If BMW had to choose one image to illustrate what “less is more” means, it would probably be the cabin of the iX3. Since iDrive 8 launched with the iX four years ago, the company has reduced dashboard size by gradually removing physical controls. The second generation iX3 goes one step further and does away with the rotary knob. The dial was already an endangered species as it was no longer installed in BMW’s latest compact cars.
With the 17.9-inch touchscreen, BMW was able to bundle access to most functions in the oversized infotainment. The goal is to “make the user interface innovative and configurable, that’s what it’s all about,” says Falk Schubert. But in an interview with CarExpertthe advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) engineer for the 2026 iX3, admitted that putting too many buttons on a screen raises safety concerns.
“We see that the longer it takes you to press a button, the more your eyes are distracted from the road and the more dangerous things become. You have to compensate for that and learn over time. The more buttons you reduce and the more you put them on a screen, the easier it is to reprogram these things. At some point there has to be a consensus. But yeah, it’s a hot discussion right now, so let’s see how things develop over time.”
While some people at BMW are pushing for an even bigger reduction, not everyone agrees. The iX3 still has a handful of physical buttons and retains its steering wheel stalks. However, there is no separate climate control, so the driver has to rely on the touchscreen. Even simple settings such as B. the alignment of the air flow, are now carried out via the display.
Schubert admits there is a “conflict” over how far the reduction of traditional controls should go before it becomes a security risk. Although BMW will rethink the user interface in the future, the 40 new or updated models launching by the end of 2027 will adopt much of the iX3’s interior layout. iDrive X is expected to extend across the entire product range. It will be found in vehicles as large as the next-gen X7 and as small as the rumored i1.
Notable exceptions are the Z4 and 8 series, both of which are being retired without replacement. The iX will not switch to iDrive X either, as a second generation is not planned. The 2 Series Active Tourer is also unlikely to adopt BMW’s latest infotainment technology. The 4 Series’ lifecycle has reportedly been extended until mid-2029. Along with the 2 Series, these models will likely be the last BMWs to use the old layout.
Source: CarExpert
