Driving BMW’s pure electric iX3 SUV, part of the popular X3 range, BMW’s best-selling model – the iX3 is priced at $114,900 which includes a five-year Chargefox network membership. First impression, fast, quiet, super smooth with a 210kW electric motor that can spin up to 17,000 revs and a single speed automatic transmission.

With its large battery pack under the floor it tips the scales at 2260 kilos with its centre of gravity 75mm lower than a conventional X3. As such it feels somewhat heavy on road but stable and handles superbly with BMW’s keynote steering feel. Visually, as I said earlier it looks little different to its petrol and diesel powered X3 siblings.

The electric drive experience sensational, with three adaptive drive modes just so enjoyable, especially quiet, and very well insulated from road noise as well which makes it a very relaxed driver. There’s some clever functions like the ‘acoustic protection for pedestrians’ which sets up a sound emanating from the car up to 30km/hour.

Warranty at three years/unlimited falls short while the battery is warranted to 8 years/160,000 km. So many aspects of this pure electric BMW iX3 are impressive, however, I find the whole charging process tedious and time consuming. The petrol M40i X3 for the same money would be my buy.

I’m David Berthon.

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