Item: BMW iX
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The entry-level&nbsp;BMW iX xDrive40 is priced broadly in line with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a> 55 Quattro, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a> EV400 and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqc/4x4/review/n19377">Mercedes EQC</a> 400. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;range-topping xDrive50 is priced more in line with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>.

All these <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-suvs-2021/n23038">electric SUVs</a> make a huge amount of sense for company car drivers because of the enormous savings in benefit-in-kind <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/check-your-company-car-tax-rate/n1255">(BIK)</a> tax savings on offer. You're also likely to&nbsp;spend a lot less on electricity than you would on petrol or diesel.&nbsp;

The 71kWh battery in the xDrive40 can’t charge at the same fast rate as the 105kWh battery of the xDrive50 (up to 150kW, compared with 200kW). Both can be charged from 10-80% in just over half an hour, though, assuming you can find a public CCS charger that can deliver enough power.

Anyone planning to do long journeys on a regular basis would do well to consider the Model X, which gives you access to the US brand’s widespread Supercharger network for more reliable fast charging.

The iX is available in two trim levels: Sport and M Sport. Sport gives you plenty of luxuries, including 21in aerodynamic alloys, full-LED headlights (laserlights are optional), a 12-speaker Harman Kardon&nbsp;sound system, four-zone climate control, wireless phone-charging, a leather-look upholstery called SensaTec and the 14.9in infotainment display. M Sport gets you sportier-looking 21in wheels, some bronze exterior highlights and blue seatbelts.

We’d recommend the reasonably priced Comfort Pack. This adds keyless entry, adjustable lumbar support, a massage function for the front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Independent testing by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> revealed the iX to be one of the safest premium electric cars&nbsp;and it scored the full five-star rating.&nbsp;It beat the E-tron, I-Pace and Model X for child occupant protection, although it didn’t score quite as well as the Model X for adult occupant protection.

It’s too early to be sure how reliable the iX will be, but <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> as a brand finished in 13th place (out of 30 manufacturers) in our 2021 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n23418">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>. That’s above all the other brands mentioned in this review.

A three-year, unlimited mileage warranty is provided as standard, and the&nbsp;battery pack gets a separate warranty for eight years or 100,000 miles.

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The BMW iX may be the result of some complex engineering, but the model line-up is refreshingly simple.

It kicks off with the 321bhp xDrive40. This version has an official range of 257 miles from its&nbsp;71kWh battery and it's quick:&nbsp;in our own tests it managed&nbsp;0-60mph in 5.7 seconds.&nbsp;Mind you, on the same day, we timed an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a> 55 quattro doing the same 0-60mph run in 5.5sec, while we’ve previously timed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a> taking just 4.8sec.&nbsp;

It’s not just speed where the xDrive40 falls behind the curve, either, because its battery performance is rather disappointing for a cutting-edge <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-suvs-2021/n23038">electric SUV</a>. In real-world conditions (admittedly on a chilly November day), the efficiency of our&nbsp;test car equated to a real-world range of just&nbsp;178 miles.

Granted, the E-tron 55 wasn’t much better at 182 miles, but that car has been on sale a lot longer. If you need to go further on a charge, you'll get more than 200 miles from an I-Pace on a similarly cold day.&nbsp;

So, if you’re considering an iX as a luxury SUV to cover big miles in, the xDrive40 doesn't quite cut the mustard. You’ll want to step up to the xDrive50 model with its larger 105kWh battery and impressive 380-mile official range. With 516bhp and a whopping 564ft lb of torque channelled through the advanced four-wheel drive system, even a small flex of your right foot is enough to fire you towards the horizon very quickly.&nbsp;

Its official 0-62mph time of 4.6sec is impressive, but it won’t be the fastest iX. That honour will go to the M60 version coming soon. It’ll have 610bhp on tap and hurtle to 62mph in 3.8sec. We'll let you know what it's like once we've had the chance to drive one.

Despite an impressive turn of pace, the iX is not an SUV that particularly enjoys being hustled down a tight and twisty B-road. You’ll feel its weight when you turn into a corner at speed and the steering is uncharacteristically light for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a>.

Ultimately, if you want a more nimble electric SUV,&nbsp;the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/ix3/4x4/review/n22236">BMW iX3</a> and I-Pace are better bets, but the iX is hardly a wallowy barge.

One trump card the iX does hold over rivals is comfort – especially in xDrive50 form. The range-topper gets air suspension, which helps&nbsp;it deal with lumps and bumps better than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqc/4x4/review/n19377">Mercedes EQC</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>, and puts it roughly on a par with the E-tron. The xDrive40 does without air suspension and its ride is a little more unsettled as a result.

