BMW iX3 vs Volvo EX60: battle of the 500-mile electric cars

The new BMW iX3 is one of the best electric cars I’ve ever driven. It’s so impressive that it’s won multiple awards since its launch late last year, including the coveted Carwow Tech Trailblazer award.

One of this car’s main selling points is its 500-mile range – it was the first car in the UK to go that far on a charge. However, in January Volvo launched a new car which will go even further.

So should you buy a BMW iX3, or wait a bit longer for the new Volvo EX60? I’m going to compare them to help you choose which is best for you.

BMW iX3 vs Volvo EX60 electric range: more than meets the eye

Range is the main talking point for these two cars, because they are the only two models on sale in the UK which can travel 500 on one charge. Well, on paper at least.

The BMW iX3 will do up to 500 miles between charges, according to official tests, thanks to its massive 108kWh battery.

When I drove the iX3 last year, I took it on a 155-mile route taking in a range of motorways, towns and country roads. My car also had the larger 21-inch alloy wheels, which drops the claimed range to 470 miles.

It averaged 3.3 miles per kWh on that drive, which works out to 356 miles of real-world range or 76% of the claimed figure. I’d expect a car on the 20-inch wheels to be a bit more efficient, but even if it could get 80% of the claimed range that would work out to 400 miles.

As for the Volvo EX60, it has a claimed range of up to 503 miles from the largest 112kWh battery. We’ve not driven the EX60 yet, so we can’t give a real-world range just yet. In my experience running a Volvo EX30 for six months, that car managed about 75-80% of its claimed range. If the EX60 is in the same ballpark then it should go about as far as BMW, but that is very much an educated guess.

BMW iX3 vs Volvo EX60 prices: where things get complicated

So these cars are pretty evenly matched in terms of range, but price is a different story.

Both the iX3 and the EX60 start from just under £60,000, but the BMW gets the full 500 miles of range as standard whereas the basic EX60 will only do 385 miles. If you want the larger battery model which matches the iX3, you’ll have to pay an extra £8,000.

So if you really need that headline-grabbing 500-mile range, the BMW is a much less expensive way to get it.

BMW iX3 vs Volvo EX60 interior and technology: totally different vibes

These two cars take very different approaches to interior design – let’s start with the BMW.

It’s much more tech-heavy than the Volvo, and it all looks seriously impressive. The highlight is the “Panoramic Vision Display”, which is basically a massive screen projected onto a strip along the entire base of the windscreen.

It keeps all of your vital driver information right in your line of sight, so you never have to take your eyes off the road. It looks very cool although I did feel like BMW ran out of things to put on it when I saw my altitude above sea level on the passenger side.

You also get a large central touchscreen which is oddly tilted to one side. BMW says this is to make it easier for the driver to reach, but I reckon it’s just to make it look a bit different. Either way, it’s quick to respond and packed with features, but some of the menus are a bit confusing.

I also found that these two screens, paired with the optional head-up display, made it hard for me to know where to look. It becomes a bit overwhelming at times, which is where the Volvo comes in.

Whereas the BMW is a tech fest, the Volvo’s interior has a more relaxing vibe to it. The light materials and wood trim make it look a bit like a cozy Scandinavian cabin, and it feels a bit more airy inside as well.

 

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Tommy from our social media team has poked around the EX60’s cabin, and he was impressed with how easy the screen was to use and the quality of the cabin materials. Both cars feel about as posh inside as each other, so choosing between them really comes down to what sort of vibe you’re looking for.

BMW iX3 vs Volvo EX60 design: Striking vs Scandi Chic

Like the interiors, these cars share nothing in common in terms of design.

The design of any new BMW is going to get people talking, and the iX3 is no exception. When I first saw the car I was not convinced by the narrow kidney grilles and huge black plastic panel across the front.

But having seen the car in person, it’s really grown on me. I like the muscular wheel arches and chunky rear lights – it has real road presence. In true BMW fashion, it just takes a bit of getting used to.

On the other hand, Volvo just has a knack for making cars look effortlessly cool. The EX60’s low sloping bonnet and Thor’s Hammer headlights make it look classy, and I like the new tail lamps as well. Whereas the BMW iX3 is trying really hard to stand out, the Volvo manages to look great in a much more nonchalant way.

BMW iX3 vs Volvo EX60 verdict: which should you buy?

It’s a bit early to give a definitive answer to this question as we’ve not driven the Volvo yet, but on first impressions it looks like it could be well worth considering before buying the BMW.

If you really want 500 miles of range, the BMW is a less expensive way to get it. The Volvo will also have its work cut out to drive as well as the iX3 does, because that car is hugely impressive with its agile handling and sublime suspension.

I’m going to lean towards the BMW iX3 for now, but stay tuned for a full verdict once we’ve got behind the wheel of the Volvo.

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