BMW iX review: a very impressive electric SUV
Remarkably capable in almost every area, the BMW iX is expensive to buy, but is a deeply impressive all-electric family SUV
The BMW iX is a seriously impressive achievement from the German manufacturer. Famed for its engineering prowess, BMW has developed a large, all-electric SUV that is supremely comfortable, great to drive and leads the way with first-rate on-board technology.
Luxury levels of ride and refinement add to the sense of occasion, as does the interior quality, although the obvious catch is that you will have to pay handsomely for the privilege of owning one. Other minor grumbles are that the iX’s boot is a touch too small compared to some rivals, while overall range is good, but not class-leading. Other than that, the BMW iX is a superb EV and one we definitely recommend – if your pockets are deep enough.
About the BMW iX
The BMW iX is the Bavarian automaker’s first all-electric car since the i3 supermini was launched back in 2013, and is regarded in some circles as a surefire future classic. The i brand has also included the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car and, more recently, the battery-powered iX3 SUV, i4 Gran Coupe, i7 luxury limousine and iX1 compact SUV, although the iX is the first of the company’s EVs to use an all-new, scalable platform for electric cars.
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Based on the iNext concept that was showcased at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the iX is roughly the same size as its X5 sibling, and is being similarly marketed as a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) to highlight both its dynamic and lifestyle qualities. This may sound like PR guff, but the luxury iX really does deliver across the board; equipped with a surprising ability to take on A and B-roads with confidence and delivering a level of poise and assurance that belies its 2.4-tonne kerbweight, particularly in high-performance M60 guise.
But it’s not just the driver who’ll enjoy travelling in the iX, as passengers will also benefit from the supreme levels of comfort and on-board tech, not to mention the whisper-quiet electric powertrain and luxury cabin feel: the interior is swathed in soft-touch fabrics, while the futuristic dash design is a standout feature.
Unsurprisingly, it’s rivals from other premium manufacturers that offer up some SUV/SAV competition to the iX, such as the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi Q8 e-tron, Mercedes EQC or EQE SUV, and the Tesla Model X. There's plenty more flagship electric SUVs on the way though, including the Polestar 3, Volvo EX90 and Lotus Eletre, all of which will be looking to give the iX a run for its money.
The xDrive40 model is the entry point into regular iX ownership and can manage up to 257 miles from a single charge of its 71kWh battery, while BMW claims the xDrive50 version is good for up to 380 miles between top-ups thanks to its bigger 105.2kWh battery. The xDrive40 is offered in both Sport or M Sport specifications, but the xDrive50 comes exclusively in M Sport trim at the moment.
Sitting at the top of the iX range is the standalone iX M60 performance model that pumps out 610bhp from its pair of electric motors for a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds. It also boasts an official range of up to 349 miles, although it’s eye-wateringly expensive at more than £119,000.
With prices starting from around £70,000, you'd expect the iX to feature decent levels of standard kit and it doesn’t disappoint; the entry-level xDrive40 in Sport trim gets 21-inch alloy wheels, four-zone climate control, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen running the eighth-generation of BMW's iDrive infotainment system, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Every model also comes with safety systems like BMW's Parking Assistant and Driving Assistant Professional.
Electric motor, drive and performance
While BMW’s all-electric iX3 SUV is based on the combustion-engined X3 model, the bigger iX uses a dedicated EV platform and the manufacturer’s fifth-generation eDrive electric motors. The revised motors are more efficient than the set-up found in the now-discontinued i3, and also allow the iX’s torque to be delivered more easily at higher speeds – so you shouldn’t see acceleration tail off as you push on.
If you view the iX in terms of raw power then all seems well, with the entry xDrive40 model offering 322bhp, and the 516bhp xDrive50 and 611bhp M60 providing progressively more gobsmacking levels of punch. What isn’t so great is the iX’s hefty 2.4-tonne kerbweight, which raises a question over the impact on its ride and handling.
Well, you needn’t worry, because the iX is superb to drive; surprisingly agile through the twisty stuff and providing decent steering feel, it offers bags of grip and fills you with confidence as you turn into a corner. The throttle is easy to modulate, too, whether you’re in slower town traffic or travelling more quickly down an A or B road.
The iX isn’t too shabby on longer motorway journeys, either, where you’ll notice just how quiet the cabin is. There’s no typical electric whine from the motors working away underneath and just the faintest undertone of wind noise when up to speed. All this, coupled with the iX’s ability to soak up almost any bump in the road, makes it difficult to find a negative aspect of how BMW’s flagship electric car drives.
