Driving the BMW iX3 M-Sport SUV today – the more affordable electric version of
its best-selling mid-size X3 range, introduced earlier this year at $89,100. Nicely
specified despite being nearly $16,000 more affordable to the top spec iX3 M-
Sport Pro. So how does it drive. Featuring a 80kWh battery powering a
210kW/400Nm single electric motor driving the rear wheels only via a single
speed transmission. A very rewarding EV with a slight hum in a very well
insulated and torsionally stiff body giving it a classy edge – I found I was using
energy consumption on average around 18kWhours per 100 kilometres not quite
achieving BMW’s stated range of 460kms but not far off. Charging time on my
11kW home charger ran to around 7/12 hours overnight but with the ability to take
a 150kW charge rate BMW suggesting a 10-80 percent charge could be as quick
as 34 minutes. A good level of safety technology but disappointingly lacking rear
cross traffic alert. But as a rear drive only surprisingly nimble and with BMW’s
wheel slip control system and adaptive suspension very controlled irrespective of
road surface. The BMW iX3 M Sport a generally well packaged and extremely
comfortable prestige electric SUV. I’m David Berthon

Driving the BMW iX3 M-Sport SUV today &ndash; the more affordable electric version of its best-selling mid-size X3 range, introduced earlier this year at $89,100. Nicely specified despite being nearly $16,000 more affordable to the top spec iX3 M- Sport Pro. So how does it drive. Featuring a 80kWh battery powering a 210kW/400Nm single electric motor driving the rear wheels only via a single speed transmission. A very rewarding EV with a slight hum in a very well insulated and torsionally stiff body giving it a classy edge &ndash; I found I was using energy consumption on average around 18kWhours per 100 kilometres not quite achieving BMW&rsquo;s stated range of 460kms but not far off. Charging time on my 11kW home charger ran to around 7/12 hours overnight but with the ability to take a 150kW charge rate BMW suggesting a 10-80 percent charge could be as quick as 34 minutes. A good level of safety technology but disappointingly lacking rear cross traffic alert. But as a rear drive only surprisingly nimble and with BMW&rsquo;s wheel slip control system and adaptive suspension very controlled irrespective of road surface. The BMW iX3 M Sport a generally well packaged and extremely comfortable prestige electric SUV. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

BMW’s iX3 M-Sport SUV – nicely packaged mid-size prestige EV SUV

Driving Mitsubishi’s seven-seat mid-size Outlander SUV – it comes in a large range of front and all-wheel drive models in pure petrol or plug-in hybrid – I’m driving the top-line petrol Exceed 4WD – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder CVT automatic at $52,640. So how does it drive – the naturally aspirated petrol engine with 135kW and 244 Nm of torque is adequate, it’s no fire breather however the continuously variable transmission taps the power and torque well, but push it hard and it tends to surge a little like most CVT transmissions, however for the heavy work it has 8 pre-set manual gear ratios you can access via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The suspension is set up for one or seven passengers, as such it’s not sporty but provides a very comfortable ride and driving experience while the steering offers the ability to add more assistance if needed. The driving experience also aided by six drive modes – three, normal, eco and sport that adjust steering and transmission settings plus three offroad modes that give the Outlander a more adventurous spirit. As I said earlier, good economy 8.7L/100 on 91 Octane petrol. As a family carrier there’s much to like with Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed and little to criticize. I’m David Berthon

Driving Mitsubishi&rsquo;s seven-seat mid-size Outlander SUV &ndash; it comes in a large range of front and all-wheel drive models in pure petrol or plug-in hybrid &ndash; I&rsquo;m driving the top-line petrol Exceed 4WD &ndash; a 2.5-litre four-cylinder CVT automatic at $52,640. So how does it drive &ndash; the naturally aspirated petrol engine with 135kW and 244 Nm of torque is adequate, it&rsquo;s no fire breather however the continuously variable transmission taps the power and torque well, but push it hard and it tends to surge a little like most CVT transmissions, however for the heavy work it has 8 pre-set manual gear ratios you can access via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The suspension is set up for one or seven passengers, as such it&rsquo;s not sporty but provides a very comfortable ride and driving experience while the steering offers the ability to add more assistance if needed. The driving experience also aided by six drive modes &ndash; three, normal, eco and sport that adjust steering and transmission settings plus three offroad modes that give the Outlander a more adventurous spirit. As I said earlier, good economy 8.7L/100 on 91 Octane petrol. As a family carrier there&rsquo;s much to like with Mitsubishi&rsquo;s Outlander Exceed and little to criticize. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed SUV – well specified seven-seat family carrier