The iX is seriously quiet, too – there's&nbsp;hardly any motor whine (unlike in the E-tron) while wind and road noise is very well muted. In fact,&nbsp;it's one of the quietest cars we’ve ever tested.&nbsp;

The regenerative braking (which recovers energy to top up the battery as you slow down) is also mightily impressive. It can be set to an automatic mode, or you can choose high, medium or low settings.

In auto, the iX uses data from the navigation system and onboard sensors to judge when to ramp up the effect. If you need to use the brake pedal to slow down faster, you'll find it easy to judge how much pressure to apply to keep things smooth, something that isn't the case in an I-Pace.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

This entry-level model is plenty quick enough, but the range between charges is disappointing and it can't charge up very quickly.

http://example.com

xDrive40

240kw-xdrive40

OUR PICK

This range-topping variant combines impressive acceleration (0-62mph takes just 4.6sec) with a long range between charges. If you can afford it, this is the iX to go for.

xDrive50

385kw-xdrive50

The BMW iX&nbsp;is unquestionably the most radical and technologically advanced BMW electric car since the i3 was revealed almost a decade ago.

The i3, with its lightweight carbon-fibre construction and fancy rear-hinged back doors, showed that electric cars were more than just white goods – they could be lusted after. Yet it was perhaps ahead of its time, and wasn't the big sales hit many expected.&nbsp;

BMW seems to have picked the perfect moment to launch the iX, though. It's now&nbsp;generally accepted that electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, and car buyers are becoming more and more accepting of this&nbsp;by the day.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AKnANDnGEhU" width="560"></iframe>

Like the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i3/hatchback/review/n14">BMW i3</a>, the iX has been constructed using a&nbsp;generous dose of aluminium, high-strength steel and plastic&nbsp;reinforced with carbon-fibre.

Power comes from a 71kWh battery in the ‘entry-level’ iX xDrive 40 or a huge 105kWh one in the range-topping xDrive50. Both versions have four-wheel drive, with an electric motor&nbsp;on each axle.&nbsp;

As well as using clever materials, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> says the&nbsp;iX offers a new level of connectivity, which includes 5G and cloud technology. A future software update will allow the car to&nbsp;steer, accelerate and brake for itself in certain situations (you'll need to keep your hands on the wheel, though).&nbsp;

The BMW iX doesn't have the luxury <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-suvs-2021/n23038">electric SUV</a>&nbsp;market all to itself, of course. Its main rivals are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a>, but there's also&nbsp;the pricier&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>&nbsp;to consider.

Over the next few pages of this review, we’ll let you know how it compares with those other electric cars, as well as rating the BMW iX for its driving manners, interior quality, running costs and other important factors.

And when you've finished reading, remember&nbsp;that we could help you save thousands of pounds on your next new car if you use our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>.&nbsp;

The interior of the iX will feel immediately familiar to anyone who has been in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i3/hatchback/review/n14">BMW&nbsp;i3</a>&nbsp;– and that’s a very good thing indeed.

Upmarket&nbsp;materials have been used throughout, including sustainably sourced&nbsp;wood, microfibre fabrics and pleasingly robust-feeling recycled plastics. It's distinctly premium, blending some of the visual appeal you get in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqc/4x4/review/n19377">Mercedes EQC</a>&nbsp;with the build quality of an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a>.&nbsp;

The iX is also fitted with the latest and greatest BMW iDrive infotainment system. It combines a huge&nbsp;curved display featuring a 14.9in infotainment touchscreen right next to&nbsp;a 12.3in digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel. The system has logically laid out menus, pin-sharp graphics and lightning-quick responses, plus the added convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay so you can run your phone apps through the screen.

We’re also thrilled that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> has decided to shun the trend for touchscreen-only&nbsp;infotainment system. You can control it by touch when parked up, but there's also&nbsp;a rotary controller between the front seats, which is a far less distracting method when you're driving. There's also a&nbsp;natural speech voice control function, which works well most of the time.

It’s not all good news, though. There are no physical buttons for the climate control, so&nbsp;to adjust the interior temperature you need to either use&nbsp;the touchscreen or&nbsp;voice control function (we’d recommend the latter).&nbsp;

Getting comfortable in the iX is easy. The steering wheel and driver’s seat offer plenty of adjustment and the fundamental driving position is superb. You don’t sit as high up as you do in say, a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X7</a>, but the window line is low, giving you great visibility ahead&nbsp;and to the sides.

Rear visibility is more restricted due to the chunky rear pillars, but you get a reversing camera and sensors all round as standard.

BMW offers a number of optional packs that include everything from an electrochromic glass panoramic roof that can turn opaque at the touch of a button to an interior camera that can capture road-trip memories.

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

This large and luxurious&nbsp;electric SUV combines breathtaking pace with super-hushed cruising manners

The BMW iX has been designed from the ground up to be an electric vehicle (unlike the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/ix3/4x4/review/n22236">BMW iX3</a>) so the floor of the interior is completely flat.

