[Auto] BMW iX3 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Volvo XC40 Recharge: 2021 group test review

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If the automotive world worked logically, it’d be all the small cars becoming electric first. These types of vehicles are frequently driven on short trips in more densely po[CENSORED]ted areas; their lack of tailpipe emissions would offer the most benefit to public health.
Practically speaking, though, things are different. EV batteries are big and heavy, so you need space for a decent range, and it makes sense to store them under the floor, so a jacked-up ride height is handy to package them.  Throw in buyers’ tastes, and it’s no surprise that SUVs and crossovers dominate the electric landscape so far. One of the latest arrivals is the BMW iX3. It spearheads a rapidly expanding EV range from the firm, and it will be followed by the i4 saloon and iX SUV. It’ll have its work cut out here though. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is our reigning Car of the Year. It has already blown away more mainstream rivals, so now it’s time to find out if it can go toe-to-toe with some premium competition. Volvo’s range might be smaller than its rivals here, but its electric ambitions are every bit as great. All new Volvos since 2019 have featured some form of electrification, and the firm’s entire line-up will be full EV by 2030. The XC40 Recharge is the first to appear – but can it keep up with the competition 

 

 

The iX3 Premier Edition Pro tested here is priced at £60,945. However, this is a pre-facelift model, which existed only briefly. Order an iX3 today and you’ll receive a facelifted car with slightly tweaked styling; the trims available are M Sport and M Sport Pro, which cost £59,730 and £62,730 respectively BMW slightly mistimed the arrival of the iX3 in the UK, because it went on sale just before a range-wide update. As a result, the car you see here, a pre-facelift model, has almost instantly been replaced with a version that benefits from minor cosmetic upgrades outside (slimmer headlights, revised tail-light graphics and new bumpers) plus a few other minor tweaks. While we can take all that into account in the final reckoning here, what matters most is that mechanically, the pre-and post-facelift models are identical, and the iX3 benefits from the brand’s fifth generation of electrical drive systems. BMW claims that it’s up to 30 per cent more power-dense than previous systems, with a more compact battery for the capacity and a more efficient motor, which is now in a combined housing with the transmission and power electronics. The single motor here drives the rear wheels, with the iX3 sitting between its two rivals when it comes to output – 282bhp and 400Nm is more than enough for a family SUV, even one that weighs 2,208kg. 

 

 

Step inside and as with the standard X3, few rivals can touch this electric version for build quality. Everything feels incredibly solid, and the materials are a cut above its rivals here – neither of which feels particularly cheap. The driving position offers a huge range of adjustment, and a panoramic sunroof makes the space feel more open.

Link: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x3/356283/bmw-ix3-vs-ioniq-5-vs-volvo-xc40-recharge