BMW re-sets the standard for large, luxury EV Crossovers with this iX. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

BMW now has a full-electric flagship model of fitting stature in its 'i' range of designs, this car, the iX. It's a large luxury SUV aimed directly at the Audi e-tron and the Mercedes EQC and it showcases everything the company knows about Zero Emissions motoring. As it turns out, that's quite a lot.

Background

BMW's all-electric model line-up, for years solely carried by the little i3, is now taking shape. We've already been introduced to the i4 sports saloon and the iX3 mid-sized SUV. And beyond that, there's this car, the iX, a large luxury SUV which the Munich maker hopes will move the game on from the standards already set in this segment by direct rivals like the Audi e-tron and the Mercedes EQC.

The company claims the iX to represent the pinnacle of its electrification strategy. It's certainly the brand's first 4WD EV, it uses the fifth generation of the Bavarian maker's e-motor and battery technology and the carbonfibre-rich structure is more innovative than anything we've seen from the company since the i3. You'll certainly feel that you've got the market's most advanced luxury EV if you own one of these. But does it - will it - work as an ownership proposition? We'll see.

Driving Experience

There's a choice of three iX variants, all using the same twin-motor four wheel drive configuration. Things kick off with the iX xDrive40, which has 326hp, a 71kWh-plus battery pack with a 257 mile range and, when driven less frugally, a rest to 62mph time of just 6.1s on the way to 124mph. The alternative iX xDrive50 flagship model has 523hp, a 105.2kWh battery pack with a range of up to 380 miles and can get to 62mph in 4.7s en route to the same top speed. The summit of the iX range is marked by the M60 version, which uses the same bigger battery as the '50'-series model but mates it with an even more powerful 619hp electric motor total output, delivered with up to 1,100Nm of torque. The range reading - 357 miles - is still acceptable and 62mph flashes by in just 3.8s on the way to an electronically limited maximum of 155mph.

On the move, there are 'High', 'Moderate' or 'Low' Brake Energy Regeneration settings. Plus activating driving position B with the selector lever generates so much off-throttle retardation that you'll virtually never have to use the brake pedal except when coming to a standstill. Using the alternative 'Adaptive' regen setting, the iX can also manage its own levels of brake recuperate to charge its battery on the move. When approaching a junction for example, the degree of recuperation will be increased. On the open road meanwhile, the coasting function sees the car 'freewheeling' with no drive power whenever the driver takes their foot off the accelerator.

Design and Build

From the pictures, it's quite hard to see where, size-wise, the iX fits into the SUV market, so it might help to know that the external dimensions are pretty similar to those of a BMW X5. Clever EV drivetrain packaging and a long wheelbase though, mean that interior cabin space is closer to that of an X7, though no 7-seat option will be offered.

Inside, there's an airy, futuristic-feeling cabin characterised by a flat floor, recycled materials and a rather odd-looking hexagonal multi-function steering wheel. The instruments and infotainment functions are grouped together in a curved digital display. And there's no centre console, the main controls instead set within the forward part of the high-set central armrest. Space in the back is generous, with lots of head and leg room. Boot space is similar to the 650-litre capacity you get in an X5.

Market and Model

From the launch of this iX in late-2021, BMW was asking from around £70,000 for the entry-level iX xDrive40 'Sport' version of this car, that model available in plusher 'M Sport' form for £3,000 more. In both cases, you get a 71kWh battery, a 326hp total output and a 257 mile driving range. Ideally though, you'd want to stretch to one of the bigger-batteried iX xDrive50 models, priced in base 'Sport' form from around £92,000; again, it's £3,000 more for 'M Sport' trim. With those '50'-series variants, you get a 105.2kWh battery, a 523hp total output and a 380 mile driving range. The same bigger battery features in the top iX M60, which is in a price league of its own, costing around £112,000. It offers 619hp and a 357 miles of driving range.

The iX has more computing power for data processing than any other model in BMW's line-up. Included is over-the-air functionality via 5G, which means that over-the-air updates can be uploaded into the iX during the customer's period of ownership. That system will also be used to progressively update the car's Level 3 autonomous driving technology. Full-LED lights are standard, though buyers will also be able to specify Laser lights as an option.

Cost of Ownership

We'll re-state the range figures we gave you in our 'Driving Experience' section. The iX xDrive40 delivers a claimed WLTP-rated range of up to 257 miles per charge from its 71kWh-plus battery pack. The iX xDrive50 model meanwhile, has a bigger 105.2kWh battery pack that boosts range to 380 miles. With the M60, it's 357 miles.

What about charging? Well the xDrive40 can replenish its battery at speeds of up to 150kW, which is fast enough to gain more than 56 miles of charge in around 10 minutes. The xDrive50 has 200kW charging capability that'll deliver 75 miles of driving for every 10 minutes of charging. Both iX variants can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in under 40 minutes and on average, use around 21kWh of electricity per 62 miles travelled.

Summary

The game moves on quickly at the top of the EV segment. The BMW iX shows just how much more is possible with a car of this kind. It's more spacious than its rivals, more futuristic inside and out and goes further on a single charge. Plus its slightly lighter weight means it will handle a little better. But right here, right now, for the extremely well-heeled family EV fanatic, this is where it's at.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: BMW iX

PRICES: £69,905 - £111,905

CATEGORY: FULL-ELECTRIC - LUXURY

INSURANCE GROUPS: TBC

WLTP DRIVING RANGE: {xDrive50} 373 miles

PERFORMANCE: {xDrive50} 0-62mph 5.0s / Max Speed 124mph {est}

BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 650

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4950/2000/1700 mm