Winners and losers from IAA Mobility 2025

The auto show in Munich

The IAA Mobility show is one of the biggest automotive shows in Europe, and is a place for European automakers to show off their latest new vehicles and concepts. Since North American auto shows, specifically the “Big 4” in the United States are becoming less and less relevant, IAA Mobility ends up being the place for brands to show off products.

This year’s show felt like a big deal, with new debuts of some popular vehicles, a couple of interesting concepts, and a general sense of moving forward in the automotive landscape with an eye towards the future.

There are winners and losers at every auto show, and in my opinion these are the winners and losers from the Munich show.

Winner: BMW iX3

The first production vehicle on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, the iX3 is the future of electric BMWs. The future looks bright.

New styling with a smaller and narrower kidney grille reminds me (and BMW, for that matter) of the BMW 2002. It also doesn’t deviate much from the concept from which it is based. The interior has a bunch of angles and slants, which look interesting. There’s even a slanted infotainment display, which looks cool but I’m not sure if it’ll be an ergonomic nightmare.

At around $60,000 projected, the iX3 50 xDrive will have a dual motor setup with 463 horsepower. BMW is targeting an EPA-rated range number of 400 miles. It’ll recharge at up to 400 kW thanks to its advanced 800-volt architecture.

There’s some cool tech controlling it all, including four domain controllers handling all of the vehicle’s functions, and there’s a new Highway Assistant that will allow for hands-free driving, similar to Super Cruise or Blue Cruise.

While $60,000 is a lot of money for a new car, for a BMW with these specs it might even be considered a deal. I dig it.

(Read more about the BMW iX3)

Winner: Hyundai Concept Three

The Hyundai Three is a concept, but it’s a cool concept. It looks like a modern-interpretation of the Hyundai Veloster of old, and that was a fun and interesting car. Hyundai said this concept will be the first forray into the compact EV segment (it already has a sub-compact in the Inster), and will fall under the Ioniq lineup. That means, most likely, that it’ll go on sale sometime in the near future as the Hyundai Ioniq 3.

If they make an N version, which we have no reason to believe they won’t, it’ll be bonkers. Hopefully we’ll get it in the United States, but Hyundai is probably a little concerned about the United States right now after its employees were caught up in a mass arrest.

(Read more about the Hyundai Three)

Loser: Volkswagen ID. Cross concept

Sometimes I wonder what is going on at Volkswagen. The new ID. Cross concept looks like a small urban vehicle that would be perfect for the streets of Europe. It looks good, is the right size, and probably won’t be priced too terribly.

Compared to earlier MEB products, the ID. Cross has a new battery pack that should be more reliable. But it just isn’t competitive in the year 2025. While other automakers are bringing 800-volt to the masses, Volkswagen is making do with technology that is a few years old. And it likely won’t be as inexpensive as something like the new Nissan Leaf, which has tech and pricing that makes sense.

It’s only a concept, but outside of the ID.3, I’m not sure how successful VW’s MEB-based ID lineup is going to be long term. Prove me wrong, Volkswagen.

(Read more about the ID. Cross)

Winner: The Mercedes grille

The folks in Stuttgart have some new EVs coming, and they are rocking a new grille that is pretty bold and in your face. It’s also illuminated. A younger me might look at the grille on the new GLC with EQ Technology (which I’ve driven the prototype of), and the upcoming C-Class with EQ Technology and say “ewww.” But you know what? I dig it.

As new cars become electric, it’s more important than ever to find a way to differentiate your brand from either other brand. Design is one way to do it, and having a big grille that can’t be mistaken for anything else is a way to do it.

(Read more about the C-Class with EQ Technology | Read more about the GLC with EQ Technology)

Loser: Porsche 911 Turbo S T-Hybrid

I’m just kidding. The new 911 is dope. I want to drive it.

(Read more about the 911 Turbo T-Hybrid)