Driving Mitsubishi’s mid-size Outlander SUV today, the company’s best seller
and the second best selling mid-size SUV behind Toyota’s RAV4. I’m driving the
top spec 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol CVT automatic Outlander
Exceed 4WD at $52,640. On first impression, a roomy plush interior - in fact its
interior space gives the impression you’re driving a much larger SUV and you can
see why it is very popular with large families. And this is its best benefit over the
RAV 4 the fact that it has seven seats. All three rows also offer climate control air
with separate controls in each. Although the third row is best sized for kids.
Equipment comprehensive – a wireless phone charger, power tailgate. leather
seats with memory function up front, a head up display, 12.3-inch digital
instrument cluster, pull up sun blinds for the second-row seats and 10-speaker
Bose sound. And don’t forget Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km warranty, a real
buyer benefit. Servicing, every 12 months or 15,0000kms, the first five years
costing a reasonable $1700. Towing average at 1600 kilos braked and here the
2.5-litre four-cylinder would struggle with a heavy load. Good economy though –
on 91 octane petrol I managed 8.7L/100. Five-star ANCAP safety. Drive details
next segment I’m David Berthon

Driving Mitsubishi&rsquo;s mid-size Outlander SUV today, the company&rsquo;s best seller and the second best selling mid-size SUV behind Toyota&rsquo;s RAV4. I&rsquo;m driving the top spec 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol CVT automatic Outlander Exceed 4WD at $52,640. On first impression, a roomy plush interior - in fact its interior space gives the impression you&rsquo;re driving a much larger SUV and you can see why it is very popular with large families. And this is its best benefit over the RAV 4 the fact that it has seven seats. All three rows also offer climate control air with separate controls in each. Although the third row is best sized for kids. Equipment comprehensive &ndash; a wireless phone charger, power tailgate. leather seats with memory function up front, a head up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, pull up sun blinds for the second-row seats and 10-speaker Bose sound. And don&rsquo;t forget Mitsubishi&rsquo;s 10-year/200,000km warranty, a real buyer benefit. Servicing, every 12 months or 15,0000kms, the first five years costing a reasonable $1700. Towing average at 1600 kilos braked and here the 2.5-litre four-cylinder would struggle with a heavy load. Good economy though &ndash; on 91 octane petrol I managed 8.7L/100. Five-star ANCAP safety. Drive details next segment I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed SUV – mid-size seven-seater with great interior

With 2025 just around the corner its worth reminding potential car buyers that
there is still some 2023 build stock in the market and if you are in the market to
buy a new car its worth checking the build plate on the model you buy. A 2023
build car purchased in 2025 has already suffered two years depreciation so you
need a better than average discount. Some car makers are offering incentives on
old stock – Honda for example is offering drive-away discounts on its 2023-build
ZR-V and CR-V mid-size SUV’s – $2,500 to $3,000 off their respective drive-away
price plus five complimentary scheduled services worth $995, and providing a
further $2,500 contribution when you purchase them through Honda Financial
Services. All 2023 ZR-V and CR-V models also come with an extended eight-year
unlimited kilometre warranty and eight-years roadside assistance. I’m David
Berthon

With 2025 just around the corner its worth reminding potential car buyers that there is still some 2023 build stock in the market and if you are in the market to buy a new car its worth checking the build plate on the model you buy. A 2023 build car purchased in 2025 has already suffered two years depreciation so you need a better than average discount. Some car makers are offering incentives on old stock &ndash; Honda for example is offering drive-away discounts on its 2023-build ZR-V and CR-V mid-size SUV&rsquo;s &ndash; $2,500 to $3,000 off their respective drive-away price plus five complimentary scheduled services worth $995, and providing a further $2,500 contribution when you purchase them through Honda Financial Services. All 2023 ZR-V and CR-V models also come with an extended eight-year unlimited kilometre warranty and eight-years roadside assistance. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

BMW’s iX3 M-Sport SUV – nicely packaged mid-size prestige EV SUV

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