BMW iX Review 2023
Written by Andy Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Exceptional refinement and noise levels
- Interior is futuristic and feels very spacious
- Very competitive electric range
Cons
- A BMW i4 is more fun to drive
- There are more affordable electric cars on the market
- It's hardly a looker, is it?
Overall verdict on the BMW iX
"The BMW iX is the brand's first bespoke electric vehicle since the i3 hit the market way back in 2013. And, while not everyone will like how it looks, we reckon it's been worth the wait. It's one of the most relaxing cars on sale today, while its interior is tech-packed yet practical and homely. Combine this with an excellent electric range (and hilarious performance from the range-topping iX M60) and the BMW iX is one of the most desirable electric vehicles on the market."
Whether it's through luck or judgement, BMW's waited until the right moment to launch its new BMW iX electric car. The arrival of the Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC a few years ago barely raised an eyebrow from premium SUV buyers, while the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X were both a bit ahead of their time.
But now the world seems to be ready to start taking plug-in cars seriously. The ongoing climate crisis combined with a global pandemic and national lockdowns means many of us are thinking twice about how we going about our daily business – including how we use our cars and how long we spend idling in traffic. Throw in a 2030 deadline for the ban on the sale of new conventional petrol or diesel cars in the UK, and it's no wonder that sales of electric vehicles are rocketing.
So what does the BMW iX do differently? Well, unlike the smaller BMW iX3, the iX has been designed from the outset as an electric car. That means it's cleverly packaged, cramming X7-like interior space into an X5-sized package. It also features fresh technology – including a new version of BMW's iDrive system, and a range of punchy powertrains.
The range is initially made up of BMW iX xDrive40 and xDrive50 models, each available in Sport or M Sport trim levels. The entry-level iX xDrive40 is powered by a 71kWh battery which provides an official range of up to 257 miles. An electric motor on each axle provides reassuring handling (although it's not as nimble as a Jaguar I-Pace), while 326PS and 630Nm of instant torque mean it feels rapid enough – even if it does lack the neck-breaking urgency of the fastest electric vehicles.
The BMW iX xDrive 50 comes with a bigger battery and a bigger range – it can officially travel 380 miles between charges, while its 4.6-second 0-62mph time means it feels more than sprightly. For the kind of performance that will hassle a Porsche Taycan, wait for the flagship BMW iX M60. With 619PS and a mammoth 1100Nm of torque, it covers 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
That kind of performance comes at a price, though, with the BMW iX M60 starting from £111,905 when it goes on sale in summer 2022. Lesser models are slightly more affordable, with the BMW iX xDrive40 Sport priced from £69,905 and the X xDrive50 M Sport starting from £91,905. It's all relative, of course, and there's no denying that you could save a lot of money by seeking out a more mainstream alternative like the Volkswagen ID.4 or Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The BMW iX is anything but mainstream, though. You only have to look at it to realise that – its designers have been deliberately daring and, while it won't be to everyone's tastes, it certainly turns more heads than, say, the more conventional BMW i4. It's certainly the most striking of any BMW electric car to date.
While you only need to glance at Twitter to see how quick people were to judge the iX's appearance, it's so impressive in pretty much every other area that we think it's quite easy to overlook its outlandish design. Besides, you'll be so comfortable in its isolated cabin that you won't care what everyone else thinks. Keep reading our BMW iX review for the full heycar verdict.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of BMW Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of BMW iX cars for sale.
Is the BMW iX right for you?
If you're looking for a practical electric SUV with a generous range and impressive performance, the BMW iX is up there with the best. It's expensive and not everyone will like how it looks, but there's not a lot else going against it.
What’s the best BMW iX model/engine to choose?
We're tempted to say the entry-level BMW iX xDrive40 is all the electric car you could possibly need, but some might find its 257-mile range to be lacking (especially when that's likely to drop below 200 miles in the real world). For that reason, the BMW iX xDrive50 (with its impressive 380-mile WLTP range) will be the one to have for many buyers.
What other cars are similar to the BMW iX?
The BMW iX is similar in size to the BMW X5 so, if you're not fully convinced about making the switch to an electric car, consider an X5 Plug-in Hybrid as a stepping stone. If you are ready to embrace electric motoring, there are numerous premium electric SUVs to choose from. These include the Audi e-tron, Mercedes EQC and Jaguar I-Pace. You might also want to look at the (slightly pricier) Tesla Model X.
Comfort and design: BMW iX interior
"While the BMW iX's exterior is going to divide opinion, there's very little to dislike about the interior. It's modern yet very neatly designed, without compromising functionality."
There's a lot of talk of 'lounge-like' interiors in electric cars. And the BMW iX's cabin certainly feels a bit like sitting in a posh version of Ikea. From the haptic input on the control panel to the crystal buttons on the doors for adjusting the seats, it represents a significant step up from the usual (already impressive) BMW interior.
The most controversial feature of the interior is probably the polygon steering wheel (some say it's named after a dead parrot...), but it's something you'll soon get used to very quickly. Besides, it's a long time since steering wheels were universally round.
