2022 BMW IX3 vs 2020 Renault Master

What's the difference?

Much of the time behind the wheel of the iX3 I forgot it was electric. Which says as much about the refinement of current combustion engined cars as it does about the progress of EVs. But it demonstrates how easy it is to live with a zero emissions vehicle, particularly one of this calibre.

The iX3 represents good value in the premium mid-size SUV segment. And not just against other EVs. It’s quick, comfortable, practical, and recharging is getting easier by the day. I enjoyed driving it. In fact, a lot more than I thought I would.

If you’re after a budget-conscious offering in the large van segment, the Renault Master could be a really solid proposition. It falls short of the safety expectations set by its newer rival, though, and that’s something you might not be able to put a price on.

The most noteworthy thing about this car’s exterior design is how much it looks like any other BMW X3. No dramatic Hyundai Ioniq 5-style departure from the norm here. You have to have reasonably sharp eyes to spot the details that stand this car apart from its combustion-powered siblings.

For example, the signature kidney grille, with contrasting inserts, remains in place. Yes, it features active air vents, but really it’s more a single-piece branding decoration rather than a functional element. 

At first glance the 20-inch rims look much like other styles in the BMW catalogue. But closer inspection reveals large, close to flat and closed in surfaces to help aerodynamic performance. 

No small contributor to the car’s drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.29, an outstanding number for an SUV, or any car for that matter. 

Although sci-fi three-dimensional, the tail-light treatment is the same as other X3s and even the broad apertures at each lower rear corner look ready to accept exhaust outlets, which of course, they don’t. The entire rear diffuser panel is part of smoothing the exit of underbody airflow.

The interior look and feel is straight out of the current BMW design playbook, with blue highlights here and there to signify the car’s ‘i’ electric identity.

Classy, yet functional with the big digital screens for instrumentation and multimedia also dialing up the tech factor.

The leather trimmed seats feel as good as they look, the ‘Vernasca’ hide available in a choice of three colours, with different interior trim elements on offer as well. 

It feels premium and driver-focused. The alignment, the stitching... A close attention to detail in the cabin’s design and execution is apparent.

The front-end styling of the Master has been modernised with a “robust” new look which sees it adopt a more upright nose with a bulkier grille, squared-off headlights (with LED daytime running lights as standard, along with halogen headlights).

There were no other changes made to the exterior, so if you see it side on or from the rear, you’d be hard pressed to tell if it's the new model.

This is the second facelift for this generation (X62) Master, which originated back in 2010. It is also offered in some markets as a Nissan, Opel, and Vauxhall. And this version certainly freshens up the appearance, though the practicality of the Master line-up remains unchanged.

That’s a good thing: you can still get the van as a short-wheelbase with low roof (L1H1), a mid-wheelbase with mid roof (L2H2), a long-wheelbase with mid roof (L3H2), or an extra-long-wheelbase with high roof (L4H3). There’s also the choice of a single cab-chassis Platform ute model, too. 

Our test model is the L2H2, meaning dimensions of 5575mm long on a lengthy 3682mm wheelbase (giving it a 13.6-metre turning circle), while the width is 2070mm and the height is 2499mm. Too tall for car parks (and drive-thru windows, in this age of social distancing). 

The good news about the height, though, is that it allows you excellent interior dimensions. The cargo hold of this version is 3083mm long, 1765mm wide (and 1380mm between the wheel-arches, enough for Aussie pallets to slide in easily), and the height is 1894mm inside. I’m six-foot tall (1820mm) and that meant I could safely step in and out of the cargo zone without fear of hitting my head. The load space is 10.8 cubic metres in this spec. 

As you’ll see in the interior section, the cabin has been given a bit of attention too - you can see it in the images below.

In terms of space, there’s plenty of head and shoulder room up front and lots of storage, including a pair of cupholders in the centre console, big door bins with a separate section for large bottles, a decent glove box, and a medium-size storage cubby which doubles as an armrest between the seats.

There’s a 12-volt outlet, wireless smartphone charging and a USB-A socket in the console, as well as a USB-C jack in the centre storage box. 

The big media screen is easy to use with logical screen progressions accessed via direct touch, a rotary dial on the console, the writing pad on top of it, as well as gesture control or ‘Hello BMW’ voice control.

