Hyundai IONIQ 5 N vs BMW iX3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N: we're still completing kerb weight, transmission and braked towing.
BMW iX3: we're still completing ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N starts from $115,000 before on-road costs, while the BMW iX3 opens at $109,900. That makes the BMW iX3 the more affordable entry point by $5,100.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $126,500 and $120,890 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
84kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 350kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.5kW AC, 350kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
82.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 400kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, V2L, Bose audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the BMW iX3. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N runs a pure electric powertrain producing 478kW and 740Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds.
The BMW iX3 responds with a Electric making 345kW and 645Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N has the clear power advantage at 478kW vs 345kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 84kWh (Hyundai IONIQ 5 N) vs 82.6kWh (BMW iX3), giving WLTP ranges of 448km and 805km. DC fast charging peaks at 350kW (Hyundai IONIQ 5 N) vs 400kW (BMW iX3).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N measures 4,715mm long on a 3,000mm wheelbase, 67mm shorter than the BMW iX3 at 4,782mm (2,897mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and 520L in the BMW iX3, giving the BMW iX3 a 40L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.4m diameter
Large
Based on 12.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years (Hyundai IONIQ 5 N) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW iX3 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and BMW iX3 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the BMW iX3 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and BMW iX3?
The BMW iX3 is the cheapest at $109,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N by $5,100.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW iX3 has the most range at 805km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW iX3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 400kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW iX3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX3 has the largest boot at 520L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N makes the most power at 478kW. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is quickest to 100km/h in 3.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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