While not a full-blown M division product, the M60 gets revised air suspension and even an augmented soundtrack through its Bowers & Wilkins sound system to amp up the excitement. In fast, sweeping bends, it has impervious grip and very little body roll, but sharper hairpins do expose the iX’s size and sheer weight.
Its steering responds quickly, but the suspension can’t quite keep up on occasion, even if this is a chassis that instils confidence. It’s not overly firm in Sport mode - some added edge over the regular iX may even be welcome – while its Efficiency drive mode setting is soft enough that the M60 squats on its rear under hard acceleration.
0-62mph acceleration and top speed
The iX range offers a sliding scale of acceleration times as you climb the range, with the entry 322bhp xDrive40 model laying down a 6.1-second sprint marker from 0-62mph. The xDrive50’s power output rises to 516bhp, along with an increase in torque – from 630Nm to 765Nm. 0-62mph is achieved in 4.6 seconds, while both cars have a top speed of 124mph.
Either of the core iX models should be more than quick enough for most, although if you’re after supercar-rivalling pace, then the 610bhp iX M60 should fit the bill. It dispatches the benchmark run in 3.8 seconds, with a 155mph maximum. It feels indecently fast for such a large SUV, and unlike some EVs that feel quick off the line but are all done at motorway speeds, the M60 just keeps on amassing speed. Throttle response is immediate, making overtaking no issue when you might think twice in a turbocharged or automatic SUV.
Range, charging and running costs
Depending on which model you go for, the iX features either a 71kWh or much larger 105.2kWh battery. The entry-level xDrive40 uses the smaller unit and, according to BMW, will cover 264 miles on a single charge. When we drove this particular model, it returned 3.0 miles per kilowatt-hour, which equates to a real-world range of around 230 miles, although we’d expect this to improve slightly in warmer weather.
Upgrading to the xDrive50 gets you the larger battery and boosts the luxury electric SUV's range up to 380 miles. We drove the iX xDrive50 during a typical British winter and based on our experience, it should offer not far shy of 300 miles in cooler conditions. Again though, like all electric cars, the range should improve in the warmer months.
The M60 gets the same 105.2kWh battery pack as the xDrive50, but with a reduced range of 349 miles as a result of its performance upgrades. That figure may be possible in Efficiency mode with careful driving and not in sub-zero temperatures like those we encountered during during our testing, however we saw the M60 achieve an extremely poor 1.8mi/kWh when we drove it; enough for a real-world range of just 189 miles.
In terms of charging, the xDrive40 can hit 150kW while the xDrive50 and M60 both have a maximum charging speed of 200kW. Regardless of which model you go for, a 10 to 80 per cent top-up will take a little over half an hour from a suitably fast ultra-rapid charger. Fully recharging the xDrive40’s 71kWh battery using a standard 7.4kW home wallbox will require 11 and a half hours, but that extends to nearly 17 hours if you go for the xDrive50 or M60.
Insurance groups
The iX is not going to be cheap to insure, as even the entry xDrive40 model sits in group 47 on the 1 to 50 scale. The xDrive50 and M60 are in group 50, although anyone spending in excess of £100k on their car is unlikely to be too concerned about pricey premiums.
In comparison, the Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes EQC are broadly similar, with models in groups 44 to 50.
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Depreciation
Luxury all-electric cars generally maintain solid residual values, although of course you’ll be paying out a sizable sum to buy one in the first place. The iX xDrive40 is the cheapest model in the range and also the slowest depreciator, holding onto around 59 per cent of its original list price over a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period. While this sounds a decent figure, it actually means the iX is expected to lose almost £30,000 of its original value after 36 months.
The more expensive xDrive50, in the popular M Sport trim, is now predicted to hold onto an average of 52 per cent of its value over the same three year period, which equates to a loss of around £49,000 compared to its original list price. Of course, most cars will almost certainly be on some form of lease agreement and not bought outright, but it’s worth bearing these depreciation costs in mind. The M60 is the fastest depreciating model in the range and is expected to hold onto just 47 per cent of its original value after the same ownership period.
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Interior, design and technology
While BMW has built a solid reputation for its engineering expertise over the years, the manufacturer has sometimes come in for criticism over its approach to the exterior design of its cars. The controversial styling of the 5 Series and 7 Series executive saloons in the early noughties did not go down well with buyers, while the polarising ‘flame surfacing’ of the Z4 roadster attracted a lot of criticism.
The iX signifies another design leap for BMW, with the bespoke all-electric SUV featuring lots of angular lines and bluff panels. Not to mention the elongated grille that has proven controversial. The overall look will probably divide opinion, but the iX definitely stands out against the more traditionally-styled Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes EQC.
