2022 BMW IX3 vs 2023 Genesis GV60

What's the difference?

Close to a decade ago BMW took a swan dive into the fully-electric car pool, with the i3, a compact, lightweight hatch, that although long gone from the Aussie market, remains in production. It features an exotic carbon passenger cell, and is pitched at a niche, city-dwelling audience. 

The decision makers in Munich have decided to draw the curtain on it in mid-2022, because they’re moving from the EV springboard to the high tower.  

Yep, BMW says it will be offering around 12 fully electric models worldwide by 2023, with several arriving here soon. And this is the first zero tailpipe emissions BMW X SUV model to arrive in Australia, the mid-size iX3.

Like its X3 siblings it lines up against traditional European SUV rivals, only this time there’s an electric motor rather than a combustion engine under the bonnet. Think Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, and Mercedes-Benz EQC. 

If someone came to you and said, “Hey, want to drop $100,000 on this new car? It looks a bit weird, it’s from a brand you’ve probably never heard of, and by the way, it’s fully electric”, I’d understand if you had a hard time coughing up the cash.

And this is essentially the ask with the Genesis GV60. Unlike BMW, Mercedes, or even Lexus, this luxury Korean brand has very little time in-market, and in Australia at least, no rich history to draw upon to lure buyers in.

If the electric era has taught us anything, though, it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for new names to get their foot in the door. So, is Genesis putting its best foot forward? Let’s find out.