A fully charged launch: The 2023 BMW iX3 enters the Philippine market with ₱4.59-M SRP

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp, the official importer, and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, has officially launched the new BMW iX3 electric vehicle (EV).

Coming at ₱4,590,000, it sits close enough to the soon-to-be-launched sub-4 million-peso Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 to make EV intenders think twice about their purchase. It is also sits close to the BMW X3 xDrive 20d M Sport offering.

This also marks the second fully electric BMW model to enter the Philippine market right after the BWW iX. 

The new iX3 blends electric mobility with driving pleasure and sporting ability - for which BMW is renowned. It also mixes comfort with the multi-faceted functionality and spaciousness of a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).

“We are proud to say that BMW in the Philippines now has a product that flawlessly combines the familiarity of BMW’s Sports Activity Vehicle DNA and the excellent capability of a fully electric motor. The iX3 is the perfect choice for customers who want to take their first step toward a truly sustainable driving experience,” said Spencer Yu, President of SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp.

Not your ordinary X3

From the outside, the BMW iX3 looks primarily the same as the regular BMW X3 it is based.

What makes it unique is the grille with blue surrounds and its specially designed aerodynamic 19-inch light-alloy wheels. 

It also comes with the “Inspiring” equipment lineup, which gives the vehicle a wide array of details, including the M aerodynamic Package, M High-gloss Shadow line, M roof rails, and Adaptive LED headlights. 

Aside from this, the iX3 also gets a port on the quarter panel for charging. 

A familiar cabin

The interior of the BMW iX3 is nearly identical to that of the standard X3 too. However, it comes with more emphasis on greener and more sustainable manufacturing.

The cabin is made of eco-friendly materials such as vegan leather, which BMW calls Sensatec. 

Also inside the vehicle are:

• M leather steering wheel
• M headliner anthracite
• Electrically adjustable seats with memory function on the driver’s side
• Fine-wood trim: ash trunk wood open-pored with highlight trim finished in pearl chrome
• A panoramic glass sunroof
• Acoustic glazing for the front door windows
• Ambient lighting
• Three-zone automatic climate control system
• Automatic tailgate
• BMW Comfort Access System

It also gets BMW's Live Cockpit Professional, which gives it two 12.-3-inch displays inside the cabin.  One acts as the digital instrument cluster, while the other acts as the infotainment, which uses the IDrive Operating system 7.0. 

Wireless smartphone integration is standard with the iX3 as it gets access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of its standard equipment. 

The electric SAV gets a hi-fi loudspeaker system from Harman Kardon for its sound system. 

Performance and range

As for its electric powertrain, the BMW iX3 gets an electric motor mounted in its rear that is good for 290 PS and 400 Nm of torque. 

The powerful electric motor lets the vehicle sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds with a top speed that is electronically limited to 180 km/h.

The BMW iX3 can offer up to 460 kilometers worth of range from a single full charge.

Safety is still a top priority

BMW continues to lead in automobile safety by successfully integrating several features into the iX3 M Sport to ensure the buyer’s peace of mind.

It has high the following systems available:

• High Beam Assistant
• Parking Assistant
• Cruise Control with braking function
• Acoustic Protection for pedestrians
• Active Protection
• Plus Parking Distance Control with front and rear sensors
• Tire pressure monitoring system. 

Pricing and warranty

The BMW iX3 M Sport retails for ₱4,590,000 and comes with a Wallbox that BMW i-partners will install in the customer’s home. It also comes with a 5-year BMW factory warranty, an 8-year high-voltage battery warranty, and a 6-year BMW service-inclusive warranty. 

The BMW iX3 is now available at authorized BMW i-retailers RSA Motors Libis and RSA motors Greenhills. 

Was the iX3 worth the wait, or is the X3 20d XDrive still a top contender in this segment?