New Favorite
As the automotive landscape changes, automakers have revamped their future plans, especially for the EV segment. BMW put a lot of time, effort, money, and belief into its Neue Klasse models, and one stalwart is the reworked and renewed iX3. The iX3 was one of the first new-generation EVs to come from the BMW Neue Klasse family, and it has become an instant success in the markets where it’s offered.
There’s a lot to like about the new iX3, but its critical metric has always been its efficiency in using up battery energy. A recently concluded test suggests the iX3 is more efficient than previously believed.
BMW
The Extra Miles
In a test conducted by Edmunds, the iX3 was pitted against its chief rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GLC EV and the Volvo EX60. The test shows the iX3 is much more efficient than the other two; it managed an impressive 436 miles before running out of juice. In comparison, the GLC ran out of battery 44 miles before the BMW, while the Volvo managed a whopping 84 miles less than the BMW. Even more shocking, neither competitor model breached the 400-mile mark during the real-world test.
Another hallmark of this test was showing that the iX3 can drive farther than its EPA-rated range. The EPA rated the iX3 with a total range of just 392 miles; during this test, the iX3 went 44 miles farther, which is 11.2% more than the official figure. It’s an impressive achievement, especially given that the EPA is more conservative in its ratings than the WLTP figures used in Europe and the CLTC numbers used in China.
Reaching 436 miles means the iX3’s EV motor needs to be efficient, and during the test, the car averaged 28.3 kWh per 100 miles, which was also much lower than the EPA’s rating of 32 kWh. On efficiency, though, all three cars were about the same, each averaging around 28 kWh, with the BMW slightly better than the other two.
Mercedes-Benz
The Edmunds Test
Edmunds’ real-world test utilizes a 60% city driving and 40% highway driving mix with an average speed of 40 mph. Each test car was run within 5 mph of the official speed limits, with climate control set to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Each car was also set to its most efficient, eco-minded settings.
BMW
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