BMW’s launch color for the new iX3 (NA5) may be Ocean Wave Blue, but Polarized Gray Metallic is already becoming one of the sleeper hits of the Neue Klasse range. We recently photographed the electric crossover in Sotogrande, Spain – just a few kilometers from the Rock of Gibraltar – where the darker paint accentuated the SUV’s clean finish and sharp proportions.
At launch, the NA5 iX3 will be offered in six colors:
- Alpine white
- Space silver metallic
- M Brooklyn Gray Metallic
- Ocean wave blue metallic
- Sapphire black metallic
- Polarized gray metallic
- Fire Red – marketed as Vegas Red in the US – will be added to the range later along with Frozen Pure Gray.
M Sport Pro in the wild
The polarized gray iX3 shown here features the M Sport Pro package, which adds darker exterior elements and gives the SUV a more confident presence. Compared to the standard M Sport package, the Pro equipment has a black kidney grille surround, black mirror caps and a high-gloss black diffuser insert. Red-painted M Sport brake calipers round off the exterior refinement. In combination with the 21-inch 1050 M wheels, the SUV gets a more roadworthy, sporty look.
New class details up close
The design language of the New Class looks pretty sharp in this color. The subtle gray tones emphasize the taut surfaces of the body without drowning out the lines in contrast. Additional images from the shoot in Sotogrande also provide a closer look at the interior details. The center console and the door controls are characterized by clear, high-quality surfaces. Thanks to the standard split-folding rear seat, the loading volume ranges from 520 to 1,750 liters. At the front, the 58-liter trunk offers practical storage space for the charging cable or smaller travel items.
We absolutely loved the M Sport seats in this car. They are covered in two-tone BMW Individual Adelaide Gray Merino leather, a premium upholstery option that enhances the interior beyond the standard M Sport finish. This high-quality material extends from the seats – even in the versions with a massage function – to the center armrest and all the way to the illuminated instrument panel. It gives the interior a more upscale, tailored feel while retaining the sporty upholstery and “M” branding that characterize the M Sport Pro package. In Europe there is also the M Sport Pro package
Just like the G45, it’s likely that a future M Performance iX3 M60 model will also offer this option for American customers.
Further variants and individual colors will follow
Speaking of models, the first wave of the NA5 launch focuses on the 50 xDrive model, but more variants are in the pipeline. BMW will add 40 xDrive and 40 sDrive versions in the near future, followed by M Performance and full M derivatives as the range expands. The painted options are also being expanded. From mid-2026, BMW will introduce a range of custom colors for the iX3, allowing for deeper personalization beyond the standard palette.
Production will begin at the end of October, with the first deliveries scheduled for next spring. Meanwhile, a long-wheelbase version built in China will specifically serve this market.
