BMW iX Review 2024

The BMW iX is the brand's first bespoke electric car since the i3 was launched way back in 2013. It's about the size of a BMW X5, has a range of up to 380 miles and is set to compete with the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC.

Let's start by dealing with the elephant in the room: the BMW iX does, indeed, look a bit... out there. But who spends this kind of money and wants to blend in? We almost admire it alongside relatively anonymous alternatives and, give it time, we reckon it won't look quite so offensive in the metal.

Besides, you can't see it from the inside. And the BMW iX's cabin is pure luxury. Unlike the exterior, it's not different for the sake of being different – but you do get a unusually-shaped steering wheel and interior finishes made from recycled fishing nets.

Thanks to the positioning of the batteries under the floor, the cabin's extremely spacious, while a low window line (and optional panoramic sunroof) means it feels bright and cheerful. You don't sit particularly high up, but the seats are comfortable and a flat floor adds to the feeling of space.

From launch, there are two main models available: the BMW iX xDrive40 and the xDrive50. Both are four-wheel drive (thanks to an electric motor on each axle), while each are powered by different-sized batteries.

We've only driven the BMW iX xDrive40 so far and, while it's not going to shove you back in your seat like a lot of electric cars do, we actually respect that. It's a very comfortable and relaxing electric SUV, with enough power on hand to get you out of sticky situations.

If you do want enough power to bait Tesla owners, a range-topping model is on its way. Badged the BMW iX M60, this features 619PS and an incredible 1100Nm of torque – meaning it'll surge to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds.

No matter which BMW iX takes your fancy, you're going to need deep pockets. Prices start from around £70,000, with the range topping out at nearly £112,000 for the iX M60. There's no plug-in car grant at this level, but at least you'll save money on VED (car tax) and, of course, petrol costs.

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's BMW iX review

The BMW iX's cabin feels very spacious – more like the bigger X7 in fact, rather than the similarly-sized BMW X5. That's helped by a large windscreen and a deep dashboard, while the optional panoramic sunroof of our test car added to the feeling of space.

Getting in and out is easy, while there's load of headroom. This means you can crank up the seat if you want to lord it over other motorists. There isn't a centre tunnel running along the length of the car, while there's even open space left in front of the stylish centre console.

Three adults can be squeezed into the back without too much of a fuss (providing they're happy to rub shoulders), while large side windows afford passengers a good view out.

The boot can take 500 litres of luggage, which isn't as big as an X5's but is comparable to electric alternatives. There's a fake floor, which reduces the height of the lip for lifting items over. Underneath, there's a useful storage area which could be use to keep your charging cables hidden away – although, with a big boot, it's not as useful as keeping them in a 'frunk' (front boot). Unfortunately, this isn't available on the iX.

BMW knows how to make an impressive interior, and it certainly hasn't compromised on quality with its flagship electric SUV. It's similar to the cabin you'll find in cars like the BMW X5, albeit with some extra neat finishes and fancy technology.

What's even more impressive is the iX's interior takes a sustainable approach. You'll find FSC-approved wood in there, as well as leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and carpets made from recycled fishing nets. But you can't tell – none of the materials look out of place, while pretty much everything feels soft to touch. You'll find a few hard plastics low down in the cabin, but these just feel like they'll stand years of being kicked and stood on.

All BMW iX models come with an impressive, curved screen which stretches across from the centre of the dashboard to behind the steering wheel. It's actually made up of two separate screens – a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The graphics on the central infotainment system are ultra sharp, while responses are quick and it's an easy system to navigate. Like most BMW models, the IX comes with a rotary controller which can easily be used by the driver's left hand – making it much easier (and safer) to scroll through submenus on the move.

If you're more used to shouting at Siri or asking Alexa, you can also use the 'hey BMW' intelligent personal assistant. This will even understand vague requests such as 'I'm cold' or 'take me home'.

The cheapest BMW iX you can buy is the xDrive40 Sport. From launch, this is priced at £69,905, while the M Sport version is £72,905.

There's quite a big step up to the xDrive50, which is priced from £91,905 in Sport trim and £94,905 as an M Sport. That's serious wedge.

When it arrives in summer 2022, the BMW iX M60 will set you back £111,905. Ouch.

Of course, being a new in-demand electric vehicle means prices are strong on the used market, too. Still, if you're happy to consider a nearly-new or pre-registered model, you might be able to make a small saving over list price.

While the BMW iX won't be cheap to buy, its running costs ought to be fairly low. There's no VED (road tax) to pay, for example, while you obviously won't have to visit a petrol station ever again.

Buy a BMW iX with the smaller 71kWh battery (that's the entry-level xDrive40) and it'll cost you around £12 for a full charge at home (depending on your electricity tariff). A full charge will take around 11 hours using a 7.4kW home wallbox.

The BMW iX xDrive40 can officially travel 257 miles on an charge, which is a lot more than many more affordable electric cars. If you wish to travel further and don't want to stop for a top-up, look for a bigger battery model.

The iX xDrive50 and the M60 both use a 105kWh pack which takes around 16 hours for a full charge at home. This'll cost you around £18 for a full charge which, according to official WLTP figures, will get you 380 miles of range in the xDrive50 and 357 miles from the M60.

BMW makes some of the best handling cars in the business – but the BMW iX isn't one of them. And we think that's a good thing.

Exceptional handling usually comes at the expense of comfort. And when you're developing a 2.5-tonne electric SUV, you'll need to take quite a lot of comfort away in order to improve agility. Especially when paired with 21- or 22-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres.

That's not to say the BMW iX is wayward. Part of the issue is that it's so refined, you're isolated from quite how fast you're going. You'll get to a bend quicker than you realise, attempt to take it a lot faster than you would in a petrol car, and suddenly find the steering questioning your senses.

It'll get around the corner, though. There's plenty of grip on offer (all BMW iX models are four-wheel drive) – it'll just roll about more than, say, a BMW i4.

The flip side of that is the excellent ride quality. The most expensive models come with air suspension, but even the standard springs of our BMW iX xDrive40 M Sport test car cope with uneven road surfaces very well.

There'll soon be three different BMW iX models to choose from: the xDrive40, xDrive50 and the range-topping M60.

We've driven the entry-level BMW iX xDrive40 and found that it offered more than enough performance. OK, its 6.1-second 0-62mph time isn't going to bait performance cars, but it's rapid enough for an EV with a focus on comfort.

With 523PS and 765Nm of torque, the BMW iX xDrive50 offers a bit much of a punch, scampering to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. For the ultimate performance, the BMW iX M60 packs 619PS and an epic 1100NM of torque – meaning it'll sprint to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Pretty impressive for an electric SUV of this size and weight.

Euro NCAP awarded the BMW iX five star for safety when it was tested in 2021.

Standard driver-assistance tech includes an autonomous emergency braking system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists. It can react in turning situations, too, to reduce the risk of a collision when turning across oncoming traffic.

The Driving Assistant Professional package is offered as an option, adding steering and lane guidance assistance.

The BMW iX can officially tow a braked trailer weighing up to 2500kg, which is very impressive for an electric vehicle. That's more than competitors (including the Tesla Model X), and ought to be enough to lug a heavy twin-axle caravan.

Standard equipment on the BMW iX Sport includes 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 features 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.