2027 BMW iX3 First Look: A Massive Shake-Up For the EV World
Finally, a clean-sheet BMW design that results in a compelling electric SUV
- The 2027 BMW iX3 is a new electric SUV that’s packed with tech inside and out.
- It sets the tone for a new generation of cars from BMW.
- Highlights include up to 400 miles of range and a completely revised iDrive infotainment system.
A new wave of BMW EVs is coming, and it all starts with the 2027 iX3. This SUV will bring its all-electric efforts into the future with a clean-sheet design and a barrage of fresh technology that will expand throughout the BMW lineup. In other words, this is a really big deal.
It seems like every automaker makes a massive declaration about its next-generation EV every time a new one rolls around. But this time around, BMW really means it; the platform that underpins the iX3 is the biggest investment the company has ever made into a product in its history. BMW is doing a lot more than responding to some EV fad — this is a long-term play.
All new everything
Though BMW has EVs on the road already like the iX and the i5, the new iX3 shares nothing in common with them whatsoever. Everything from its battery cells to its interior technology is different. If you’ve already got a BMW in your garage and think you know what’s coming, trust me, this is an entirely different ballgame.
Design-wise, the iX3 will likely be a very welcome change in direction for a brand that has been criticized relentlessly over the last few years for cars that have failed to aesthetically connect with the masses. This won’t win everyone over, but it isn’t so polarizing. Personally, I think it’s a win.
Part of that exterior design is about gliding through the air to maximize range, and BMW’s early estimates are promising. The twin-motor iX3 50 xDrive will hit the market with an estimated 400 miles of range. For some context, the farthest-driving BMW we’ve put on the Edmunds EV Range Test went 377 miles, so we’re most likely looking at a new benchmark for the brand.
The iX3 50 xDrive will also offer 463 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque from its two motors, which BMW says propels it to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. As with its other EVs, I would expect the iX3 to eventually be offered in faster and slower trim levels, too. The 50 is just the tip of an electric iceberg.
Powering the SUV is a 108-kWh battery, made with a new cylindrical cell design that improves power density and cooling. It also charges quicker than current BMW EVs, now up to 400 kW in ideal conditions. The iX3 also comes with a Tesla-style NACS port, so you’ll be able to juice up at Supercharger stations without an adapter.
We outlined some of the insane new hardware powering this car and how it will affect the driving dynamics in an early prototype drive of the iX3 a few months ago. We came away impressed, but that was just a prototype, so we’ll wait to pass final judgment until we drive the real deal. That said, BMW isn’t shy about its claims for the iX3, asserting everything from more natural-feeling driver assistance features to smoother brake regeneration is all part of the package.
A look inside the future of BMW
Even with its long list of fresh hardware, I think the most meaningful change to the iX3 is its tech-filled cabin. It’s a huge departure from every BMW on the road today and acts as a roadmap for how all of the company’s cars will look in the future.
It starts with a new infotainment system called Panoramic iDrive. In the center of the dashboard is a large 18-inch touchscreen that’s tilted toward the driver. Upon sitting in the car for the first time and interacting with the display, I was immediately impressed by how quick the screen responded to my inputs. This is probably the first system I’ve ever used that felt more responsive than a Tesla.
Working with the touchscreen is a mass of information that runs the entirety of the dash and the base of the windshield, something that BMW calls Panoramic Vision. Think of this as a gigantic head-up display because it isn’t a screen; all of the info at the base of the dash is actually projected onto a black bar painted onto the base of the windshield.
It’s meant to take all of the most important information and put it high up in the driver’s line of vision. You can select what you want displayed up there by sending things from the touchscreen to that glorified head-up display and reconfigure on the fly. It’s a little overwhelming at first, but the functionality seems very cool.
BMW also has a new voice assistant that debuts in the iX3. The icon that pops up on the dash looks kinda like Spider-Man, but I digress. It can handle basic stuff like inputting destinations and making phone calls, but eventually it will handle more complex tasks with AI integration. BMW says it will roll out in time via over-the-air updates.
Once you’re done digesting all of the new screens around you, the rest of the iX3’s interior starts to make an equally strong impression. There’s a lot less going on inside than in the current 5 Series, at least from a design perspective. No crazy, shiny ambient light strips or crystal control wheels — the iX3 reduces the number of things you’re looking at to just the essentials. Some might find that boring, but after an era of controversial BMW interior design to go with the polarizing exteriors, some simplicity might be exactly what buyers want.
