Efficiency & Charging
9/10
Performance & Driving Dynamics
9/10
Interior & Technology
9.5/10
Practicality & Usability
8.5/10
Value & Running Costs
8/10
Overall
9/10
Overview
The iX3 M60 xDrive is the fastest and most powerful version of BMW's Neue Klasse SUV, sitting at the top of the iX3 range. It is aimed at drivers who want a family-sized electric SUV with genuine performance-car pace and BMW's driver-focused character. Rivals include the Porsche Macan Electric, the Audi SQ6 e-tron and the Tesla Model Y Performance. The strengths include huge power, a range of up to 468 miles and 400kW charging, backed by a real chassis upgrade. The weaknesses are some controversial touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, an average boot for the class and a price that is still to be announced.
Design
The iX3 M60 keeps the clean, crisply surfaced Neue Klasse look but adds enough motorsport flavour to stand apart. The front end gets M-specific lights either side of the kidney grille, each built from three strips echoing the classic M stripes, while their yellow colour is taken from BMW's M Hybrid V8 racing car. M Sport exterior items and the Iconic Glow package, which adds contour lighting around the kidneys, are both standard. In profile, short overhangs, a long wheelbase and strongly sculpted arches give a muscular stance, helped by gloss black roof rails and striped M mirror caps. The car rides on 21-inch M alloys, with 22-inch aerodynamic wheels offered exclusively on this model. At the rear, a black diffuser, a distinctive light signature, and a roof spoiler with two aeroblades finish the look.
Interior
The cabin follows the Neue Klasse template, with an M makeover that stays tasteful. The centrepiece is Panoramic iDrive running BMW Operating System X, combining the standard Panoramic Vision strip along the base of the windscreen with a 17.9-inch central touchscreen angled towards the driver and an optional 3D head-up display. M Sport seats come as standard with ten-way electric adjustment, a massage function and illuminated M logos in the headrests, while the driver display adds a Powermeter showing power deployed and reserves remaining. The steering wheel has a red 12 o'clock marker and dedicated Boost and M Mode buttons. Seat materials include black Veganza and PerformTex, with Contemporary and BMW Individual themes also available. A 13-speaker, 430W Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos is also included, and the optional Digital Premium package unlocks the Cockpit and Drag Meter apps. The caveat is that there is no rotary iDrive controller, and a complaint of the wider iX3 range is the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, though the Panoramic Vision display earns widespread praise.
Performance & Powertrains
A motor on each axle combines for a total output of 450kW and 875Nm of torque, enough for 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and a 149mph top speed. The rear axle gets a new electrically excited synchronous motor with a stronger 420A inverter. The 108kWh battery offers up to 468 miles of range, and the 800V system accepts DC charging at up to 400kW, enough to add up to 211 miles in just 10 minutes at a compatible charger. The dynamics are where the M60 earns its name. Adaptive M suspension, variable-ratio sport steering and an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential are all standard, alongside bespoke spring and damper tuning, front anti-roll bar links and extra front-end bracing. The Heart of Joy computer, which BMW says works 10x faster than earlier systems, coordinates drive, braking and steering, and the shift paddles let the driver adjust the eDrive response. M Sport brakes in red or blue are also fitted.
Practicality
The M60 measures 4,782mm long, 1,895mm wide and 1,635mm tall, on a 2,897mm wheelbase. The generous legroom and headroom for tall adults has been taken straight from the regular iX3, and the 40:20:40 split rear bench adds more flexibility. The iX3 M60 offers 520 litres with the seats up and 1,750 litres with them folded, plus a 58-litre frunk that is perfect for charging cables. That trails the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric at 570 litres and the Tesla Model Y at 854 litres, though it is on a par with the Audi SQ6 e-tron's 526 litres. Up front, cubbies, a wireless charging tray and a large open storage area handle small items.
Buying
Orders open at the end of January 2027, with production starting at BMW's Debrecen plant in Hungary in spring 2027. Pricing has yet to be confirmed but is estimated to start from around £85,000. For context, this is a big step up from the iX3 50 xDrive which starts at £60,655. The EV Hub recommended configuration is the single-spec iX3 M60. Over the standard model, this adds more power, adaptive suspension, massage seats and a Harman Kardon system as standard