The BMW X3 reveals extreme generational fragmentation. The outgoing G01 (2018-2024) is widely praised as a beautifully designed, well-built luxury SUV with excellent driving dynamics. The new 2025+ G45 generation faces harsh criticism for its cheap plastic interior, controversial steering wheel with capacitive touch buttons, and removal of physical controls, described by multiple owners as a shocking downgrade. The electric iX3 receives positive feedback for its impressive 800km range and 400kW charging specs, nearly selling out in Europe for 2026, but the interior and steering wheel design remain contentious. Use-case fragmentation is clear: EV buyers appreciate the technical specifications, while traditional BMW enthusiasts are abandoning the brand over design direction. Sales remain strong despite online backlash, suggesting the target demographic differs significantly from the enthusiast community.
The Gravity is a brilliant electric SUV trapped in a startup's growing pains, it drives and charges better than anything in the 3-row class, but the key fob dies every few months and often won't unlock the car, forcing you to fumble for a backup card. Software bugs (navigation freezes, window controls failing, profile glitches) and a February 2026 rear-seat recall compound the frustration, while service waits stretch past two months when something breaks. If you're an early-adopter type with a nearby service center and patience for fixes, current lease deals make this compelling; if you need a polished, reliable daily driver today, circle back in a year when Lucid catches up to its own engineering.