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A Chasing Cars road test sent a BMW iX3 50 xDrive and a gasoline BMW X3 M50 xDrive from Sydney toward Byron Bay over a 740-km route. The X3 reached the destination with an estimated 332 km of range remaining, while the iX3 covered 747 km on one charge and stopped 23 km short.
A BMW X3 M50 xDrive completed a 740-km drive from Sydney toward Byron Bay with an estimated 332 km of range left, while a BMW iX3 50 xDrive traveled 747 km on one charge but stopped 23 km short of the destination. The result comes from a road test by Chasing Cars, as reported by InsideEVs, and compares how far the two SUVs went without refueling or recharging.
The two vehicles drove the same route using normal roads, Eco settings and climate-control settings chosen for efficiency. The drivers observed speed limits and could stop when needed, making the test a road-trip comparison rather than a controlled laboratory range test. The full Sydney-to-Byron Bay route was reported as 459.8 miles (740 km).
At the start, the iX3’s displayed estimate was 692 km (430 miles), below the trip distance. After about 30 km, the gasoline X3 M50 showed an estimated 784 km (487 miles) of range. The iX3’s early efficiency suggested it might still cover the route, but it ultimately recorded 747 km (464 miles) on one charge, 23 km short of Byron Bay.
The X3 M50 reached the destination and displayed 332 km (206 miles) remaining, according to the report. Those figures are vehicle range estimates recorded during one journey, not a direct measurement of the exact distance either vehicle could travel after the finish. The result favors the gasoline model for completing this particular route without stopping, while the iX3’s distance on a single charge was substantially greater than its cited EPA range rating.
What the Road Test Shows
For drivers comparing the two powertrains, the clearest practical difference is whether the trip can be completed without an energy stop. In this test, the gasoline X3 finished the route and retained an estimated reserve; the iX3 came close but would have needed a charging stop to reach Byron Bay. That distinction matters on long journeys where charging access, trip timing and the driver’s preferred reserve can affect planning.
The result does not establish that gasoline BMWs always travel farther than electric BMWs, or that the X3 M50 will retain the same reserve on other routes. Weather, road conditions, speed, passenger and cargo loads, driving style and the accuracy of the dashboard estimates can all affect real-world range. The comparison instead offers a specific example of how these two models performed under the conditions described by the testers.
The iX3’s reported 747-km trip distance also shows why a single test can complicate comparisons with official ratings. It traveled farther than the cited 434-mile EPA rating, but the source does not provide enough detail to treat the journey as a repeatable range result or to compare ratings across testing systems.
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The Two X3 Powertrains
The gasoline vehicle in the comparison was the X3 M50 xDrive, equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and mild-hybrid technology. InsideEVs reports its output as 393 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, and describes it as the thirstiest X3 version available at the time covered by the report, before the expected X3 M.
The electric vehicle was the iX3 50 xDrive. The report gives the iX3 M50’s output as 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft, but those specifications are not the same as the tested 50 xDrive’s stated output; the comparison should not conflate the two versions. The supplied material does not give the tested iX3’s battery capacity or the X3’s fuel-tank capacity.
Range figures displayed by a vehicle are estimates based on recent consumption and other inputs, so they can change during a trip. The test’s starting estimates offered an early indication, but the cars’ recorded travel and displayed remaining range at the destination were the more relevant outcomes for this route.
“The iX3 was able to do 747 km (464 miles) on one charge.”
— InsideEVs, summarizing the Chasing Cars test
Limits of This Route Comparison
The supplied report does not state when the test took place, the precise weather or traffic conditions, or whether the displayed remaining-range estimates were later verified against additional driving. It also does not provide a full account of energy use, fuel consumption or charging opportunities along the route.
Because this was one journey with two specific vehicles, the result cannot show how every iX3 or X3 would perform. The reported 332 km remaining is an onboard estimate, not evidence that the gasoline SUV was driven a further 332 km after reaching Byron Bay. It is also unclear how much the outcome would change under different temperatures, speeds, loads or route conditions.
What Drivers Should Compare
Readers considering either model should compare the exact trim and market-specific range ratings, then account for the routes they expect to drive and the availability of fuel or charging stops. For electric-car trips, the usable charging network and time needed to recharge may matter as much as the vehicle’s rated range; for gasoline models, actual fuel economy and tank capacity affect how much range is available.
No further test or follow-up result is specified in the supplied material. A repeat comparison with documented weather, traffic, energy use and verified post-destination driving would help show how consistently each model performs beyond this single Sydney-to-Byron Bay trip.
Key Questions
Which BMW went farther without stopping in this test?
The BMW X3 M50 xDrive completed the reported 740-km route and displayed an estimated 332 km of range remaining. The electric iX3 traveled 747 km on one charge but finished 23 km short of Byron Bay.
How far did the BMW iX3 travel on one charge?
Chasing Cars reported that the iX3 50 xDrive traveled 747 km (464 miles) on one charge during the test.
Was the iX3’s range higher than its EPA rating?
The report says the iX3 traveled 747 km, or 464 miles, compared with a cited EPA rating of 434 miles. This is the outcome of one road test, not a new official rating.
Does this prove gasoline BMWs always have more range?
No. The comparison covers one route and two specific vehicles. Conditions, driving style, load, weather and the vehicle’s range estimate can affect results, so it does not establish a general rule for all BMWs or trips.
Source: insideevs.com
