Macan EV vs BMW iX3

[Pootz]

I think this might be my first post here. My wife and I are likely going to transition from our current Macan GTS to an elective SUV. Macan is certainly on our list but having just heard some of the news about the iX3, I must say I am intrigued with the new battery tech, efficiency, and range being promoted.

Exterior style-wise, I'm liking what I see. Interior styling has some hits and misses. Would like to see a gauge cluster but the information bar at the bottom of the windshield has potential. I continue to dislike stuck on, iPad like screens in the middle. The steering wheel shown in the releases thus far looks terrible but it sounds like there will be a more traditional option.

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[refazi]

The iX3 is defiantly a more modern EV tech then the Macan EV and even the Cayenne.
BMW is the first german oem that will put on sale this next generation ultra efficient EVs in the market which i guess will come to Macan as a .2 or will be planned for the Cayman/Boxster ev platform or a J2 Taycan.
the Cayenne EV is not exactly there yet.

 

[Yves]

Tech-wise, the BMW is definitely ahead, driving-wise with air suspension and rear-wheel steering, and the ratio the Porsche has been set up will make it way more fun to drive. Also, the stupid decision to glue a skewed iPad on the dash makes the BMW a horrible aesthetic car from the inside; that is pure objectively a fact, not even open for discussion I really wanted to upgrade the iX to the iX3, but it would be a downgrade on so many levels … even contemplating upgrading to the iXM60 from a 50 …

Look, range and charging speed are one thing, but in the end, I just used ABRP to simulate a 1000km road trip, between old iX and new Zeekr 7X, one of the fastest charging cars that has just one version in ABRP (new G9 not available yet in ABRP).
On that trip, the Zeekr is 15 minutes faster, and then you should hope the charging station can deliver that power and the iX can charge at full speed at Tesla chargers, giving it more options… (in reality, the time difference is zero as we stop for breakfast and lunch … )

So if I were in your position, I would go for the Macan 100% of the time …

 

[CHP]

Tech-wise, the BMW is definitely ahead, driving-wise with air suspension and rear-wheel steering, and the ratio the Porsche has been set up will make it way more fun to drive. Also, the stupid decision to glue a skewed iPad on the dash makes the BMW a horrible aesthetic car from the inside; that is pure objectively a fact, not even open for discussion I really wanted to upgrade the iX to the iX3, but it would be a downgrade on so many levels … even contemplating upgrading to the iXM60 from a 50 …

Look, range and charging speed are one thing, but in the end, I just used ABRP to simulate a 1000km road trip, between old iX and new Zeekr 7X, one of the fastest charging cars that has just one version in ABRP (new G9 not available yet in ABRP).
On that trip, the Zeekr is 15 minutes faster, and then you should hope the charging station can deliver that power and the iX can charge at full speed at Tesla chargers, giving it more options… (in reality, the time difference is zero as we stop for breakfast and lunch … )

So if I were in your position, I would go for the Macan 100% of the time …

I totally agree with above. WLTP difference between Macan 4 and iX3 is impressive on paper, 379 vs 500 miles. In daily use it won't matter and for long distance travel, range get's complicated. On ideal road traffic conditions I used 38kWh per 100 miles (70% battery discharge). Unless you can reach your destination with charger, most of us will only use 80-90% of the battery on there first stint to be on the safe side (some available supercharger may be still under construction, not working or blocked by ICE cars). This would relate to 225 miles for Macan vs 258 for iX3 (theoretically) at 90% battery. On the way back with some traffic, 267 vs 306 miles. If highway range is important to you, you may want to look at "eye-candy" EVs like Mercedes EQS (drag coefficient EQS 0.2 vs Macan 0.25 vs iX3 0.24). Just wonder what is the consumption for Autobahn. I only drove once to germany with heavy congestion so could push 4S only for a minute. It's so much fun and you barely notice it. It would take a lot of self restrain to keep car at modest speed of 200 kmh (nearly every new ICE car can do it).

 

[sor]

iX3 has a bigger battery, that’s the primary reason it will go farther. We will have to see it get out into dozens of independent testers to know if it also uses the energy better than its predecessors. I hope it would.

I haven’t been able to drive an iX3 of course, but I just got out of the iX M60 and I’m a bit worn out on the sci-fi interior aesthetics they’re leaning into, and the iX really did not handle well. I mean, maybe it’s better than most pudgy SUVs/crossovers but that’s not saying much. I’m reserving judgment on iX3 handling but they probably need an M version.

I know it means nothing comparing to the iX since the iX3 is a completely new platform, but it’s a starting point for BMWs capabilities until we have the iX3 available.

Software wise I like the Macan better, but it could use a bigger screen. I don’t recall any meaningful bugs with either but the Macan’s is snappier and a bit more straightforward with the navigation. Mostly about preference.

I would have given the iX3 a hard look but I knew it wouldn’t be shipping for 9-12 months and even then won’t be available in an M trim that has any hope of driving as nicely as the Macan, that’s probably the year after, so I just leased the Porsche instead.

 

[Stuart]

I went to a launch event of the IX3 last week, all I can say is very disappointed, I have been a BMW owner for over 25 years, so this is not coming from a bias. The materials are very poor, door handles feel like they will come off in your hand, plastic feels very cheap, leather was of poor quality. The big kidney grill that light up are mode from plastic that feels more at home in your fridge. Those wheel arches look terrible and speaker cloth on the dashboard. I can only say that whoever bought this car of spec without seeing it will be very disappointed when it arrives.

 

[sor]

Not super surprising, the body build is much like the iX (wheel arches, the woven fabric attempting to look modern and eco friendly, for example) and it is a 3 series so it isn't going to get quite the luxury treatment that an iX5 or 7 might. The X3 has always been a bit basic, offering only Vernasca leather for example.

 

[CHP]

I went to a launch event of the IX3 last week, all I can say is very disappointed, I have been a BMW owner for over 25 years, so this is not coming from a bias. The materials are very poor, door handles feel like they will come off in your hand, plastic feels very cheap, leather was of poor quality. The big kidney grill that light up are mode from plastic that feels more at home in your fridge. Those wheel arches look terrible and speaker cloth on the dashboard. I can only say that whoever bought this car of spec without seeing it will be very disappointed when it arrives.

Thanks for sharing. Images look actually better than those on BMW website. Well done. I think poor materials in EVs are a general trend to save money and weight. EQS SUV, EX90 and iX may be the exception but we will know once Cayenne arrives. I had the same impression watching review of new GLC, very nice on website but looking slightly cheep on car review. Roof handles in Macan feel cheep too, will replace them with Racetex sunglasses holders to match Racetex interior as posted on this forum. I personally spent a lot of money on full letter, Racetex and leather centre console to be more inline with Panamera or Taycan.

I had a loaner with partial leather in chalk. I get it why some prefer it over full leather with lower doors in chalk as well but I didn't appreciate the overall feeling of materials. My youngest loved the bright colour though as it makes the car interior so much more spacious. On a recent road trip to Cumbria with two younger kids, plenty of rain, wet cloth and dark blue jeans, the seats looked like new on return. Utterly surprised.

 

[Stuart]

compared to my current gen 3 series there is no comparison in the quality of materials used, honestly the iX3 is poor!

 

[Fluff]

looks like the same screen as the IX, I found it a horrible system, to change temp took 3 presses. Macan with real buttons is much better.

 

[Stuart]

looks like the same screen as the IX, I found it a horrible system, to change temp took 3 presses. Macan with real buttons is much better.

To change temp, huh, not only that but even the direction of airflow from the vents is via the screen. Sorry give me the control on the vent simple, having to go in to the AC controller to that is ridiculous..

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