In-depth reviews

BMW iX review

BMW's flagship electric SUV has love-it-or-hate-it styling, but to drive, the iX is a thoroughly impressive all-rounder that gives the Tesla Model X a run for its money

Overall rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Great to drive
  • Impressive range
  • Masses of space inside

Cons

  • Divisive styling
  • Relatively small boot
  • Takes up to 17 hours to recharge

Model

Range

Wallbox charge time

Rapid charge time

xDrive40

264 miles

11hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW)

31mins (10-80%, 150kW)

xDrive50

382 miles

16hrs 45mins (0-100%, 7.4kW)

34mins (10-80%, 200kW)

M60

348 miles

16hrs 45mins (0-100%, 7.4kW)

34mins (10-80%, 200kW)

BMW iX verdict

The iX is a true technical showcase and a worthy flagship for BMW’s electric line-up. You’ll either love or hate the styling, but there is no arguing against the iX’s luxurious interior, outstanding on-board technology and class-leading levels of comfort. Every model gets dual motors, plus impressive performance; for a car of this size, the iX is great to drive. 

The luxury electric SUV even offers one of the longest ranges of any EV currently on sale, so paired with its fantastic refinement, the iX is able to eat up long motorway journeys like few rivals. You will of course have to pay a lot to buy one though, and boot space isn’t as generous as we might like.

Range details, specs and alternatives

BMW introduced its first electric vehicle, the i3 city car, in 2013. Now, a decade later, the premium German marque’s EV onslaught has picked up pace. In fact, BMW has launched five new electric cars in the past two years alone – spanning everything from the i4 and i5 saloons and iX3 family SUV, to the i7 luxury limousine and iX1 crossover. But, sitting at the top of the brand's zero-emissions tree, is the iX luxury SUV: BMW’s first pure-electric car since the aforementioned i3.

The iX has near-enough the same footprint on the road as a BMW X5, and like that car, has been labelled as a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) by its makers. The iX has a significantly lower roofline and overall is far more futuristically styled, however. 

Of course, we’re almost tripping over ultra-premium electric SUVs these days, as both established brands and newly-founded startups are pumping them out at a rate of knots. The iX’s key rivals at the moment include the recently-facelifted Audi Q8 e-tron, plus the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace, the Mercedes EQC and its slightly bigger sibling, the Mercedes EQE. But newcomers like the Lotus EletrePolestar 3 and Volvo EX90 will all have BMW’s flagship EV in their crosshairs, too.

Three versions of the iX are available: the xDrive40, the xDrive50 and the range-topping M60, all of which feature two motors for all-wheel drive. The entry-level xDrive40 is equipped with a 71kWh battery for a range of up to 264 miles, with prices from around £70,000. 

There’s a choice of two trim levels for this version: Sport and M Sport. Standard kit on the base model includes 21-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen, as well as BMW safety systems like parking assistant and driving assistant professional. Upgrading to M Sport spec adds sportier styling, upgraded wheels and brakes, plus exclusive interior trim options and dark headlining. 

The xDrive50 is only available in M Sport trim at the moment, but produces 516bhp from its two electric motors and boasts a 380-odd-mile range thanks to its enormous 105.2kWh battery. This version also adds rear-wheel steering and air suspension, too. 

Finally, sitting at the top of the range is the £120,000 iX M60, which produces a mammoth 611bhp and 1,100Nm of torque, in addition to a 348-mile range, M air suspension, 22-inch alloys and some extra styling tweaks.

Partnership
Need to sell your car?
Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

Click here to see why you can trust DrivingElectric reviews, and for more on the BMW iX, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...

Welcome one and all, I’m Ellis the news reporter on Auto Express, the brand’s former online reviews editor and contributor to DrivingElectric. I’m proud to say I cut my teeth reporting and reviewing all things EV as the content editor on DrivingElectric. I joined the team while completing my master’s degree in automotive journalism at Coventry University and since then I’ve driven just about every electric car and hybrid I could get my hands on.

Most Popular

Morgan Super3 XP-1 is an electric three-wheeler
Morgan XP-1 - front
News

Morgan Super3 XP-1 is an electric three-wheeler

Morgan’s latest prototype previews an all-electric version of its Super3 three-wheeler
6 Dec 2023
MINI Cooper Electric: pricing and specs for British-built electric supermini
MINI Cooper Electric - header
News

MINI Cooper Electric: pricing and specs for British-built electric supermini

MINI’s latest electric hatchback introduces a revolutionary interior design, as well as larger batteries to provide a 250-mile range
6 Dec 2023
Kia EV9 review: here’s why it’s our Car of the Year
Kia EV9 - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Kia EV9 review: here’s why it’s our Car of the Year

As posh as it is palatial, the Kia EV9 sets a new standard for large mainstream SUVs while offering a strong and accurate electric range to boot
11 Dec 2023

More on iX

Top 10 best electric SUVs 2023
Best electric SUVs
Best cars

Top 10 best electric SUVs 2023

Electric SUVs combine style and practicality with low running costs, making them a very popular choice in the UK. Here are our top 10 favourites to bu…
27 Oct 2023
Top 10 longest range electric cars 2023
Longest range header
Best cars

Top 10 longest range electric cars 2023

Avoid range anxiety by choosing one of these: the longest-range electric cars you can buy in the UK right now
23 Aug 2023
Top 10 best 4WD electric cars 2023
Best 4WD electric cars header
Best cars

Top 10 best 4WD electric cars 2023

Whether you’re looking to venture off-road, or just want some extra assurance in the winter months, we list the best four-wheel-drive electric cars on…
14 Aug 2023
Top 10 best luxury electric cars 2023
Best luxury EVs header
Best cars

Top 10 best luxury electric cars 2023

From Mercedes to MINI, here are our top picks of the most luxurious zero-emissions motoring options on the market right now...
14 Apr 2023
​Top 10 fastest-depreciating electric and hybrid cars 2023
Smart EQ family
Best cars

​Top 10 fastest-depreciating electric and hybrid cars 2023

These are the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars that lose the most value – opening up the potential for keen secondhand bargains
29 Mar 2023
Twin test: BMW iX vs Audi e-tron Sportback
BMW iX vs Audi e-tron
Reviews

Twin test: BMW iX vs Audi e-tron Sportback

The striking-looking BMW iX takes on Audi’s sleek e-tron Sportback in a premium electric SUV showdown
25 Feb 2022
New BMW iX electric SUV: prices, specs and range-topping M60 model
BMW iX M60
BMW iX

New BMW iX electric SUV: prices, specs and range-topping M60 model

Three versions of the iX are now available, with a new top-of-the-range M60 version capable of 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and up to 357 miles on a charge
4 Jan 2022