The 2021 BMW iX3 is one of BMW’s first ventures into the electric vehicle world. Based on the X3 crossover SUV, it is similar to the Tesla Model Y. With around 282 horsepower and 292 lb ft of torque; the iX3 is a solid first move.

How much will the BMW iX3 cost?

The 2021 BMW iX3 is the electric vehicle version of the BMW X3 SUV. Currently, it is not available in the U.S., but it would be priced around $86,000 if it was. Though it is similar to the X3, the iX3 has some cool features.

The iX3 is the first all-electric SUV for the brand. The range is estimated to be around 285 miles with 150kW rapid charging. That means you get up to the (recommended) 80% charge in 34 minutes.

Even if we never get the iX3 in the U.S., it is interesting to see what the brand did with the platform. The SUV is being built in China and is available in Europe.

Back in January, CNBC reported that BMW cut the SUV price in China by about $10,000. That would put it more in line with other locally made Chinese electric vehicles. Additionally, that puts it at the same price as the Tesla Model Y in China.

Bananas as a unit of measure for the iX3

If you need a different measure to help understand all of the room in the iX3, why not use a banana box? The size of your average banana box is 10 x 16 x 20 inches. How many banana boxes will fit in the cargo area of the BMW iX3?

Bjørn Nyland did the work for us and found out that the iX3 will hold 24 banana boxes. Nine of those fit in the trunk, and the rest fit within the cargo area with the seats folded. Not bad for a smaller SUV.

Not to mention, the area in the front has a ton of room. This isn’t the kind of room you can store banana boxes in, but it is a very roomy area. It seems that if BMW did a little more organizing, the iX3 could offer a front trunk.

Perhaps this was a cost-saving measure to help get the EV on the market.

China’s influence on the EV market

China has been one of the biggest markets to launch a new electric vehicle in. With tax breaks, incentives, and an extensive EV charging network, it makes sense. China has been pushing the switch to electric vehicles more than other countries, which explains the extensive offerings.

CNBC reported that the country expected a 40% surge in sales of new electric vehicles for 2021. That would put the sales up around 1.8 million EVs on the road. With the price drop, it makes sense BMW might not risk taking the vehicle to the American market.

Currently, BMW offers plug-in hybrid versions of the X3, X5, 3-Series, 5-Series, and 7-Series vehicles. According to BMW, these combine the TwinPower Turbo engine with plug-in charging for a combined range of around 400 miles, depending on the vehicle.