BMW iX long-term test: report 4

The car BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport Run by Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Why it’s here To see if BMW’s largest electric SUV can be used as a long distance cruiser that’s both luxurious and easy to live with.

Needs to be comfortable on a long commute; be efficient enough to keep running costs low and justify the price tag; offer practicality that deals with lots of passengers and long weekend luggage.

Mileage 11,512 List price £93,205 Best price £93,205 Price as tested £107,000 Test range 290 miles Official range 426 miles

29 March 2026 – The sound of silence

As the year begins to get busier with car launches and early spring getaways, my BMW iX is in as much demand as you might expect from other members of the What Car? team. I suspect it's the range, practicality and all the luxurious pieces of kit that make it so desirable.

Last week, for example, it was our used cars editor, Mark Pearson, who borrowed it for a week off in which he had many miles to cover. And here was his feedback when he returned:

“I would have thought that the one thing no one would claim of this enormous electric SUV is that it is in any way sporty, even though it can pick up its skirts and fly if you prod it – and even accepting that its four-wheel steering gives it an agility you otherwise wouldn’t expect of something so large. So, why does BMW give it one of its traditional thick-rimmed steering wheels?

“Likewise, I couldn't help thinking that all the driving modes were overkill. Some alter the dynamics, and some seem to produce odd whooshing noises or discordant tunes that imitate whale music. But, fortunately, when I chose Silent mode, it did exactly what it said on the tin – my God, is it silent!

“There must be very few cars in this or any other class that are as quiet. I’ve been in noisier libraries. And combined with the cosseting ride quality, it makes the iX a really impressive and very comfortable motorway cruiser.  

“I was so impressed, in fact, that with my used cars editor hat wedged firmly on, I decided to scour the classifieds for iXs, and found this £93,000 SUV can be bought at a year old for just £61,000. Meanwhile, if you’re not fussy about the extra performance and range of our post-2024 iX model, you could buy one of the early 2021 cars for just £23,000. My word, that's a lot of car for the money!”

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