BMW says the iX3 is exceptionally smooth. I tested it with a cup and a slalom run.

INCHEON — BMW has never shied away from pushing boundaries. A glance at the latest iX3 is enough to show just how ambitious the automaker is willing to be — and at least for Korean consumers, the gamble appears likely to pay off.

The latest SUV in the Neue Klasse series — which invokes the name of the breakthrough series of the 1960s that helped lift BMW out of a downturn — enters what is arguably Korea’s most fiercely contested segment: the midsize electric SUV market, dominated by the Tesla Model Y with Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 5 hot on its heels. 

First, the completely overhauled design imparts a softer, almost playful character. If BMW’s traditional designs are arguably focused on masculine presence, the new iX3 feels friendlier and more approachable — perhaps more appealing to female buyers.

That said, some Korean consumers have jokingly compared the front end to a wild boar, and the resemblance is not entirely unfounded. 

Whatever opinions there are on the outside, what impressed me most was a detail in the interior: a full-width display integrated into the lower edge of the windshield, called BMW Panoramic Vision, that allows drivers to select and arrange up to six functions much like widgets on a smartphone.

It felt like a tangible step toward the software-defined vehicle that the industry has long promised — an experience that brings the idea of an “iPhone on wheels” closer to reality.

From a driving perspective, it’s smooth, smoother than you could imagine — though whether that is a virtue or a drawback will ultimately come down to personal preference.

I wore a blindfold and earplugs for a simple experiment, and rode in both the iX and the iX3 to identify the exact moment the vehicle came to a complete stop. In the iX, the answer was easy, as I could immediately feel a subtle forward lurch as the momentum shifted during braking. 

In the iX3, however, I failed to accurately determine when the vehicle had come to a complete stop.

A BMW spokesperson explained that the smoothness is a result of four high-performance computers, known as Superbrains, delivering data-processing capability up to 20 times greater than previous systems.

“The 'Heart of Joy' computer integrates and controls key driving functions in real time, from throttle input and steering to braking,” he said. “Rather than operating as separate systems, these functions work in unison, resulting in a far smoother and more seamless driving experience."

With that, I couldn't resist putting BMW's claims to the test. This time, I placed a cup of washer fluid on the vehicle's panoramic roof and set off along a slalom course. 

Despite the constant changes in direction and the lateral forces involved, the cup remained firmly in place throughout the run.

It was a simple demonstration, but I could tell that the car felt composed and stable, with minimal roll even when pushed through tighter angles.

The iX3 delivers up to 469 horsepower and 65.8 kilogram-meter (476 pound-feet) of torque. It goes from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) in just 4.9 seconds. 

The next surprise came from the parking assistance system. Simply pull up near an available parking space, activate the system and the vehicle takes over, busily working the steering wheel on its own before neatly guiding itself into the spot. For inexperienced drivers or anyone who finds parking stressful, it's an undeniably useful feature — probably.

The system works best when a parking space is clearly identified and unobstructed. Given how common narrow parking situations are in Korea, it remains questionable how often drivers will be able to fully rely on it in everyday use.

Still, the iX3 comes with a few drawbacks that may surprise drivers who prioritize safety above all else.

The touch-centric center fascia, almost completely devoid of all physical buttons, is not always the most intuitive solution. Even basic adjustments, such as changing the direction or intensity of the air conditioning, require navigating through the touchscreen menus.

During my drive, the airflow was so strong that it made my eyes uncomfortable. However, adjusting it through the display while driving felt distracting and unsafe, leaving me to continue driving in a less-than-ideal condition.

Also, the multispoke steering wheel has taken a squared-off form with a flat top and bottom, which looks trendy and distinctive but can feel less intuitive during tight maneuvers.

The iX3 can travel 611 kilometers (380 miles) on a single charge based on Korean certification, requiring only 21 minutes to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent using 800-volt high-voltage architecture.

One more thing worth noting is that the car taps batteries from EVE Energy, which may raise red flags for Korean consumers who still hold reservations about Chinese-made batteries.

Then there is the question of price. The iX3 starts at 79.9 million won ($52,300) and stretches up to 91.9 million won in Korea, far pricier than market rivals like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, which all sit around the 40 million won range.

BY SARAH CHEA [[email protected]]