Obviously, our team will need to spend much more time inside this thing to give it the comfort seal of approval, but my 10 minutes inside were pleasant. The seats are soft and supportive, with enough bolstering to hold me in place without feeling like I was being smushed. The driving position feels extra elevated, with no traditional gauges above the steering wheel — remember, everything is at the bottom of the windshield in the Panoramic Vision. Backseat space is also pretty generous. Though this is called iX3, the passenger room inside is more similar to that of the larger X5 SUV.
The BMW iX3 will launch first in Europe later this year after its introduction at the IAA show in Munich this month. It will eventually make its way to the U.S. market in the middle of next year, as a 2027 model year vehicle. Translation: If you’re excited about putting an iX3 in your garage, you’ve got a wait on your hands.
BMW says the iX3 50 xDrive will start at around $60,000 in the States. That’s about $15,000 less than the BMW iX, which offers less range and older technology. That’s a touch more than competition like the Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 E-tron, but on first blush, this BMW looks like completely different gravy. But we’ll know for sure once we get behind the wheel.
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Flaunts Its 39-Inch Hyperscreen
Mercedes’ largest screen to date uses 1,000 individual LEDs
- This is our first look at the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC electric SUV’s interior.
- A 39.1-inch high-res touchscreen spans the width of the dashboard.
- The electric GLC will go on sale sometime in 2026.
Go figure: The company that coined the term “Hyperscreen” is now launching yet another wildly oversized in-car display. Making its debut in the 2027 GLC electric SUV, Mercedes’ next Hyperscreen is a 39.1-inch dashboard-spanning high-resolution display comprised of more than 1,000 individual LEDs and will be the largest Mercedes has ever shipped in a car.
A key point of differentiation: Mercedes’ existing Hyperscreen setup — which is available in the electric EQE and EQS sedans — is actually comprised of three displays integrated into one housing. The new GLC’s Hyperscreen, however, is one continuous display. Mercedes-Benz says its new digital real estate can be split into two display areas and has matrix backlight technology so information displayed on the passenger side can be hidden from the driver to reduce overall distraction.
In addition to the Hyperscreen, Mercedes-Benz gave us our first look at a few other GLC EV details, including the circular, backlit air vents that are integrated into the 39.1-inch display’s housing. We can also (kind of) see the center console that’ll stretch between the two front passengers, which Mercedes says comes with “elegant cup holders” and a pair of wireless smartphone chargers.
Now that we’ve seen the 2027 GLC EV’s grille and most of its interior, it won’t be long before the entire SUV is fully revealed. That’ll happen in the coming days; the new GLC electric SUV will debut during the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany, this weekend.
Hyundai Palisade vs. Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Three-Row Midsize SUV Is Best?
The new Palisade takes on two of its biggest rivals
- Whenever one of the best midsize three-row SUVs gets an update, it’s a big deal.
- We brought along two strong competitors to challenge the new Hyundai: the practical Toyota Grand Highlander and the stylish Mazda CX-90
- The old Palisade was second in our rankings. Did it do enough to take the top spot?
When you’re buying a family vehicle, there are a ton of factors that go into the decision. How do they handle car seats? Is the cargo area big enough? What kinds of amenities are in the cabin?
That’s what each of these three vehicles needs to bring to the table (and more) to win this comparison. Joining us are the brand-spanking-new Hyundai Palisade, the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander. Each offers a hybrid (or plug-in hybrid) version, but we’re dealing with the gas-only ones for now. And we’re here to answer one big question: Is the Palisade, fresh off its 2026 redesign, the new king of the three rows?
We’ll cover the good, the bad, and the reasons why each of these three-row midsizers might be the right vehicle for you. But to find the one that’s the most right for the most folks? That will require us to turn to the fabled overall Edmunds Rating to pick a winner.
3rd place: Mazda CX-90
Edmunds Rating: 6.6 (out of 10)
The good: A perfect driving position
As you might expect given its lineage, the CX-90 is the best to drive of this trio by a good margin. Its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six cylinder is offered in two versions, but even though we had a CX-90 with the “lesser” one making 280 hp, it was still the most enjoyable. We’d advise skipping the more powerful setup and saving some money.
In addition to a perfect driving position, the CX-90 had the best handling chops and noticeably more agility than the other two SUVs. There were a few times where the six-speed transmission would shift a bit prematurely, so if you plan on having fun, bumping it into Sport mode is a must. Your passengers might not appreciate the subtle driving pleasures the Mazda provides, but whoever’s behind the wheel has the best seat in the house.
