BMW sets out to beat Tesla Model Y as benchmark iX3 SUV offers longer range and Neue Klasse comforts
On September 5th, BMW will debut its next iX3 electric SUV generation that aims squarely at the Tesla Model Y with triple 400 specifications, or 400 miles of EPA rage, 400 kW charging speed, and 400 hp of performance output.
The new iX3 SUV will be priced from about $55,000 in the US, and for the five grand premium over the AWD Model Y BMW provides an 800V powertrain, pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive info display at the bottom of the windshield, bidirectional charging, and the superb handling typically associated with the brand.
The first BMW iX3 reviews and testing sessions indicate that the SUV can add 200+ miles of range for 10 minutes of charging at a suitable pile indeed, thanks to BMW's proprietary cylindrical batteries with 20% higher energy density.
For comparison, Tesla's only 800-volt vehicle, the Cybertruck, is powered by its 4680 cells whose thermal inefficiency results in a questionable charging curve that adds about 140 miles of range in 15 minutes. At the same time, the 2026 BMW iX3 offers a much larger, 100+ kWh battery, which explains how it pierced the 400-mile range threshold on the demanding EPA test routine.
The iX3 testers praise its handling, traction, and stopping abilities, as BMW has now consolidated the input of four so-called Superbrain computers with 20x the processing power of its predecessor. These are responsible for the automated driving functions such as lane keeping or parallel parking, as well as for stability controls, infotainment system, and the basic features like locking or A/C. Liquid-cooled, these integrated Superbrain computers saved BMW numerous controllers, fuses, and about 2,000 meters of extra wiring, all the while the electronics consume 20% less energy.
Needless to say, while the Tesla Model Y may not be the fastest electric vehicle with the longest range or even quick charging abilities, in the US it excels thanks to Tesla's FSD autonomous driving system, which BMW won't replicate. It remains to be seen if the new iX3, as superior as it is in other metrics, will prove popular in the US, where the brand is otherwise associated with premium features and superior driving experience.
