Can the BMW iX3 bury the Tesla Model Y?
This page is translated from the original post "La BMW iX3 peut-elle enterrer le Tesla Model Y ?" in French.
- 05/08/2025 12:01
A centenary manufacturer, BMW has never been afraid to start from scratch. Sometimes for the worse, but very often for the better!
In 2001, the Series 7 designed by the highly controversial Chris Bangle shook up the aesthetic and technological codes of BMW. A period of great turbulence for the German brand, but ultimately the beginning of a prosperous era. In 2026, it will be the new iX3’s turn to mark a historic break. As the first model of the Neue Klasse range, this 100% electric SUV is set to be a strong and direct answer to Tesla’s best-seller, the Model Y.
On paper, the duel promises to be intense. The BMW iX3 relies on an 800-volt architecture and brand-new cylindrical battery packs, potentially offering up to 130 kWh. This should promise up to 800 km of WLTP range. That’s better than most versions of the Model Y, except for the higher-end models. But above all, it boasts ultra-fast charging with about 320 km recovered in 10 minutes on a 400 kW charger. This could render Superchargers obsolete… assuming this type of charging station becomes widespread in Europe.
The BMW Prestige Card
But the iX3 doesn’t just play the technical card. BMW is rethinking everything: a more angular design, a clean interior, a panoramic head-up display spanning the entire width of the windshield, and an interface designed for driving but also for drivers accustomed to BMW. The “Superbrain,” a centralized liquid-cooled computer, manages braking, traction, and dynamic behavior in real-time. The result is that the iX3 is livelier, more agile, and above all, more BMW than ever.
Facing it is the Tesla Model Y, starting at €45,990 in France, which remains an indispensable reference. However, its design evolves little, its interface may confuse some drivers, and its interior materials struggle to convince fans of European refinement. Where Tesla focuses on efficiency, BMW adds driving pleasure, chassis balance, and true attention to ergonomics.
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Is this enough to dethrone the king? It will depend on the price, estimated in Europe to be around €60,000 to €65,000 for the base version, the reality of the charging infrastructure, and BMW’s ability to deliver on its promises in production. More expensive but better equipped, the BMW iX3 does not aim for the throne of the Model Y Propulsion, but targets the higher versions of the American SUV. A battle in high spheres, but one thing is certain with this iX3, BMW is not copying Tesla… it is confronting it in its own way, with technology, performance, and elegance.
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