BMW iX long-term test: report 6
BMW's largest electric SUV might be super luxurious, but it's also expensive to buy. Can low running costs justify the price and make it a great long distance cruiser? We're living with one to fi...
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 13,220 List price £93,205 Best price £93,205 Price as tested £107,000 Test range 320 miles Official range 426 miles
8 May 2026 – A house on wheels
Every time I’ve been designated driver and picked someone new up in my BMW iX, their first comment is usually on just how big the thing is. My colleague, John Howell, even used the term ‘it’s the size of a house’ in a recent conversation.
Of course, the size is very useful when it comes to filling the car with occupants, happily swallowing five people and all of their luggage, but the downside is that parking spaces and roads haven’t grown at the same pace as cars have.
At the start of my time with the car, that was a genuine concern and I had visions of driving around with constant paranoia that I was going to hit every car that came towards me and every bollard when parking in multi-storey car parks. Thankfully, it quickly became obvious that wasn’t the case.
On the road, that’s thanks to the superb forward visibility afforded by the high driving position and low window line. You really do have a great view out over the bonnet, at junctions and when positioning yourself in lanes, negating the iX’s width.
The view over your shoulder, meanwhile, isn’t quite as impressive due to the thick rear pillars. Even so, the large side mirrors and standard-fit blind spot monitoring system help to ensure you know what’s alongside you at all times. It’s safe to say that my worries quickly dissipated.
Navigating tight car parks was a different kettle of fish, though, and something I do often. You see, both the basement car park at the What Car? office and our overflow multi-storey car park are pretty small and make for some interesting parking manoeuvres, as you navigate the maze of parked cars.
Luckily, the iX’s standard-fit 360-degree camera and all-round parking sensors make this task an absolute doddle, negating the restricted visibility to the rear and allowing you to place the car exactly where you need to.
On top of that, my car has the optional Integral Active Steering fitted, allowing the rear wheels to turn slightly in the opposite direction to the front, reducing the turning circle. It helps the car to shrink around you somewhat and makes it just as easy to get the iX into tight spaces as it does the smaller BMW iX3.
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