BMW iX3 UK range test: 423 miles versus a 498-mile WLTP rating

© A. Krivonosov / SPEEDME

423 miles (681 km) — that is the calculated distance the BMW iX3 50 xDrive could cover in a comparison test of four electric SUVs. It was the best result, yet BMW also fell furthest short of its own WLTP figure and posted the highest energy consumption of the quartet. The Tesla Model Y, by contrast, finished last for range but first for efficiency.

Britain’s What Car? put the BMW iX3 50 xDrive, Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC Electric, Volvo EX60 P10 AWD and Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD on the same route. The cars started at 100 % charge, the climate control was set to 21 degrees, and most of the trip took place on motorways at a target speed of about 113 km/h. At roughly 10 % remaining charge, each car was directed to a rapid charger, after which its potential full range was calculated.

BMW achieved about 681 km. Mercedes posted a calculated 627 km, Volvo 563 km and Tesla 528 km. The iX3 therefore beat the GLC by around 54 km, the EX60 by 118 km and the Model Y by 153 km.

Absolute range, however, tells only part of the story. The tested iX3 was rated at 498 miles, or about 802 km WLTP, so its result was roughly 15.1% below the official figure. For the Volvo EX60 P10 Ultra, the gap between the calculated 350 miles and the 403 miles claimed for that configuration was about 13.2%. Tesla was around 11.8% down, at 328 miles versus an official 372. Mercedes came much closer to its stated 396 miles, or roughly 637 km: its calculated 390-mile range was only about 1.5% short.

BMW UK currently quotes up to 500 miles WLTP for the iX3 50 xDrive, with the exact figure changing with specification. That makes the 498-mile test car important: it sat almost at the top of the British homologation band, so the 15.1% deficit belongs to this particular configuration rather than to every iX3 50 xDrive.

Energy use is especially revealing. Tesla was best at around 16.8 kWh/100 km. Mercedes and Volvo both managed roughly 16.9 kWh/100 km, while BMW used about 17.0 kWh/100 km. The differences are tiny, so the iX3’s kilometre advantage comes not from superior efficiency but primarily from its large battery with 108.7 kWh of usable capacity. BMW officially confirms that figure for the iX3 50 xDrive.

The methodology and the vehicle specification explain why the same BMW can produce very different “real-world” numbers. In the June NAF El Prix, the iX3 covered 781 km — 100 km more than in the What Car? test. The car entered by NAF had a WLTP rating of 770 km, while the What Car? test car was rated at 498 miles, or about 802 km. The route, weather and driving pattern were also different, and NAF used much more of the battery. The iX3’s 781 km result in the independent NAF test therefore cannot be directly compared with 681 km as evidence that the car became better or worse.

The exact version matters for the rivals as well. Volvo officially quotes up to 410.1 miles, or around 660 km WLTP, for the EX60 P10 AWD, but the figure depends on wheels and equipment. The P10 Ultra used in the test had an official rating of 403 miles. For the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the comparison used a figure of 372 miles, or about 599 km WLTP.

The biggest surprise came after the range figures were measured. What Car? did not give BMW the overall win: the Mercedes GLC proved more balanced for comfort, handling and equipment, while its actual range was very close to the official figure. The iX3 was praised for its handling but criticised for a firmer ride, road noise and cabin materials.

The Volvo result cannot be applied to the entire line-up either: the test used the P10 AWD, while the EX60 family includes versions with different batteries and ranges.

In the end, the test produced three different winners by different criteria: BMW for absolute range, Tesla for efficiency and Mercedes for accuracy versus WLTP and overall balance. That is why a single figure of “681 km” describes what the iX3 can do in this particular test, but does not answer which of the four electric SUVs is the most rational choice for a long trip.