will cost on the road.
Winner: iX3 40. It gives you the same cabin and equipment for $20,000 less. Even its "short" range of 635km is more than most rivals offer at any price.
BMW Australia has given the iX3 40 the same standard equipment as the 50 xDrive, which is unusual for an entry model:
Options include the M Sport Package Pro, 21 and 22 inch wheels, and BMW Individual paint from $6,000.
Winner on value: iX3 40. There's no stripped out base model feel here.
The iX3 looks like nothing else BMW sells today. The kidney grille is now a pair of slim, tall shapes that light up at night, the bonnet is short and the wheels are pushed right to the corners.
Exterior:
Rear:
Inside, the dashboard is very simple. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, key information is shown on the Panoramic iDrive strip along the base of the windscreen, and almost everything else lives on the central touchscreen. The steering wheel has an all new design too. If you're used to an older BMW with an iDrive dial, the new layout will take a little getting used to.
Interior (European left hand drive model shown):
This is where the iX3 is strongest. The iX3 40's 635km WLTP range beats the Audi Q6 e-tron's 485km at the same price, and it charges faster too.
Winner: iX3 40 for value per kilometre, 50 xDrive for outright range.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used iX3. Get the best deal.
The iX3 is a medium SUV, about the size of the current X3, with a long wheelbase and a flat floor in the back.
Winner: iX3. The boot is bigger than most rivals, and the front boot means the cables don't eat into your luggage space.
The new iX3 has a five star ANCAP rating and was reported as the first car to earn five stars under ANCAP's tougher 2026 test rules. Standard Driving Assistant Plus adds adaptive cruise control with steering assist, lane change assist and more on top of the usual autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.
Winner: iX3. It is one of the safest new SUVs on sale.
BMW's new car warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres, and the high voltage battery has its own eight year or 160,000km warranty. Electric BMWs have fewer parts to service than petrol ones, and BMW offers prepaid service plans so you can lock in costs at purchase.
Winner on price: Tesla Model Y. Winner on range and charging at $90,000: iX3 40. Winner on performance: iX3 50 xDrive.
Buy it if: you want a luxury electric SUV with genuine 600km plus range, very fast charging, five star safety and the latest BMW tech, especially if you can buy through a novated lease.
Skip it if: you prefer physical buttons and a traditional dashboard, you need a car right now (early stock is limited), or a Model Y does everything you need for a lot less money.
Our pick: the iX3 40 at $89,900 plus on road costs. It is the sweet spot of the range and one of the best value luxury EVs in Australia. The 50 xDrive is the better car to drive and tow with, but the 40 has everything most people will use.
Shopping around this price? See our picks for the best car and SUV for $100,000, or our BMW X5 review if you need something bigger.
The iX3 40 is $89,900 and the iX3 50 xDrive is $109,900, both plus on road costs.
Up to 635km WLTP for the iX3 40 and up to 805km WLTP for the iX3 50 xDrive.
Yes. At $89,900 it sits under the fuel efficient LCT threshold, so no LCT applies and it qualifies for the electric car FBT exemption on a novated lease.
The iX3 40 charges at up to 300kW and the 50 xDrive at up to 400kW. Both go from 10 to 80 per cent in about 21 minutes on a fast enough charger.
No. The iX3 40 is rear wheel drive with one motor. The iX3 50 xDrive is all wheel drive.
The iX3 50 xDrive is rated to tow 2,000kg braked.
It is a brand new car on BMW's Neue Klasse platform, with a 520 litre boot plus a 58 litre front boot and far more range than the old iX3.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used iX3. Get the best deal. Trading in your current car? We can help you sell your car too, and you can see what it's worth with our car value tool.
Prices and specifications checked on 12 October 2026 from BMW Australia and BMW Group. Rival prices and drive away offers change often, so confirm with a dealer before you buy. Images: BMW Group (European models shown); rivals image: Audi AG, Tesla Australia.
An estimate for a private buyer. Pick your state.
| BMW iX3 40 | BMW iX3 50 xDrive | |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $89,900 | $109,900 |
| Luxury Car Tax (already in the list price) | None | $4,209 |
| Stamp duty (NSW) | $3,695 | $4,695 |
| Rego and CTP, 12 months | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Dealer delivery (typical) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Drive away, about | $96,600 | $117,600 |
Why a new car loses value so fast: about $6,695 of the drive away price is stamp duty, rego, CTP and dealer delivery. You never get that back when you sell, because the next owner pays their own. GST and any Luxury Car Tax are built into the list price, so they fade with the car's value over the years rather than vanishing on day one. The rest of the drop comes from age, kilometres and demand.
Estimates only, using 2026-27 rates. Rego and CTP depend on the car's weight, your insurer and postcode, and dealer delivery varies (some brands sell at one national drive away price). Ask the dealer for a written drive away quote.
Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to help you find the best deal anywhere in Australia.
List it on Drivers Insider in a few minutes and reach buyers right across Australia.
Sell your carSources
7.7/10The updated BYD Atto 3 Evo is here from $41,990. We compare the Dynamic and Premium on price, range, charging, boot space and towing, and show how it stacks up against the Geely EX5, MG S5 EV and Tesla Model Y.
BYD has sold almost twice as many cars as Tesla in Australia this year, but the Model Y is still the top selling EV. Here's the sales scoreboard, and how the Model Y and Sealion 7 compare on price, range, charging and more.
7.7/10The first all new CX-5 since 2017 is bigger, safer and AWD across the range, from $39,990. But there's still no hybrid. Here's the price, what each grade gets, and how it stacks up against the RAV4 and Tucson.
7.8/10The Geely EX5 just cracked Australia's top 10 sellers at $41,990 plus on road costs. Here is what you get for the money, and where the real risks hide.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.
Sign in to comment or create a free account