BMW iX1 vs Kia EV3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW iX1
21 of 27 standard · 2 optional · 4 no dataFrom
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 20.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 490L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia EV3
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 12.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 460L
Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 70
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$77,900RRP
- with the Kia EV3's standard kit: $77,900 (nothing to add)
$47,600RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW iX1 xDrive30
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $337 a week in repayments ($77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $197 a week in repayments ($47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia EV3 starts $30,300 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW iX1 at 5 stars (2022) and the Kia EV3 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW iX1 and 83% for the Kia EV3, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW iX1, against 6 on the Kia EV3.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW iX1 and 7 in the Kia EV3.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the BMW iX1 and 6 on the Kia EV3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX1
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005746 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front right drive shaft may become loose and detach from the eDrive.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 1 more on the model page.
Kia EV3
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX1 features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX1 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV3. The Kia EV3 counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX1 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia EV3 offers cloth.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW iX1 uses a Electric producing 230kW and 494Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.
The Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The BMW iX1 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 58.3kWh (Kia EV3), giving WLTP ranges of 578km and 436km.
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 200mm longer than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW iX1 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW iX1 and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the BMW iX1 a 30L advantage.
For towing, the BMW iX1 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia EV3's turning circle is 1.5 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.9 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW iX1 costs about $970 a year (20.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV3 about $600 a year (12.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $370 a year less for the Kia EV3.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV3).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX1: more power (230kW against 150kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (490L against 460L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,200kg against 500kg).
The Kia EV3: the lower starting price ($47,600 against $77,900), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($600 a year against $970).
The Verdict
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 70
The Kia EV3 scores 81 to the BMW iX1's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 10 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Kia EV3 ahead by 48 points), performance (BMW iX1 ahead by 20 points), value (Kia EV3 ahead by 14 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV3 costs about $370 less (12.5 kWh/100km against 20.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Warranty: 5 years on the BMW iX1, 7 on the Kia EV3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX1 and Kia EV3?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX1 by $30,300.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Kia EV3 has the most range at 436km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW iX1 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 130kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Kia EV3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX1 has the largest boot at 490L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW iX1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX1 makes the most power at 230kW. The BMW iX1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the BMW iX1 & Kia EV3
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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