That, combined with a recessed centre console (between driver and passenger) and a dashboard that 'floats' on a deeply scalloped base, means there's loads of legroom in the front. There’s no problem with head room, either, because of the&nbsp;high roofline.&nbsp;

There's also an impressive amount of storage dotted around the interior. That includes a large glovebox and&nbsp;partitioned door bins, and the centre console has a wireless phone-charging pad, two USB-C sockets, a 12V socket, two big cupholders, a small cubby for keys and a larger cubby for other essentials.&nbsp;

The flat floor means the iX has plenty of legroom in the rear for&nbsp;all three passengers, and they each have loads of headroom, too – even more than you get in the cavernous <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a>. The tall side windows and optional panoramic roof help give the iX a really airy feel in the back.

You can adjust the angle of the rear seatbacks but, like the E-tron and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a>,&nbsp;the iX isn't available as a seven-seater. If you need to carry more than four passengers you'll need to look at&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>.

Boot space is rather disappointing at 500 litres below the parcel shelf – less than you get in all of&nbsp;the rivals we've mentioned so far.&nbsp;The rakish tailgate reduces the effective length of the load bay and doesn’t open as high as we'd like. If you're tall, you'll need to duck&nbsp;to gain access to the boot when the car is backed up&nbsp;against a kerb.&nbsp;

The boot floor is at least a useful square shape and we managed to fit a respectable eight carry-on suitcases below the tonneau cover – one more than we could squeeze in the&nbsp;I-Pace and the same tally as the E-tron and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqc/4x4/review/n19377">Mercedes EQC</a>&nbsp;swallowed. The rear seats can be dropped in a convenient 40/20/40 configuration by pressing&nbsp;buttons on the wall of the boot.

Sport Edition

sport-edition

M Sport Edition

m-sport-edition

The BMW iX is beautifully appointed inside, plus it’s spacious, quick and extremely quiet on the move. If you’re considering an iX as your main family car, we’d avoid the entry-level xDrive40 because its real-world range is rather restrictive. For the money, the Audi E-tron 55 and Jaguar I-Pace are better buys. However, if you can afford it, the range-topping xDrive50 is well worth a look, thanks to a much longer range, a smoother ride and the ability to charge up more quickly. 

This class is all about SUVs that run purely on electricity. No petrol, no diesel and not even any hybrid technology.

Relatively low-cost options include the MG ZS EV, but you can easily spend three times as much on more luxurious alternatives, such as the BMW iX.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Electric SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals. These cars qualify for the maximum plug-in car grant (PICG) of £3500.

The Renault Zoe is one of the most affordable options and has a surprisingly long range of between 120 and 180 miles (depending on the weather and the road type). However, the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf are more practical and more accomplished to drive, even if the latter doesn't have a particularly long range between charges.

At the other end of the scale, Tesla’s ground-up EV philosophy – and the American brand’s own network of super-fast chargers – makes the Model S a tempting choice. It has seating for up to seven, an classy interior and a long enough real-world range to make inter-city travel a real possibility.

Electric

BMW iX review

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Read review covering BMW iX boot space, size and dimensions, front and rear seat comfort by the expert What Car? test team.

The BMW iX has been designed from the ground up to be an electric vehicle (unlike the smaller BMW iX3) so the floor of the interior is completely flat.,That, combined with a recessed centre console (between driver and passenger) and a dashboard that 'floats' on a deeply scalloped base, means there's loads of legroom in the front. There’s no problem with head room, either, because of the high roofline. ,There's also an impressive amount of storage dotted around the interior. That includes a large glovebox and partitioned door bins, and the centre console has a wireless phone-charging pad, two USB-C sockets, a 12V socket, two big cupholders, a small cubby for keys and a larger cubby for other essentials. The flat floor means the iX has plenty of legroom in the rear for all three passengers, and they each have loads of headroom, too – even more than you get in the cavernous Audi E-tron. The tall side windows and optional panoramic roof help give the iX a really airy feel in the back.,You can adjust the angle of the rear seatbacks but, like the E-tron and the Jaguar I-Pace, the iX isn't available as a seven-seater. If you need to carry more than four passengers you'll need to look at the Tesla Model X.Boot space is rather disappointing at 500 litres below the parcel shelf – less than you get in all of the rivals we've mentioned so far. The rakish tailgate reduces the effective length of the load bay and doesn’t open as high as we'd like. If you're tall, you'll need to duck to gain access to the boot when the car is backed up against a kerb. ,The boot floor is at least a useful square shape and we managed to fit a respectable eight carry-on suitcases below the tonneau cover – one more than we could squeeze in the I-Pace and the same tally as the E-tron and Mercedes EQC swallowed. The rear seats can be dropped in a convenient 40/20/40 configuration by pressing buttons on the wall of the boot.

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