The BMW iX's interior doesn't stray too far towards minimalism (that can't be said for all electric vehicles), but you might be disappointed to find that there aren't any physical buttons for the climate control system. There is a rotary dial for controlling the infotainment, though, while there's a voice assistant on hand to let you concentrate on driving.
The seats are big and comfortable, while there's loads of adjustment on hand to help you find a suitable driving position. Access is easy and, while you don't sit particularly high, the low window line provides an excellent view of your surroundings.
Quality and finish
The BMW iX's interior feels like it's of the highest quality – but this doesn't mean you have to compromise on your eco-credentials. The leather seats, for example, are tanned using natural materials including olive leaf extracts. The floor carpets are made from old fishing nets and other recycled materials.
There are a few hard plastics lower down in the cabin (where, generally, you won't be poking about too much) but everything you'll come into contact with will be satisfyingly soft-touch. For the ultimate in luxury, look for a BMW iX with the optional Comfort Plus Pack. This adds things such features as massaging front seats and soft-close doors.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the BMW iX
BMW has managed to work miracles with the infotainment system in the iX – not only does it look suitably modern (futuristic, even), it doesn't skimp on usability. It features a large, curved display that houses both the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
While it's all very digital, it's much more user-friendly than you'd get in a Tesla, for example. The graphics are ultra sharp, the responses are speedy and everything is laid out exactly as you'd expect. There's even a rotary controller on hand to allow for easier (and safer) navigation on the move. The BMW iX comes with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto, as well as the brand's Hey BMW intelligent personal assistant.
All BMW iX models come with a Harmon Kardon sound system as standard, but audiophiles should consider the optional Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. This adds integrated speakers to the headrests as well as a 4D audio function using bass shakers in the front seats.
Space and practicality: BMW iX boot space
With a deep dashboard, flat floor and space in front of the centre console, the BMW iX feels a lot more spacious than the smaller BMW iX3. While there's loads of room up front, you don't sit particularly high up, although there's space to crank up the driver's seat if you really want that commanding driving position.
Knee room is at a premium in the back, but it generally feels pretty spacious back there too. There's loads of headroom – even with the panoramic sunroof. Anyone sitting in the middle seat might be lacking shoulder room, but a flat floor means they'll have somewhere to put their feet.
With 500 litres of luggage space available, the BMW iX is just as practical as rivals, although it can't compete with a petrol or diesel BMW X5's 650-litre boot. There's no 'frunk', either – a useful extra storage space found in the front of the car like you'll find in some electric vehicles.
While access to the boot is fairly high, a false floor means there isn't a lip for hoisting things over. Underneath, there's a bit of a cellar for hiding things away (the charging cables, perhaps). There are switches near the boot opening for easy dropping of the rear seats should you need to increase luggage space and they do provide a fairly flat floor.
Handling and ride quality: What is the BMW iX like to drive?
"Like any electric SUV, the BMW iX is a big, heavy car. That means it's going to be compromised in the way it handles corners and deals with bumpy roads – but it's no less agile than an Audi e-tron or Mercedes EQC."
One issue with the BMW iX is it's almost too refined. Turn off the Hans Zimmer soundtrack and there's next to no noise in the cabin – you're properly isolated from the outside world. You could be barrelling towards a corner and you'll only realise quite how fast you're going once you glance down at the speedo.
Still, the electric motors will shift power around to ensure there's plenty of grip. The batteries are mounted low down, which reduces the amount of sway in bends, but the steering is a little on the light side for our tastes. Ultimately, if you're wanting an electric car that's genuinely fun to drive, you might want to look at the BMW i4 instead.
Despite its considerable dimensions, it's easy to drive the BMW iX around town. That's partly down to the amount of tech on offer – you get a host of parking assistance features as standard, including a reversing camera and a self-parking feature (you control the brake and accelerator while the car steers itself into a space).
Comfort levels are excellent – even though our BMW iX xDrive40 test car isn't equipped with the air suspension that's standard on the iX xDrive50. You'll notice a slight pattering over broken road surfaces, but the ride is still pretty impressive for a car that weighs nearly 2500kg (and comes with 21-inch wheels as standard).
What motors and batteries are available in the BMW iX?
The BMW iX range kicks off with the xDrive40, which combines a 71kWh battery with an electric motor on each axle to provide a total of 326PS and 630Nm of torque. This is the only BMW iX we've sampled so far but, frankly, it left us wondering why you'd want anything more – with 326PS and 630Nm, it can accelerate to 62mph in a pretty hasty 6.1 seconds, while top speed is limited to 124mph.
Next in the range is the BMW iX xDrive50 with its 105kWh battery. The main advantage of this is a longer range (see below for exact figures), but it's also quicker than the iX xDrive40. With 523PS and 765Nm of torque, it can sprint to 62mph in 4.6 seconds.
If you want M-car performance from your electric SUV, the new BMW iX M60 has a peak power output of 619PS and a hilarious 1100Nm of torque. As such, it covers 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
Maximum electric range in the BMW iX
With its bigger battery, the BMW iX xDrive50 has an official range of up to 380 miles, while the BMW iX xDrive40 will be able to cover up to 257 miles on a single charge. When it arrives, the BMW iX M60 will have a range of up to 357 miles.
