Hyundai IONIQ 9 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.
Track the Hyundai IONIQ 9 & BMW iX3
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 starts from $119,750 before on-road costs, while the BMW iX3 opens at $109,900. That makes the BMW iX3 the more affordable entry point by $9,850.
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 $131,725 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
110.3kWh 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
108.7kWh 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 9 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.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai IONIQ 9 gets nappa leather upholstery while the BMW iX3 offers artificial leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 2-zone in the BMW iX3.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 314kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed reduction gear to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 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 BMW iX3 has the clear power advantage at 345kW vs 314kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW iX3 is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 110.3kWh (Hyundai IONIQ 9) vs 108.7kWh (BMW iX3). DC fast charging peaks at 350kW (Hyundai IONIQ 9) vs 400kW (BMW iX3).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 measures 5,060mm long on a 3,130mm wheelbase, 278mm longer than the BMW iX3 at 4,782mm (2,897mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai IONIQ 9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 338L in the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 520L in the BMW iX3, giving the BMW iX3 a 182L advantage. The Hyundai IONIQ 9 seats 7 vs 5.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.5m diameter
Large
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 9) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai IONIQ 9 if: You or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW iX3 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW iX3 takes 6 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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 9 and BMW iX3?
The BMW iX3 is the cheapest at $109,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai IONIQ 9 by $9,850.
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 — Hyundai IONIQ 9 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 can tow the most?
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX3 makes the most power at 345kW. The BMW iX3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.9s.
Free: Chinese Cars in Australia Cheat Sheet
Sign up free and we'll email you our Chinese Cars Cheat Sheet (PDF) — all 22 brands ranked on service, parts, warranty and dealer experience. Plus new-car launches, reviews and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
