2027 BMW iX3 vs 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ: BMW’s Case for Long-Distance Electric Luxury
2027 BMW iX3 vs 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ: BMW’s Case for Long-Distance Electric Luxury
Posted on September 16, 2026
Two electric SUVs, one question for the driver who covers real distance: how little of the trip do you spend plugged in? The 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive answers with 698 km of NRCan-certified range, charging at up to 400 kW and xDrive all-wheel drive as standard.
The Cadillac LYRIQ brings a 102 kWh battery and a longer body, but the iX3 pulls ahead on range, charging hardware and drivetrain, the three things that shape a highway-heavy week in Quebec.
iX3 and LYRIQ Side by Side
|
Category |
2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive |
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ |
|
NRCan electric range |
698 km |
513 km (AWD), 525 km (RWD) |
|
Drivetrain |
Dual-motor AWD, standard |
RWD or AWD, depending on trim |
|
Adapter for non-NACS DC stations |
CCS adapter, standard |
GM CCS1 DC Adapter, optional |
|
Home AC charging |
Up to 19.2 kW |
11.5 kW standard; 19.2 kW optional on Premium and Signature AWD trims |
|
Seating |
5 |
5 |
|
Length |
4,782 mm |
4,996 mm |
Seating is level at five. The iX3 takes the rows that decide a long trip, and it does so in the shorter body.
Charging Hardware That Shortens Every Stop
The iX3 runs an 800 V system with lithium-ion cylindrical cells and accepts up to 400 kW at a DC station. That moves the battery from 10 to 80% in 21 minutes at an 800 V charger. Its in-house battery management, with an integrated switching matrix, also lets it charge from 400 V DC stations.
Planning makes that speed usable. When BMW Maps routes you to a DC stop, the battery preconditions automatically before arrival, and you can start it manually from the Central Display or the My BMW app. As you near the charger, the system checks its availability more often and recalculates the route if the charger goes down.
The LYRIQ offers Plug and Charge through the myCadillac app after a one-time activation of IONNA or a linked third-party account. The iX3 goes further with Plug & Charge Multi Contract, which holds up to ten charging contracts from different suppliers in the car. The My BMW app also shows the live charging speed and curve.
The plugs tell a similar story. The iX3 has a NACS port and a CCS adapter as standard equipment, covering Supercharger access and other networks. The LYRIQ can use NACS stations through its app, but its CCS1 DC adapter is optional equipment on every trim.
698 km Changes How You Plan a Trip
The iX3 50 xDrive carries an NRCan-certified 698 km. The LYRIQ’s NRCan figure is 513 km on AWD trims and 525 km on RWD trims, and the LYRIQ-V falls to 459 km. Against the AWD LYRIQ, the iX3 goes 185 km farther on a charge.
A 0.24 drag coefficient and a dual-motor layout sit behind that number. The MAX RANGE function in My Mode Efficient can extend range by up to 25% by limiting drive power and top speed and scaling back comfort functions. It is there for the day a charger on your route is out of service.
Dual-Motor xDrive as the Starting Point
Two motors deliver 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque: an electrically excited synchronous motor at the rear axle and an asynchronous motor at the front. The 0-100 km/h run takes 4.9 seconds, and top speed is 210 km/h.
The LYRIQ starts in RWD, and stepping up to AWD trims its range from 525 km to 513 km. The iX3 50 xDrive is dual-motor AWD as standard and still reaches 698 km.
The LYRIQ offers Regen on Demand through a steering-column paddle, plus One-Pedal Driving. The iX3 hands drivetrain, brakes, energy recuperation and steering to a single Heart of Joy control unit, which processes information up to ten times faster than conventional control units. Braking and traction work as one system rather than separate modes.
Home Charging and Backup Power
At home, the iX3 50 xDrive charges at up to 19.2 kW when connected to the BMW Wallbox Professional. The LYRIQ’s standard onboard module delivers 11.5 kW, and 19.2 kW is an option on its Premium and Signature AWD trims.
Bidirectional charging is part of the iX3 too. Every iX3 includes Vehicle-to-Load, which turns it into a mobile power bank, and Vehicle-to-Home, which supplies emergency backup power during an outage. Storing solar energy from a home photovoltaic system and Vehicle-to-Grid are planned for a later stage.
Panoramic iDrive and a Cabin Built Around the Driver
The iX3 is the first vehicle with BMW Panoramic iDrive. A Panoramic Vision display spans the base of the windshield and puts key driving information in your line of sight, backed by a 17.9-inch Central Display. BMW Operating System X and ConnectedDrive Services run on top, and software updates arrive over the air.
The LYRIQ’s 33-inch Horizon Display brings Google built-in, but the iX3’s BMW Maps plans charging stops for you, even in base specification. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging and BMW Digital Key Plus are standard on the iX3, and a 13-speaker Harman Kardon system is part of the audio package.
The LYRIQ is the longer SUV, 4,996 mm against the iX3’s 4,782 mm, but both seat five. The iX3 delivers its 698 km from the shorter body.
Why the iX3 Fits Quebec Drivers
If your week includes intercity runs, the iX3 is the clear fit. The extra range means fewer stops, 400 kW charging keeps each stop short, and BMW Maps handles routing and battery preconditioning without your input.
If you want one car to work across charging networks, the standard NACS port and CCS adapter cover that from day one. If your home has a wallbox, 19.2 kW charging, Vehicle-to-Load and Vehicle-to-Home make the iX3 useful in the driveway as well as on the highway.
The 2027 BMW iX3 Is the Long-Distance Pick
The iX3 50 xDrive pairs 698 km of NRCan-certified range with 400 kW DC charging, an 800 V system, standard dual-motor xDrive and standard NACS and CCS charging access. Those figures decide a long-distance EV purchase.
Visit BMW Laval in Laval to ask about ordering the 2027 iX3, and book a test drive to feel the xDrive response and Panoramic iDrive for yourself.