BMW iX3 SUV - Reliability & safety

​​BMW is a top player when it comes to safety technology, with plenty of know-how around keeping occupants safe on the move. Yet, despite a great reputation for engineering, BMW failed to impress owners in our recent survey. This might come as a surprise given the esteem around the badge but buyers paying a premium also have high expectations.

BMW iX3 reliability

Its models might feature regularly at the top of buyers' wish lists but owners’ responses put BMW into 21st place out of 29 manufacturers in our 2021 Driver Power survey. While unimpressive, this is at least a six-place improvement on 2020's results. The BMW X3 on which the iX3 is based came 61st out of the top 75 cars, but its poor score for running costs should be addressed by the electric model. Just under 20% of BMW owners reported a fault in the first year.

12

Safety

The BMW X3 has already obtained a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and while this isn't directly transferable to the iX3, we would be surprised if the electric SUV performed significantly worse. Standard safety equipment includes BMW's Driving Assistant Professional, with a number of features designed to help avoid collisions, particularly on the motorway. You also get Parking Assistant to help take the stress out of manoeuvring and a clear Live Cockpit Professional instrument cluster that flags up vital safety information as you drive. The M Sport Pro trim also comes with a head-up display, helping to convey vital information such as speed and navigation instructions without the driver taking their eyes off the road.