BMW iX3 (2021-2025) vs MG IM5

The BMW iX3 costs £19,400 more than the MG IM5. For that premium it adds 53 litres more boot space. The MG IM5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 25 miles more WLTP range and lower energy use, 175 versus 195 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX3 comes out ahead overall.

The MG IM5 is £19,400 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £192 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MG IM5 comes out roughly £19,520 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.

EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 196 miles for the BMW iX3 and 217 miles for the MG IM5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MG IM5 goes roughly 21 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 34 minutes in the BMW iX3 and 65 in the MG IM5, so the BMW iX3 loses less time at each stop. So the MG IM5 stops less often while the BMW iX3 stops for less time - pick on which you would rather do.

The BMW iX3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 69 mm narrower than the MG IM5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 509 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX3 and about 440 mm of total clearance for the MG IM5. The MG IM5 also turns in a 2.1 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.

Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX3 and 90% for the MG IM5. That gives the MG IM5 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The MG IM5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW iX3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.