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2022 BMW iX3 price and features: Mercedes-Benz EQC, Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron rival's facelift revealed ahead of Australian launch

BMW's built-in-China iX3 has been updated ahead of its Australian arrival.

The BMW iX3, the electric version of the brand’s popular mid-size SUV, has been updated ahead of its Australian launch.

The iX3 is confirmed to arrive in Australia before the end of the year, wearing a before-on-roads price-tag (MSRP) of $114,900. Featuring the brand’s 'fifth-generation' eDrive electric technology, the updated iX3 will be built in China. The single specification has a claimed 460km range using the WLTP standard.

While Australians never had a chance to see the pre-facelift model, this new one brings a larger grille, more slimline LED headlight cluster design, and new three-dimensional structures for the rear light clusters.

It also now comes standard with an M Sport package in our market, featuring slightly more aggressive bodywork items and 20-inch alloys. The new design is said to bring the iX3 more in line with its iX and i4 siblings.

On the inside the BMW iX3 scores a 12.3-inch digital dashboard and matching multimedia display with an updated software suite which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an updated version of the brand’s built-in navigation, as well as new app functions and voice controls. The interior has been updated with a new centre console and shifter design from the outgoing version.

Standard items in Australia also include adaptive suspension, leather interior trim, head-up display, interior ambient lighting, sports seats with electric heating and power adjust, 16-speaker premium audio and a wireless phone charger. An unusual bonus for buyers, BMW includes both a wall socket to Type 2 charger, and a Type 2 to Type 2 public charging cable as part of the standard items in Australia

The motor is mounted on the rear axle and produces 210kW/400Nm, allowing a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.8 seconds. The motor is backed by a 74kWh battery pack for the aforementioned 460km driving range, able to be charged via a European-standard Type 2 CCS cable.

The iX3 is claimed to consume less energy than its key rivals per 100km. The iX3 is claimed to consume less energy than its key rivals per 100km.

The iX3 will consume 18.5kWh/100km, less on the combined cycle than its Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC rivals.

The iX3 can charge at a maximum rate of 150kW on DC, allowing 100km of range to be added every 10 minutes, or a 10-80 per cent charge in just 32 minutes. The iX3 also has an 11kW AC to DC converter, allowing a charge time of 7.5 hours from a wallbox or public terminal.

iPhone users will also be able to set up a digital key for the iX3, with the ignition being triggered by the placement of the phone on the wireless charging bay. The car is said to generate a unique driving noise depending on which drive mode is selected.

The iX3 comes standard with the full suite of BMW safety features featuring freeway-speed auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with emergency assist, front and rear cross traffic alert, reverse auto braking, intersection assist and adaptive cruise control with a stop and go functionality, and red light detection.

The more traditionally-shaped iX3 will still debut new technology for the brand. The more traditionally-shaped iX3 will still debut new technology for the brand.

Front and rear parking sensors are also standard, with a 3D surround-view camera suite able to be optioned with an auto parking feature. The brand says it can also use the car’s camera suite as a built-in drive recorder.

The iX3 will arrive in Australia in November in a single specification, with the M-Sport pack standard. It will also come with all public charging cables. The brand's local division also informed us that a new wallbox design with updated specification will be made available around the same time, with pricing and detailed specification to be confirmed at a later date.

The electric mid-size SUV will be one part of a new BMW electric vehicle onslaught and will also be joined by the iX large SUV and i4 sedan within the next year.