These are all fair old distances for an electric car, making the BMW iX competitive against even the longest range EVs. For comparison, the Tesla Model X has a range of up to 348 miles, the Jaguar I-Pace can cover up to 292 miles while the Audi e-tron manages just 252 miles.
As with any EV, the real-world range of a BMW iX will change depending on how it's used. It's likely to travel further when driven around town in the summer, compared to motorway driving in the winter. We're yet to spend an extended period with the BMW iX to see how it fares in day-to-day use.
Refinement and noise levels
If you're looking for a relaxing SUV that will isolate you from the outside world, the BMW iX will utterly spoil you. There obviously isn't a rumble from the engine, but it also does an incredible job of hiding wind and road noise. You're guaranteed to reach your destination feeling utterly relaxed.
There's one tiny little caveat and that's the specially composed drive sound. Developed by movie composer Hans Zimmer, this replaces the traditional engine sound of a petrol or diesel car. A lot of people seem to quite like it, but it's not really for us. Fortunately, you can turn it off if it's not your thing.
Safety equipment: How safe is the BMW iX?
As you'd expect for a flagship electric vehicle, the BMW iX is loaded with technology to help prevent a collision – or at least reduce the severity. This includes a front collision warning system with brake intervention that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. In addition, the automatic emergency braking system also reacts in turning situations, helping to minimise the risk to pedestrians when turning and the risk of collision with oncoming traffic when turning left.
Other standard features of the BMW iX include an attention assistant, lane departure warning and speed limit recognition. The Driving Assistant Professional package is offered as an option, which also includes steering and lane guidance assistance.
The BMW iX was awarded five stars when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2021.
Charging times: How much does it cost to charge the BMW iX?
"Don't even think about using a three-pin socket to charge your BMW iX – a full charge will take several days. Instead, get a professional 7.4kW wallbox installed and you can fully charge it overnight."
With its smaller battery, the BMW iX xDrive40 can be charged from 0 to 100% in around 11 hours using a home charger, while the xDrive50 will take 16 hours.
Out on the road, a powerful public rapid charger can top the BMW iX xDrive50 up at a rate of 195kW, while the iX xDrive40 can take 150kW. That means the battery charge can be increased from 10 to 80% in a little over half an hour.
If you're expecting to regular cover long journeys, you might be better considering the Tesla Model X (or upcoming Model Y). These have access to Tesla's seamless Superchargers, meaning you won't have to waste time getting to grips with a variety of different (often unreliable) public charging networks. To counter this, BMW offers access to BP Pulse and Ionity Pulse subscriptions for free during the first 12 months of ownership.
How reliable is a BMW iX?
As it's a very new car, we haven't heard of any reliability issues with the BMW iX. The brand generally performs well for reliability, although its 20th place ranking (out of 30) in the 2021 HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index was a little underwhelming. Electric cars are generally very reliable, though, with few moving parts to go wrong and affordable servicing costs.
Insurance groups and costs
If you're a new or inexperienced driver, it might be worth doing some research into insurance prices for the BMW iX. It's rated quite highly – in insurance group 47 for xDrive40 Sport and M Sport models, while the BMW iX xDrive50 is in insurance group 50 – the highest category.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a BMW iX?
As the BMW iX is a pure-electric vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions, you won't pay a penny in road tax. You're even exempt from the usual premium car tax – a £335/year surcharge for cars with a list price of more than £40,000. That means you could save quite a lot of money in tax by buying an electric car like the BMW iX.
How much should you be paying for a BMW iX?
"Prices start from £69,905 for the BMW iX xDrive40 Sport. That means it's slightly more expensive than the Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC, but it undercuts the Tesla Model X by quite some margin."
From launch, a BMW iX xDrive40 M Sport is priced from £72,905, while the more powerful xDrive50 is priced from £91,905 in Sport trim. The BMW iX xDrive50 M Sport is £94,905, while the range-topping BMW iX M60 will start from £111,905 when it goes on sale later in 2022.
The BMW iX certainly isn't a bargain, and we reckon high demand will keep prices on the used market high, too. That said, there are already some pre-registered or ex-demo examples advertised on heycar with savings off list price.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Buyers get the choice of BMW iX Sport and M Sport trim levels.
Standard equipment on the BMW iX Sport includes the brand's Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Professional and storage for wireless charging, climate comfort windscreen, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and Shadow Line exterior trim.
The BMW iX M Sport looks a bit more purposeful, with a different style of 21-inch alloy wheels, while the exterior is set off with the Aerodynamics pack comprising of M Sport front apron, side apron, rear apron and diffuser, and air curtain. Dark taillight glass completes the appearance of the M Sport, while M Sport brakes and an Anthracite roof lining are also included.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
How much is the new BMW iX?
What is the electric range of a BMW iX?
Is the BMW iX the same size as the X5?
Bmw Ix cars for sale on heycar
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