BMW iX3 Named 2026 World Car of the Year, Sets Record Real‑World Range

The BMW iX3 was crowned World Car of the Year 2026 and World Electric Vehicle at the World Car Awards, a decision made by a panel of 98 journalists from 33 nations. It is the first model built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform to earn the top prize and is scheduled for launch in Brazil in 2026. The electric SUV boasts an official WLTP range of up to 805 km, an 800‑volt architecture that supports 400 kW fast charging, 469 hp and 645 Nm of torque, and a new panoramic iDrive cockpit.

In a separate real‑world summer test conducted in Norway, the iX3 covered 781 km on a single charge, surpassing its WLTP claim of 770 km by 11 km and delivering the longest verified distance among the models tested. The Xpeng X9 achieved the greatest deviation above its WLTP rating, exceeding it by 11.4%, while other models performed closer to or below their official figures.