Move to the back and again there’s heaps of space. Over successive generations the X3 has quietly crept up in size to match that of the original X5.

Getting in and out is easy thanks to wide opening doors with big apertures, and sitting behind the driver’s seat set for my 183cm position there’s good head and legroom.

Again, there are big door bins with room for large bottles, individual climate control is a win for back seaters, and there are two USB-C outlets to keep devices powered up. 

There are netted map pockets on the front seat backs, and a fold-down centre armrest contains a shallow flip-top compartment and a pair of fold-out cupholders, adjustable for different size cups, which is a thoughtful touch.

A relatively low loading height and no lip into the boot space makes life easy, and with the rear seat upright the iX3 has a capacity of 510L, enough to swallow our three-piece suitcase set, or the bulky CarsGuide pram with room to spare.

Lower the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, and load space increases to no less than 1560 litres. And as long as you have the key with you the tailgate’s hands-free open and close kick function is a welcome addition. 

Those volume figures are down only slightly on petrol and diesel powered X3s (550L/1600L).

Multiple tie-down anchor points, a 12-volt outlet, as well as pop-out hooks and netted pockets are handy, but don’t bother looking for a spare of any description, your only option is a repair/inflator kit.

A small lidded space under the boot floor is designed for the on-board charging cables, and the tyre inflator canister.

A missed opportunity appears to be the lack of storage space under the bonnet. The combined motor/transmission unit is relatively small and mounted low in the chassis.

Peel back the plastic cover over the ‘engine’ bay and there’s plenty of room for a ‘frunk.’ Seems like a no-brainer, but the bean counters, engineers or some other link in the development chain must have knocked it on the head.

Like all vans in this segment there are some cabin smarts that will make your life a lot easier if you spend a lot of time in the cockpit.

There are storage options aplenty, including overhead folder holders, a trio of dash-top storage caddies, dash-top cup holders, huge door pockets with bottle holders, some smaller storage cubbies near the shifter, and a glovebox that is, in the French tradition, good to hold a pair of gloves and not much else. This model had the dual passenger bench seat, with a hidden storage section underneath, and you can fold the middle seat down to form a desk platform with cup holders if that’s what you need.

Along with the storage smarts, the updated Master has seen some major changes in terms of infotainment intelligence, too. The new 7.0-inch MediaNav touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a welcome advancement for the brand, and during my time in the vehicle it proved simple to use and quick to react. The sound isn’t terrific, with just two speakers fitted, and I had to turn it up pretty loud to overcome the wind noise from this mid-roof model.

The driver’s seat is comfortable and offers decent adjustment, with height and lumbar adjustment. It’s easy to step up into the cab, too, despite there not being side grab handles. The driver also gets a new digital instrument display section on the redesigned dashboard, which includes a gear-shift indicator (but not a gear position indicator), and a digital speedometer and trip computer.

The steering wheel is new, too, and it’s much nicer than the old grainy plastic number in the pre-facelift version. Gone are the round vents across the dash and round plastic sections of the old model - now there are squared-off, more modern looking finishes that clearly aim to mimic the exterior’s now boxy-edged body.

In the cargo zone there are multiple tie-down hooks (eight on the floor, four on the side wall pillars), making for plenty of options to secure a load - though as can often be found with these eye-hook points, they can be a little too far inboard to make good use of, and in the Master’s case, there are no tie-down points rear of the wheel-arches. There is a 12-volt outlet in the back pillar, however.

The 2020 update for the Renault Master saw prices adjusted to compensate for additional standard equipment now offered range wide.

You can read the full pricing and specs breakdown story here, but the standard goodies for the Master include: a new 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with USB input, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sat nav and reversing camera display, a two-speaker sound system, rear parking sensors, 16-inch steel wheels with a full size spare fitted under the rear body, body-protective cladding, twin-view side mirrors with electric adjustment, electric windows, cruise control, air conditioning, remote central locking, halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, and rear fog lights. 

The list price for the L2H2 mid-wheelbase manual model used in this review is $47,490 plus on-road costs (RRP or MSRP), but Renault is advertising this exact spec for $47,990 drive-away, which is pretty compelling - you don’t even need to be an ABN holder for that discount. 

