If your idea of the perfect new car involves cutting-edge tech, serious range and a badge that still turns heads, the industry’s biggest judges think they’ve found your answer.
The brand-new BMW iX3 has just been crowned What Car? Car of the Year 2026, beating off stiff competition in one of the toughest markets around.
At the annual awards night – often dubbed the “Motoring Oscars” – the second-generation iX3 walked away with the top prize, confirming BMW’s latest electric push is hitting all the right notes.
Why the iX3 Won the Big Prize
According to the judges, this isn’t just a good electric SUV – it’s a leap forward.
The panel praised the iX3 for delivering what many rivals promise but few fully achieve: long-distance capability, rapid charging and a genuinely enjoyable drive, all wrapped in a premium package.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford summed it up neatly, describing the iX3 as “a truly great car” that raises the bar in a fiercely competitive segment.
High praise, especially given the sheer number of electric SUVs now fighting for attention.
A Familiar Win for BMW and Electric Cars
This latest triumph adds another chapter to BMW’s awards history.
It’s the fourth time the German marque has taken the overall What Car? crown since the awards began in 1978, following earlier wins for the 7 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series.
It also underlines how far electric cars have come.
The iX3 becomes the fifth fully electric model to be named Car of the Year by What Car?, a sign that EVs are no longer niche trailblazers but mainstream benchmarks.
Big Range, Faster Charging, Fewer Compromises
Built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the new iX3 doesn’t carry over compromises from petrol or diesel models.
Its 108.7kWh battery delivers up to 500 miles of range on a single charge, putting it right at the sharp end of the EV market.
Charging is just as impressive. With ultra-rapid charging speeds of up to 400kW, drivers can add around 215 miles of range in just 10 minutes – the kind of convenience that makes long journeys far less daunting.
How It Stacks Up Against Rivals
Even with those figures, competition is fierce.
Volvo’s newly revealed EX60 edges ahead on paper with a claimed 503-mile range, unveiled just before the awards ceremony.
But range alone didn’t win BMW the title.
Judges highlighted the iX3’s balance: strong efficiency, refined comfort, sharp driving dynamics and software that genuinely improves the experience rather than complicating it.
Price Tag and Variants Explained
The iX3 doesn’t come cheap, but it sits where you’d expect for a premium electric SUV.
Prices start at £58,755 for the entry-level model, rising to £62,755 for the M Sport Pro version before optional extras.
The iX3 50 xDrive M Sport also scooped up the Premium Electric SUV award on the night, contributing to BMW’s haul of five trophies overall.
Inside BMW’s Neue Klasse Vision
This iX3 is the first real taste of BMW’s Neue Klasse project – its next generation of intelligent, driver-focused electric cars.
It replaces the original iX3 launched in 2020, but almost nothing carries over.
There’s a new chassis, new EV architecture, fresh software and a redesigned drivetrain.
Even the brains of the car have been rethought, with four high-speed computers managing everything from infotainment to safety systems.
The one handling the driving dynamics has been dubbed the “heart of joy”.
Design, Space and Everyday Practicality
Styling is clean and minimalist, with proportions similar to the X3 but tailored specifically for electric life.
At around 4.8 metres long and over 1.6 metres tall, it’s firmly in family SUV territory.
Inside, sustainability meets practicality.
A wraparound cockpit, slim front seats and a sofa-like rear bench create an airy feel, while storage hasn’t been sacrificed for tech.
There’s a 520-litre boot, plus a 58-litre frunk under the bonnet for cables or smaller items.
Performance Without the Drama
Despite its size, the iX3 doesn’t hang about. With 469bhp on tap, the iX3 50 xDrive hits 62mph in 4.9 seconds.
Efficiency figures of 3.8 to 4.1 miles per kWh mean strong performance doesn’t come at the expense of sensible running.
A Busy Awards Season for Electric Cars
BMW’s success comes just days after Mercedes claimed the 2026 European Car of the Year title with its own headline-grabbing EV.
That award was decided by 59 motoring journalists from 23 European countries, with Skoda and Kia also in the running.
It’s another reminder that the electric race is moving fast – and traditional manufacturers are very much in the fight.
Full List of What Car? Award Winners for 2026
The iX3 may have taken the top prize, but plenty of other models walked away with silverware across different categories, from small cars to luxury flagships and family favourites.
From Toyota’s Aygo X Hybrid to the Porsche 911 Carrera T, the winners reflect just how broad the modern car market has become – electric, hybrid and combustion all sharing the stage.
Looking Back: When What Car? Got It Right… and Wrong
With awards stretching back to 1978, What Car?’s track record is surprisingly strong.
Many past winners – like the Ford Fiesta, BMW 3 Series and Volvo XC40 – went on to become benchmarks in their classes.
Others, however, haven’t aged quite so gracefully.
Reliability issues, weak sales or changing buyer tastes have seen once-celebrated models quietly fade from favour.
That’s the risk with predicting automotive greatness in real time.
So, Is the iX3 a Safe Bet?
Only time will tell if the new BMW iX3 joins the long list of enduring hits.
On paper – and according to the judges – it has all the ingredients: range, performance, usability and that hard-to-define sense of polish.
For now, though, one thing is clear.
In 2026, if you’re shopping for a no-compromise electric SUV, BMW’s latest iX3 is the one everyone else is chasing.
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