A peek inside the cabin highlights why the iX is BMW’s all-electric flagship SUV – it oozes quality, with an ultra-modern feel and lots of soft-touch, suede-like materials in use across the dash and door cards. At first glance the seats look relatively flat, but soft centre padding means they’re both comfortable and supportive, while both the driver and passengers will appreciate the full-length ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light when fitted.
Two 14.5-inch curved screens take centre stage, while the standard Live Cockpit Professional media setup features a head-up display function and BMW’s latest iDrive system.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
At a time when almost every other car maker is moving exclusively to touchscreen inputs, BMW has chosen to keep the iDrive clickwheel input for its eighth-generation infotainment system. That’s a very good thing – it was, and still is, much easier to make adjustments on the move with these physical controls.
The displays themselves look spectacular. Two vast screens sit side-by-side within a gently curved pane that appears to float above the dash. The graphics are bright and stylish, loading times are incredibly quick, and the full-screen integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is one of the best we’ve seen.
One of the few criticisms we can level is down to key sizes. The main menu lists all of the functions on one screen; despite the huge screen size, the sheer number of sub-menus means that each is reduced to a small, fiddly icon. We’d prefer it if less important functions were relegated to a separate page.
Practicality, comfort and boot space
As well as feeling suitably luxurious, the BMW iX is also a practical family SUV. There is plenty of interior space with big door bins to store any odds and ends, while the sizable wireless smartphone charging pad is handily located below the iDrive controller making it easy to access – unlike with some other manufacturers who tuck the pad behind the centre console.
The cabin is a comfortable place in which to spend time, too, with standard kit including four-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and USB ports located in the front and rear. BMW’s Parking Assistant function is also included for all models, with the system being able to identify a suitable parking space and then take control to park your car automatically – a real boon for those not keen on parallel parking or navigating tight public car parks.
Size and dimensions
The iX is a large SUV measuring 4,953mm long and 2,230mm wide, making it a touch bigger overall than a BMW X5. Interestingly, while the mid-size BMW iX3 is a smaller car all-round, it actually has a bigger boot.
Leg room, head room and passenger space
Passengers in the iX will benefit from the EV’s excellent interior space, with plenty of knee room in the front and rear of the cabin. Being a bespoke all-electric car, the iX doesn’t have to accommodate a bulky transmission tunnel, which means the floor is completely flat and particularly benefits those in the rear seats.
Boot
While the iX’s 500-litre boot is a reasonable size, it’s by no means class-leading. The Mercedes EQE SUV offers 520 litres of boot space, while the Audi Q8 e-tron has a more family-friendly 569 litres. As we mentioned, even mid-size electric SUVs like BMW's own iX3 and the Tesla Model Y boast more luggage capacity than the flagship iX – 510 and 854 litres, respectively – although if you fold down the rear seats in the iX you can unlock a whopping 1,750 litres.
Towing
The maximum braked trailer towing capacity for the xDrive40 model is 2,100kg, although if you need to hitch up a bigger caravan, you may find that the xDrive50 or high-performance M60 versions are the better option as they're rated to tow up to 2,500kg.
Reliability and safety
Industry crash test body Euro NCAP awarded the BMW iX its highest five-star rating in 2021, with an impressive 91 per cent score for adult occupant protection and 87 per cent for child passenger protection. On-board safety assistance systems achieved a similarity impressive 87 per cent rating.
BMW’s Active Driving Assistant Pro package is offered as standard, and includes a host of semi-autonomous driving assistance aids. There is also a driver Attentiveness Assistant which monitors driver inputs for signs of fatigue and will flag a warning to take a break if necessary, while speed limit recognition technology is also part of the standard kit. Additional safety features are also available as part of the optional Visibility and Technology Plus packs, but these come as standard on the top-of-the-range M60 model.
The iX is too new to have featured in our 2022 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. BMW itself has seen some improvement in the manufacturer rankings – moving up from a 21st-place finish (out of 29 brands) in 2021, to 16th position in 2022. The best-placed model for the German automaker was the popular 3 Series saloon, although it still only managed 32nd spot on a 75-car list.
Warranty
BMW offers a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which includes free roadside assistance for the duration, while the high voltage battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Servicing
BMW offers an individual three-year service plan for its ‘i’ electric range – owners pay £15 per month over three years to cover all scheduled maintenance.
BMW iX xDrive50 long term test
Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler lived with a BMW iX for six months as part of our long-term fleet. Throughout this time he was highly impressed with the electric SUV’s sheer amount of comfort and technology. As you might expect, though, the only major downside was the divisive exterior design.
In Steve’s mind, the iX looks like something Star Wars supervillain Darth Vader would drive around in, and that’s not a good thing. But…that’s literally where his criticism ends. The large electric SUV is quite simply a great car. You can read the full long term test here...
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