BMW iX review: questionable looks but great everywhere else

BMW iX verdict

The BMW 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. 

This luxury electric SUV is currently one of the longest range electric cars 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

Although the BMW i3 was something of a pioneer for the mainstream electric car market when it arrived in 2013, it took a number of years for the Bavarian brand to introduce any other EVs to its line-up. Eventually, in 2021, an electric BMW onslaught occurred with the iX3, i4 and flagship iX all making their respective debuts.

Since then, even more models have arrived including the iX1 and iX2 SUVs, i5 executive saloon, and the luxurious i7 limousine, but the iX still sits at the top of the brand’s zero-emission tree.

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 lower roofline and a bit more of a futuristic look, though. 

Of course, we’re almost tripping over luxury electric SUVs in the current market, as both established brands and fledgling startups are pumping them out at a rate of knots. The iX’s key rivals include the Audi Q8 e-tron, Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace, as well as newcomers like the Lotus Eletre and Polestar 3.

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Three versions of the iX are available: the xDrive40, xDrive50 and 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 £71,000. 

There’s a choice of two trim levels for xDrive40: Sport and M Sport. Standard kit on the base model includes 21-inch alloy wheels along with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. There’s also plenty of safety systems such as 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, and it produces 516bhp from its two electric motors while boasting up to 383 miles of battery range thanks to its enormous 105.2kWh battery. This version also adds rear-wheel steering and air suspension. 

Finally, sitting at the top of the range is the £125,000 iX M60, which produces a mammoth 619bhp and 1,015Nm of torque, in addition to a 348-mile range, M air suspension, 22-inch alloys and some extra styling tweaks.

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...