The Master MWB van comes as standard with barn doors at the rear (270-degree opening), and a sliding side door on kerb side (left), while SWB models get 180-degree barn doors. It also features a steel bulkhead as standard, as well as a three-seat layout up front. There’s a handy lift-up base on the bench part of the seat, which allows you about 100 litres of hidden storage if you need it.

There are numerous options for buyers to customise their van to suit what they need. There are several packs to choose from, such as: the Trade Pack - wooden floor, full height timber wall lining, rear step, LED ceiling lights ($1600); the Business Pack - front fog lights, hands-free key card and push-button start, chrome exterior and interior trim finishes ($1000); and the Convenience Pack - auto high/low beam lights, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and front parking sensors ($1000).

You can option individual elements such as a driver’s side sliding door ($800), a driver’s suspension seat ($800 - removes the side airbag for the driver), a single passenger seat ($200 - N/A with driver suspension seat, adds passenger-side airbag protection), and if you choose RWD model there’s an available differential lock ($1000). Last but not least, you can have glazed dual sliding doors for $800, but only if you also option the Trade Pack.

Colour options include no-cost solid paint finishes in white, grey, dark blue, light blue, yellow, orange and red (the interesting colours will need to be pre-ordered). There are also three metallic paint options in grey, black or a silver/blue look, and the cost there is $1000.

Under the bonnet is a ‘current-excited’ synchronous electric motor, single-speed auto transmission and the power electronics bundle placed together in a single housing.

Driving the rear wheels, the motor produces 210kW/400Nm, which is enough to propel the iX3 from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The ‘current-excited’ bit means the motor doesn’t make use of magnets to induce the rotor, rather the feeding in of electric power.

It spins up to a maximum of 17,000rpm, and BMW says the design means the use of rare earth elements (the mining of which is increasingly controversial environmentally) is avoided.

The power outputs and torque figures depend on the transmission you choose. 

Despite the fact that both manual and automatic versions of the Master run a 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, there’s a difference between the engines: the version with the six-speed manual transmission is a twin-turbo unit, while the six-speed automated manual transmission makes use of a single-turbo diesel.

There’s not much in it when it comes to the difference in outputs, however.

The manual version has a slight horsepower advantage, with 120kW of power (at 3500rpm) and 360Nm of torque (at 1500rpm).

The automated manual has a maximum power of 110kW (at 3500rpm) and 350Nm of torque (at 1500rpm).

Both transmissions are geared the same across all six ratios, though from experience, the automated manual is best left at the showroom. While rivals offer conventional torque converter automatic gearboxes to appeal to a broader customer base globally, the French brand persists with its pernickety somewhat-auto option instead.

The majority of models in the Master range are front-wheel drive (FWD), but there are a couple of long-wheelbase rear-wheel drive (RWD) models available. None are all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

You might be interested to note the weight specs for the Master range. There are too many variables to bore you with here, but the details on the L2H2 mid-wheelbase manual I tested, according to Renault Australia, are as follows: kerb weight - 1887kg; gross vehicle mass/GVM - 3510kg; payload - 1623kg; towing capacity - 750kg un-braked, 2500kg braked. The gross combination mass (GCM) is 6000kg.

Worst case charging scenario is a 1.8kW AC single-phase domestic connection which has you staring down the barrel of a 44-hour charge time.

But using the latest BMW three-phase wallbox, the car's AC maximum rate of 11kW equates to charge time from 0-100 per cent is 7.5 hours. While DC fast-charging at a rate of up to 150kW means 10-80 per cent charge in 32 minutes.

The ports behind the not-fuel flap are a Type 2 for AC and Type 2 CCS (Combined Charging System) Combo for higher powered DC charging. And the car comes with two cables covering domestic and public scenarios.

Worth noting the single recharge point is on the right-hand side. Our driver’s side, but kerb side for left-hand drive countries. No problem at a dedicated charging station. But if you’re street charging, a connector poking out on the traffic side of the car could be risky.

BMW claims energy consumption for the combined cycle of 18.9kWh/100km, and over a week of city, suburban and highway driving, mostly in the default Comfort mode (with A/C on) we recorded an average of 19.1kWh/100km.

Worth noting the car features a regenerative braking system feeding energy back into the battery, but this one’s adaptive, able to read what’s ahead and determine the appropriate intensity of the regen function.