The bad: Cabin space, technology
The other reason we call the driver’s seat the best in the house is that the other seats … aren’t as good. Though it is the longest SUV in our test, the CX-90 has the least second-row and third-row legroom. And getting into the third row is pretty difficult as well. If your primary reason for buying one of these is to use all of the rows, you should look elsewhere. We documented some of these struggles in our recent One-Year Road Test of the CX-90 plug-in.
On top of that, the technology leaves a lot to be desired. Its touchscreen functions only as a screen most of the time and is operated using a puck controller between the front seats. If you are using wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, you can use it as a touchscreen, but only if you’re not moving. It’s maddening, and it’s time for Mazda to update this.
Why you’d buy one: You love to drive
Though it’s the best to drive, it’s hard to recommend the Mazda in this company. The interior materials and styling are still appealing even as the CX-90 ages, but fitting people and stuff isn’t the Mazda’s forte. And for an SUV, that takes away a lot of the appeal.
2nd place: Toyota Grand Highlander
Edmunds Rating: 7.3 (out of 10)
The good: Big insides
Toyota transformed the Highlander by adding “Grand” to its name and 6.5 inches in length, giving it the most spacious third row and the most cargo room (especially with the seats lowered) in this group. And there’s a household outlet, air vents in the ceiling, and a pair of USB-C charging ports for second-row passengers. The only thing to watch out for is that the latch to fold the captain’s chairs forward to access the third row requires a decent amount of force to operate, so kids might not be able to do that by themselves.
The bad: Wake me up when we get there
Styling is admittedly a subjective exercise, but whether you like or dislike the Grand Highlander’s look, we can all agree that it’s a bit plain, especially in this company. The cabin materials in the Limited model skew more toward functional than impressive, and it won’t engender the same oohs and aahs that both of the other vehicles will. There isn’t a lot to dislike about the Toyota; it’s a very, very solid all-around vehicle. It’s just that in the same vein, there isn’t a lot to get your blood pumping either.
Why you’d buy one: You don’t like minivans
If you want the absolute most passenger and cargo room, buy a minivan. But if you want those things and you don’t want a minivan, then you should get one of these.
1st place: Hyundai Palisade
Edmunds Rating: 7.7 (out of 10)
The good: Extra of everything
This interior is absolutely stunning, especially if you get it with the brown interior that our Calligraphy (the top trim level) tester came with. It makes the dashboard look like a piece of midcentury modern furniture that would be just as at home in a Palm Springs living room as it is in the Palisade. It’s stylish in a way the other two vehicles here can’t match, with materials that are clearly a step up over even the Mazda.
And on top of that, you’re also getting some interior features that are exclusive to the Hyundai among this trio. That includes relaxation captain’s chairs with footrests, 100-watt USB-C charging that’s powerful enough to juice up a MacBook Pro with power to spare, a UV-disinfecting box, and a powered third row that doesn’t just recline but can also move forward if you need to make a little cargo room, or back if you need extra space. It feels like something Genesis would make, and if you’ve sat in any of those interiors lately, you know that’s a serious compliment.
The bad: I need more power
Adding size and weight (the Calligraphy weighs about 400 pounds more than the old one), and taking power away isn’t a recipe for good performance. That’s why the 0-60 mph time has ballooned from 7.6 seconds to 8.8 seconds, which was disappointing. Around town, the Palisade doesn’t feel too lethargic; it’s when you’re trying to get on the highway on an uphill on-ramp or trying to pass that it feels a step slow. The transmission is also very eager to go up in the gears to help the fuel economy, though that also isn’t good at 20 mpg combined, and as a result, it’s also not responsive enough to throttle inputs at times.
We really liked the comfortable suspension tuning and how quiet the cabin is on the road, but what’s under the hood is underwhelming. Thankfully, there’s a hybrid version coming that makes more horsepower and should be significantly more efficient. And if it can deliver on that front, I’m scared of the type of ratings score it could put up.
Why you’d buy one: To show off
The new Palisade doesn’t look like any other Hyundai, or any other SUV on the road, really. Its vertically stacked daytime running lights and curved interior trim give it presence on the outside and character on the inside. It used to be that the Kia Telluride was the better-looking of these cousins. But now? Advantage: Hyundai. And it’s your move, Kia, because we know a new Telluride is on the way soon. And when we can get those two to go against each other, it’ll be a great day. Because, unlike this domination, that will be a real battle.
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