Peter Lyon
November 26, 2025
The new BMW iX3 is picking up multiple awards as 2025 comes to a close. Having just captured Germany’s Golden Steering Wheel for Best Innovation award, followed by Carwow’s Tech Trailblazer gong , the iX3 has just been crowned Top Gear Magazine’s 2026 Car of the Year. The prestigious accolade was presented to the first Neue Klasse model at the publication’s annual awards ceremony, which celebrates the best cars launched over the past twelve months.
The iX3 is new from bumper to bumper, ground to cloud
The BMW iX3 impressed judges with its all-new design, class-leading driving dynamics and the multitude of innovations it ushers in for the brand. Handing over the trophy, Paul Horrell, Consultant Editor of Top Gear Magazine said, “The iX3 is wholly new. Above and beneath. Bumper to bumper. Ground to cloud. It has the magic 500-mile claimed range, an entirely new interior concept, but most importantly it drives like a BMW ought to – not like a bulky EV crossover, or soulless digital first zombiemobile. BMW’s cars have always strived to be at the tip of mainstream excellence – the iX3 puts them back where they belong.”
The iX3 once again raises the bar – setting new benchmarks in performance, range and technology while introducing a cutting-edge design language. Its advancements will shape the entire future BMW product portfolio and will be incorporated into a total of 40 new models and model updates between now and 2027, starting with the i3 Saloon, which begins production in the second half of 2026.
On receiving the award, David George, CEO, BMW Group UK and Ireland said, “The launch of the new iX3 represents more than just the debut of an exceptional new model – it signals the start of an exciting and transformative chapter for our brand. We are thrilled to receive the prestigious Car of the Year award for this milestone moment and would like to thank the entire Top Gear team for this special recognition”.
The iX3 50 xDrive is priced from £58,755 and can be preordered from retailers with first customer deliveries taking place on 7 March 2026. To learn more about the iX3, click HERE.