But underneath all this is that complimentary five-year Chargefox membership. And for reference, the current Chargefox network includes 1400 plugs, mainly along the East Coast, Tassie, Adelaide and Perth with the intention of 5000 by the end of 2025.

That’s across standard AC (22kW), fast (50kW) and ultra-rapid (350kW) units, with all of the latter powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

There is no official combined fuel consumption claim figure stated by Renault, as the vehicle falls into the heavy commercial vehicle space. 

But I can tell you it’s pretty impressive for fuel economy. I saw an average of just 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres over more than 1000km of testing - more than half of which was with the van loaded up with hundreds of kilograms of load.

With a 100-litre diesel tank, you could theoretically get about 1150km to a fill, and that’s with a mix of loaded and unloaded driving. 

One thing, though: most vehicles have a graphic on their dashboard to show which side the filler neck is - you know, you see a fuel bowser and the filler is on the right, that means your vehicle’s filler is on the right. Not in the Master. It has a graphic with the filler on the right, but the actual fuel cap is on the left. And like most vans, you have to open the passenger door to fuel up.

Worried about AdBlue? No need - the engine used in the Master range is a Euro 5 unit, so there is a diesel particulate filter, but no urea after treatment setup to mention.

The notion of automotive tuning would normally lead you to the engine bay rather than the orchestra pit. But believe it or not, according to BMW, the simulated start/stop sound for this car has been designed by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and BMW sound designer Renzo Vitale. And every driving state is accompanied by a matching acoustic pattern, so keep your ears peeled.

Hans and Renzo’s work amounts to a brief (as in, half a second) triumphal burst as you hit the start button, and a similarly concise composition as you shut down.

At parking speeds, with the hum of the Acoustic Protection system in your ears, the overhead view, clear reversing camera and clean all around vision make parking the iX3 pretty straightforward.

The steering is light and the distance sensors front and rear aren’t too manic, only giving you a shout out when necessary.

Pick up the pace and the iX3 feels quick. Zero-100km/h in 6.8sec is rapid, but it’s the nature of the acceleration that changes the experience in pretty much any electric car.

In this case 400Nm of maximum torque is available from step-off and there's still solid pulling power at high revs, remembering the motor spins to 17,000rpm! Squeeze the accelerator at any speed and there’s plenty of urge available. 

The nature of current EV tech means you don’t have to worry about a dual-clutch or CVT. The single ratio auto transmission just picks up the motor’s output and smoothly feeds it to the rear wheels.

By definition an electric car will be quiet but this one is so hushed the mega Harman Kardon system has a clean sheet to work from.

Suspension is strut front / five-link rear with all the major elements made from aluminium and the adaptive set-up includes electronically-controlled dampers.

There are ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Eco Pro’ driving modes, with the switch from Comfort to Sport a pronounced one in terms of compliance and, well, comfort. But even in that softest setting, the ride is on the firm side. 

This car weighs a not insubstantial 2260kg, and with that big battery pack spread out under the floor its centre of gravity is around 7.5 centimetres lower than a conventionally powered X3.

The drive unit sits in a model-specific sub-frame, and while you sense that weight through corners the iX3 feels planted and composed.

It points nicely at speed, steering feel and weight are good, while the mixed Bridgestone Alenza rubber (245/45 fr / 275/45 rr) is quiet and grippy. Worth noting they’re premium SUV-focused tyres rather than specific, low-rolling resistance specials. 

The dash layout is classically driver-focused, with a clean and simple approach making for a relaxed drive. The front sports seats remain supportive and comfy over long stints behind the wheel.

Intensity of the ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ is automatically adapted, although you can select ‘High’, ‘Medium’ or ‘Low’ settings through the iDrive system.

More direct still is moving the gear shift over to the ‘B’ position which effectively generates a one-pedal mode. You barely have to touch the left-hand pedal at all, while you’re feeding energy back into the battery to boot.

I did a mix of driving in the Master over the week I had it, including more than 600km of unladen driving. 

Why so many kays? I used it to move house, which meant I completed two “full” trips between Sydney’s inner-west and Cowra in the Central West of NSW, and two “empty” trips back to Sydney, as well.

