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BMW iX3 posts the longest real-world range, but Xpeng steals the headlines
The latest NAF and Motor Magazine El Prix summer range test delivered two clear takeaways: the BMW iX3 recorded the greatest absolute distance on a single charge, while the Xpeng X9 outperformed its official WLTP figure by the largest margin. Conducted twice yearly by the Norwegian Automobile Federation, the El Prix remains one of the most respected real-world EV range benchmarks, especially valuable in markets where WLTP or official figures can be optimistic.
The BMW iX3 completed the test with an impressive 781 km (485 miles) before the battery reached zero. That result puts BMW's Neue Klasse crossover at the top of the leaderboard for 2026 summer testing and shows the iX3 is a capable long-distance electric vehicle in warm-weather conditions. The iX3 also slightly exceeded its WLTP claim, traveling about 11 km (7 miles) or roughly 1.5 percent more than the official figure.
Key top-range results from El Prix summer 2026
- BMW iX3: 781 km (485 mi) — +1.5% vs WLTP
- Lucid Gravity: 720 km (447 mi) — second place in distance
- Mercedes-Benz CLA: 675 km (419 mi)
- Mercedes-Benz GLC: 665 km (413 mi)
- Xpeng X9: 646 km (401 mi)
Lucid Motors returned to the test with the Gravity SUV and posted a strong 720 km (447 miles), a reminder of the company’s prior performance when the Lucid Air set a 2025 summer record of 832 km (517 mi). Mercedes-Benz also showed robust results, the CLA and GLC logging 675 km and 665 km respectively.
Why Xpeng X9 is the real winner for buyers
El Prix sorts results not only by raw distance but by deviation from the manufacturer's WLTP figures. That metric reveals how accurate or conservative a brand's range claim is under realistic driving. On that scale the Xpeng X9 emerges as the standout performer. The Chinese MPV covered 646 km (401 miles) on a single charge despite a WLTP rating around 580 km (360 miles). That is an extraordinary positive deviation of approximately 11.4 percent, or roughly 41 miles beyond the advertised value.
For consumers concerned with real-world range versus marketing claims, percentage deviation is often more useful than absolute distance. A vehicle that overstated range by just a few percent could mean real inconvenience, while one that outperforms expectations brings unexpected peace of mind on longer trips.
Other notable deviations
- Xpeng X9: +11.4% (646 km vs 580 km WLTP)
- Kia EV2: +5.4% (325 km vs 308 km WLTP)
- Mercedes-Benz GLB: +5.3% (593 km vs 563 km WLTP)
The Kia EV2 and Mercedes GLB also posted positive deviations, though their absolute distances were smaller compared with the leaders. The Xpeng G9 previously made headlines with a similar pattern, delivering a 13 percent positive deviation in summer 2023, suggesting Xpeng may tune its WLTP claims conservatively or achieve strong efficiency in the test conditions.
Context for buyers and the market
Range anxiety remains a decisive purchase factor for many shoppers. Tests like El Prix help highlight how vehicles behave outside lab conditions, where ambient temperature, driving style, and real-world payload matter. For manufacturers, the test pressures WLTP labeling accuracy and rewards cars that marry realistic efficiency with credible marketing.
What this means for shoppers:
- If you prioritize outright distance for road trips, cars like the BMW iX3 and Lucid Gravity show class-leading capability.
- If you value reliability of the advertised range, pay attention to percentage deviation, where the Xpeng X9 shines.
- European and Chinese markets, where test conditions and WLTP labels can diverge, especially benefit from independent real-world comparisons.
El Prix remains one of the clearest demonstrations that not all range claims are created equal. Whether buyers choose the BMW for raw miles or the Xpeng for value above expectations, the competition is pushing manufacturers toward greater transparency and better real-world performance. For EV shoppers, that can only be a good thing.
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