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Mar 12, 2023

Which BMW Electric Cars Can You Buy in 2023?

BMW has a growing number of attractive electric vehicles available for purchase

BMW has a growing number of attractive electric vehicles available for purchase around the world.

Tesla gets a lot of attention when it comes to electric vehicles, especially from those specifically shopping for a new EV. But there are other automakers that are also making a splash in the world of EVs, and BMW is certainly a brand to watch out for.

The German automaker has steadily grown its lineup of electrified vehicles to the point that the company has one of the most extensive portfolios of electrified models on the market.

Let's explore BMW's electric vehicle lineup!

The BMW iX is a large electric SUV with a controversial exterior design and a beautiful interior. The iX's exterior, especially the front end, has received a lot of criticism from automotive journalists, but this is unlikely to deter BMW fans from purchasing this large luxury EV. The rear of the iX is arguably the SUV's most attractive area, and the slim, blacked-out taillights give the SUV a mean and futuristic look. Inside, the iX features gorgeous materials, including crystal-like dials and switches, which really differentiate the iX from other luxury electric vehicles.

The iX is a great vehicle to drive if you're planning an EV road trip because it gets up to 307 miles of range on a full charge of the biggest available battery pack. Even the performance variant, the iX M60, can get up to 293 miles of range from a full battery.

With 610 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, the iX M60 variant is ridiculously quick, being able to do the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The iX is a great Tesla Model X alternative for buyers who are looking for a larger electric SUV but want an offering from a legacy automaker.

The BMW i7 is one of the most luxurious electric vehicles you can buy. The rear entertainment system includes a massive 31-inch screen that drops from the roof in dramatic fashion. You can access this feature via Theater Mode, which automatically lowers the display and also closes the rear sunshades for a true theater-like experience in the back seat of your BMW.

The opulent interior also features glass trim pieces that light up in a variety of colors. There's also the giant Sky Lounge panoramic roof, which has a futuristic pattern of LED light strips embedded in the glass. In terms of ambient lighting, the i7 might be the best vehicle on the market, especially the way the large crystal trim that runs the width of the dash flashes red when you turn on the hazard lights.

The BMW i7 starts at $119,300, and it can drive up to 318 miles on a full battery. It is a great vehicle for demanding owners who are looking for the best backseat experience from a large luxury electric sedan, although being a BMW, they will find enjoyment if they get behind the wheel too.

Just like with the i7, which is a fully electric version of the 7 Series, BMW has also launched the i5. Revealed in May 2023, this electric 5 Series sedan enters production in the summer and is available with either a single rear motor or a dual-motor configuration in the i5 M60 variant. The latter has 601 horsepower and a gravity-altering 605 lb-ft of torque, enough to push it from nought to 60 mph in just over 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 143 mph.

The base eDrive 40 model has a claimed WLTP range of up to 361 miles, while the performance-oriented M60 still manages a respectable 320 miles on one charge.

Like most modern BMWs, the i5 has a controversial exterior design (although not as controversial as the i7's) and a feature-rich, sustainability-focused interior brimming with gadgets and luxury features. Even though the outside looks quite different when compared to the larger i7, inside the two vehicles are much more similar.

The BMW i4 is BMW's midsize electric sedan offering (although it's technically a hatchback), and it starts at $52,000. If you're not a huge BMW fanatic, distinguishing between the regular 4 Series and the electric i4 will be tough. This is definitely good because both versions are extremely attractive and feature elegant, classic design proportions.

The i4 offers up to 301 miles of range, which makes it an excellent vehicle for the daily commute. The i4 M50 leans more towards performance with its 536 horsepower, but the range will take a significant hit at 271 miles. It's also one of the most fun-to-drive electric vehicles that you can buy at any price point.

Buying an i4 in the US will also get you two years of free charging with Electrify America, an incentive that should definitely sweeten the deal for many potential EV buyers.

The BMW iX3 features a 285-mile range and is exclusively available in rear-wheel drive configuration, which is an interesting choice for an electric SUV. The iX3's looks are basically identical to the regular X3, but there are cool design elements that help it stand out, like the blue accents and the closed-off grille that's becoming a staple of EV design.

Inside, you'll find the same handsome interior as you would in a conventional X3. This is definitely a good thing, because the X3 has one of the most inviting and high-quality interiors in its class. If you're looking for an electric SUV with a conservative design that doesn't stick out too much, the iX3 is a good choice. It's only coming to the US for its next generation, though, but you can order one in Europe. In the UK, it starts at £64,165, equivalent to about $77,860.

The BMW iX1 is another electric SUV not available in the US. In the UK, it starts at £53,295 ($64,668) and serves as the brand's smallest electric high-rider. It will cover approximately 272 miles on a full battery, and in xDrive 30 guise (the only one available), it will accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.5 seconds.

Just because it's a compact SUV doesn't mean it's short on luxury. The iX1 is a BMW after all, and it can even be optioned out with massage seats, which are perfect for long road trips, among other available luxury features.

The iX1 features distinctive blue accents all around its exterior, which identify the vehicle as part of BMW's electrified lineup of vehicles. Other than the blue styling elements or the lack of a visible tailpipe, you won't immediately tell the iX1 is an electric SUV thanks to its subdued design.

The interior is very much in line with what you'll find in the rest of BMW's lineup, but it's still an attractive and cozy place to be. The curved BMW infotainment displays are large and impressive, but like many modern infotainment screens, the array does look a bit like an afterthought.

In terms of environmental impact, the cobalt and lithium that go into the battery of the BMW iX1 are responsibly sourced, so you can feel at ease with your EV purchase knowing it's built in an environmentally conscious manner.

The BMW i3 is no longer available new (production stopped in mid-2022), but the compact EV is still a great option if you're shopping for something that you can drive around the city in. The i3 can drive up to 153 miles on a full battery, and you can even option out the i3 with a range extender, which is an internal combustion (motorcycle) engine that recharges the battery while you're driving.

With the range extender, the i3 can travel up to 200 miles. One of the coolest things about the i3 is its futuristic styling, which is a decade old but still looks good in 2023. The i3 was the first BMW to be designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, and BMW really tried to highlight its sustainability with an interior made from sustainable materials and the use of lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the car's structure, an approach that is revolutionary for a vehicle at its price point.

BMW's electric vehicle lineup is among the most impressive when you consider the number of offerings the company has in various segments. Some models, like the iX1, iX3, i4, i5, and i7, are based on BMW's internal combustion engine vehicles, while others, like the iX and i3, are bespoke EVs, but all of them are excellent electric vehicles. Even used BMW EVs like the i3 are great options if you're on a budget.

Alex is a Computer Science graduate with an intense passion for anything automotive. He's been writing about cars for the better part of 10 years, and is currently a writer for the Electric Vehicles section at MUO. Whether it's keeping up to date with the latest car news, or test-driving a new EV, Alex is always working relentlessly to stay on top of the latest trends in the auto industry.