BMW IX3 vs Cadillac Optiq
What's the difference?

BMW IX3

$89,900 - $109,900

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Cadillac Optiq

$80,000 - $80,000

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Volkswagen Transporter

Volvo Es90

Volvo XC90

Summary

2026 BMW IX3

2026 Cadillac Optiq

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Electromagnetically Excited

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Vehicle type

Battery Electric

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Electric range

805 km

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Energy consumption

18.8 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

108.70 kWh

Seating

—

Likes

Ridiculous range in its most efficient settings
Properly fun in its sportiest settings
Tech that feels futuristic but somehow familiar

Sharp pricing in premium land
Punchy dual-motor powertrain
Considered and comfortable cabin

Dislikes

Light-touch steering takes some getting used to
Feels heavy on some roads
The native operating system can be clunky and confusing

Ride can feel brittle on harsh road surfaces
Slow DC charge rate
Five-year warranty feels underdone these days

2026 BMW IX3 Summary

There are a lot of big numbers surrounding the BMW iX3, the German brand’s new-from-the-ground-up EV that acts as the flagbearer for its future-facing Neue Klasse (or New Class) architecture, designed to distil all the ingredients that make a BMW a BMW, and then electrify for them for the post-ICE (internal combustion engine) era.

But the one that really stood out? 805. That’s how many kilometres of driving range the iX3 will deliver, though admittedly in its most efficient and least exciting driving modes. That is bonkers, right?

It’s worth pointing out the first BMW i3, which only launched a decade-or-so ago, delivered more like 150km on what would have been the WLTP cycle, if it had existed then. Talk about leaps and bounds.

A good start for the newest BMW EV, then. But what else does the iX3 have to offer?

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2026 Cadillac Optiq Summary

The lonely Cadillac Lyriq finally has some company, with the iconic US brand tripling its range down under with the launch of the much bigger Vistiq (which we've already tested) and this entry-level Optiq, which Cadillac describes as the gateway to its electric family.

It's a medium all-electric SUV with plenty of equipment and – depending on whether you see it as an established premium player or another newcomer brand – pretty sharp pricing.

Cadillac says it has the German big three in its sights with the Optiq, so how does it stack up?

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Deep dive comparison

2026 BMW IX3 2026 Cadillac Optiq

Verdict

The thing that really grabs you from behind the wheel of a car like this is just how far EVs have come. The fact you can get a ridiculous range and have a really, really good time on the right twisting road is a pretty good deal and solidifies the fact EVs like this one are the future.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number of automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Verdict

A taste test, but so far so good for the Cadillac Optiq, which is already my favourite model in the Caddy range. More space than you think meets a lovely cabin experience and a punchy powertrain.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number of automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

BMW IX3 vs Cadillac Optiq What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW IX3 vs Cadillac Optiq
What's the difference?