BMW iX3 Leads Real-World EV Range Test Ahead Of Lucid And Mercedes

Chasing Every Mile

Needless to say, range is one of the most important factors when choosing an electric vehicle. That is especially true for buyers who may use an EV for specific purposes, such as city driving only, where a lower-priced, shorter-range model like the Nissan Leaf could suffice. That is why real-world range tests are useful, and one of the latest was conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF).

Based on the test conducted during the Norwegian summer, the BMW iX3 topped the rankings with a real-world range of 485 miles. That was about seven miles more than its WLTP-rated range – a testing standard used in Europe that is generally more generous than the EPA standard used in the U.S. – representing a positive deviation of 1.5%.

Hits and Misses

Speaking of deviation, it may be one of the most telling results from the test, as it helps show whether buyers are getting the range they were promised. Notably, the model with the worst deviation, the MG IM6, is not sold in the U.S. It returned 277 miles in real-world testing, 11.7% below its WLTP-rated range. On the other hand, the Xpeng X9, another Chinese model on the list, had the best positive deviation, going from 360 miles to 401 miles, an increase of 11.4%.

The Toyota bZ4X, sold as the bZ in the U.S., showed virtually no deviation, with both its WLTP-rated range and NAF’s real-world test result coming in at 314 miles.

Following the list-leading BMW iX3 was the Lucid Gravity, which posted a real-world range of 447 miles, 3.7% below its WLTP-rated range of 465 miles. Completing the top five were the Mercedes-Benz CLA, Mercedes-Benz GLC 400, and Xpeng X9.

The Efficiency Race

While the BMW iX3 topped the rankings, it is worth noting that real-world range can still vary depending on charging and driving habits, particularly for those who accelerate aggressively or drive at higher speeds. Still, automakers continue to push EV range higher through advances in EV architecture and battery technology, as well as efficiency gains from improved aerodynamics and lighter construction.

In the U.S., BMW lists the iX3 with an estimated range of up to 434 miles. It is also the first BMW model underpinned by the all-electric Neue Klasse platform, with an 800-volt architecture that enables a 10% to 80% DC fast-charging time of 21 minutes under ideal conditions.