I’ll get to how it drove with a load on board in the section below, but the unladen experience was pretty positive.

The engine and transmission are well teamed, and there’s a good amount of usable torque and very little lag to speak of. 

As with this entire generation of engines - a derivative engine in a different state of tune is used in the Nissan Navara - the refinement is mostly good until you reach higher in the rev range, where it can get a bit noisy and clattery. But the best work is done down low in the rev zone anyway. 

The manual shift action isn’t what I’d call “slinky”, more “clicky”. But it’s easy to row between gears as the action is light and the clutch isn’t too heavy, either. The gearing is generous, meaning you can saunter in sixth gear around 70km/h without the engine labouring too hard, and it’ll accelerate from there to freeway pace - provided you’re not going uphill.

There is a bit of ratio management required if you encounter a steep incline, but generally it’s a decently strong powertrain for its intended use - more on that below.

I’m always astounded about the steering and ride characteristics of vans of this size. Yes, it’s large, and yes, it can get blown around a little by crosswinds, and yes, you need to factor in the longish-wheelbase and larger turning circle that results from that… but it drives a lot smaller than it is.

The steering is direct and accurate, easy to judge at high or low speeds - which is great news when you’re parking (and there’s a good quality reversing camera and rear parking sensors, but you’ve just gotta remember the roof height, too).

The ride is adequate without a load on board, too. The independent McPherson strut front suspension copes well with changes in surface and bump control, though it can be a little bouncy at times. The rear suspension is a leaf-spring torsion beam setup, and it can be a little clumsy over road joins when unladen. 

It also brakes well, with solid and trustworthy response from the four-wheel disc brakes at all speeds.

While there has been a safety revolution in the van segment in recent years led by Mercedes and VW, Renault has been left behind to a degree.

The Renault Master has never been put through NCAP or ANCAP crash testing. So there’s no safety star rating to speak of.

And it falls short of its chief rivals, as it doesn’t have any sort of auto emergency braking (AEB) or forward collision warning system at all. 

It has a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, plus dual front airbags and driver’s side airbag protection (not passenger though?), and there are no curtain airbags either. But it has electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brake force distribution, and hill start assist with Renault’s Grip X-tend system that is designed to allow better traction in slippery situations.

You can option some safety technology into the manual versions of the Master, by way of the Convenience Pack. For $1000 it adds auto high/low beam lights, lane departure warning (not active lane keeping assist), blind spot warning (not rear cross-traffic alert), and front parking sensors.

I understand the argument that buyers shouldn’t have to pay for anything they don’t need, especially when it comes to business vehicles. But I hope that behind closed doors Renault is working furiously to improve the safety equipment offering as a matter of priority.

The iX3 is covered by BMW’s three-year/unlimited km warranty (including paintwork), as well as 12-year/unlimited km anti-corrosion cover.

That main warranty’s off the premium market pace now with Audi, Genesis, Jaguar-Land Rover, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz at five years/unlimited km. 

The battery is warranted for eight years/160,000 kays, which is on par with Audi, Jag and Merc, but lagging behind Tesla at eight years/240,000km.

Service is condition-based, the car telling you when maintenance is required, and a range of service packages are available.

The ‘Basic’ plan covering an iX3 for four years/unlimited km comes in at $1200, appreciably less than for an equivalent combustion X3, as it should be for a car with far fewer moving parts.

A four year ‘Plus’ package adds brake pads and rotors as well as wiper blades, upping the price substantially to $4605. While six year/unlimited km Basic and Plus plans come in at $1650 and $5500, respectively.

The Renault van range is covered by a warranty plan that isn’t as good as you’ll get from VW or Ford. That is, the Master (and Trafic and Kangoo below it) have a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty cover, which is two years shorter than the best in the class.

Service intervals are business-friendly at 12 months/30,000km, with a capped-price service plan spanning the first three years/90,000km. The service price is $599 per visit, but keep in mind you will need to replace the coolant ($132) and brake fluid ($79) every 60,000km. There’s also an accessory belt replacement at 90,000km ($506).

If you service your van at Renault, you’ll also be eligible for up to four years of roadside assistance cover. From the showroom floor there is 12 months cover.

Concerned about issues, problems, recalls, questions, queries, complaints, or reliability issues? Check out our Renault Master problems page.