The What Car? magazine has awarded the BMW iX3 its "Car of the Year 2026" title. The electric SUV earned high praise for its range of up to 500 miles (approximately 805 km), fast charging capability of up to 400 kW, and road handling—the publication called the iX3 one of the best large cars to drive.

According to What Car? editor-in-chief Steve Huntingford, the iX3 represents a step forward in electric vehicle capabilities. For BMW, this marks the fourth win in the award's history, following previous victories for the 7 Series (1988), 3 Series (2006), and 5 Series (2017). It is also the fifth time an electric car has taken the overall prize.

Separately, last year's What Car? winner, the Renault 5, retained its title as the best small electric car of the year. The 2026 winners list also includes the Tesla Model 3 (Executive car category) and the Porsche 911 Carrera T (Sports car category).