BMW iX review

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 Eletre, Polestar 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.

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