BMW is preparing to significantly expand its iX3 electric SUV range in Australia, with the line-up expected to grow within the next year to 18 months. A new entry-level version featuring rear-wheel drive is set to join the catalogue, offering buyers a more affordable path into BMW’s mid-size electric SUV segment. The next-generation iX3, which will compete directly with models such as the Audi Q6 e-tron, is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms around the middle of 2026. The first variant to launch locally will be the dual-motor iX3 50 xDrive, which is expected to impress with a driving range of approximately 805 kilometres and an output of around 345kW. Pricing is projected to begin at roughly $120,000 before on-road costs. For reference, BMW currently prices the smaller iX1 xDrive30 at $86,800, while the larger iX xDrive45 starts from $142,900, making the new iX3 50 xDrive a middle-ground option in the brand’s electric SUV hierarchy.
Following the arrival of the 50 xDrive, a more accessible version—likely to be marketed as the iX3 40—has also been confirmed. While BMW has not yet released specific technical details about this entry-grade model, information shared by a well-known BMW insider with a history of accurate leaks, forum user “ynguldyn” from BimmerPost, suggests that the iX3 40 is expected to enter production for European markets in July 2026. This variant will reportedly adopt a smaller battery pack than the 50 xDrive’s 108.5kWh usable unit and will be powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor instead of the dual-motor configuration used in the higher-grade model. This setup indicates that the iX3 40 will offer less power, but also a lower entry price.
The cost of the iX3 40 is anticipated to fall closer to the $110,000 range, bringing it in line with competitors such as the base Audi Q6 e-tron, which begins at $99,900 before on-road fees. BMW has achieved strong local sales with electric models priced beneath Australia’s Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold; however, it appears unlikely that the future base-model iX3 will fall under that limit unless the LCT ceiling rises significantly from its current level of $91,387.
In addition to the entry and mid-tier models, BMW is also preparing high-performance versions of the new iX3. According to the same insider, an M60 xDrive performance variant is planned to enter production in July 2026, promising considerably more power and sport-focused tuning. Even more notably, a next-generation X3 M—this time powered purely by electricity rather than BMW’s well-known inline-six petrol engine—is scheduled to begin production in November 2027, marking a major step toward BMW’s transition into performance-oriented EVs.