BMW iX Review

How much does it cost?

At time of writing, the entry-level Sport iX starts at £75,405, rising to £93,205 for the xDrive60 M Sport and hitting the heady heights of £114,305 for the true M-badged iX M70 xDrive. These boast the most impressive performance figures and racy design touches.

Head over to AA Cars and there is plenty of used iX stock, with prices starting from as little as £25,000 for high-mileage 2022 examples. The older iX xDrive40 M Sport, for example, features a 76.6kWh (gross) battery, providing a maximum WLTP range of up to 257 miles, but can still rapid-charge and features much of the same in-car technology.

Engine and performance

Overview

There’s a lot of choice when it comes to the drivetrain you’d like to power your iX. The range kicks off with the iX xDrive45, which features a 94.8kWh (gross) battery and 402hp delivered to all four wheels, alongside a hefty 700Nm of torque.

Performance is still rapid, even in this variant, while customers can specify Sport or M Sport trim. Range is between 321 and 374 miles on a single charge, depending on specification.

The model line-up then moves on to the iX xDrive60 that uses a larger 109.1kWh (gross) battery, paired with a 536hp dual-motor set-up producing 765Nm of torque and a claimed range of up to 426 miles (WLTP).

If acceleration and top speed are important priorities, the range-topping iX M70 xDrive can reach 155mph thanks to the 659hp and 1,015Nm of torque on tap. Its 108.9kWh (gross) battery means its range is lower than the xDrive60, with a claimed figure of up to 366 miles (WLTP).

Out on the road

Despite its hulking size, the iX is no slouch, with even the entry-level cars able to complete the 0-62mph sprint in around 5.1 seconds. That figure decreases to a frankly supersonic 3.8 seconds in the M-badged cars.

Top speed is generally limited to 124mph across much of the range, but this is lifted in the range-topping iX M70 xDrive to 155mph.

Being a BMW, the company’s engineers have thrown all manner of sophisticated suspension technology at the iX to ensure it rides and handles well, with higher-spec cars receiving adaptive air suspension for the smoothest ride possible in comfort modes and a more engaging drive in the sportier settings.

The result is a car that generally floats over most surfaces, isolating those riding on board from harsh lumps and bumps in the road. It’s beautifully quiet, too — a genuinely relaxing place to spend time.

Ride and handling

All new iX cars feature BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and, as a result, the car doesn’t want for traction. There’s a massive amount of grip through the corners with very little body roll for a vehicle of this size and weight.

However, this isn’t a sports car and BMW will happily sell you a saloon that does a better job of flowing over a favourite B-road.

The ride is exceptional, though, and those cars riding on adaptive suspension do a fantastic job of remaining composed on the UK’s pitted roads. Even with large alloy wheels fitted, it’s a supremely comfortable way to travel. Quiet to the point you feel eerily cocooned from the outside world. Like travelling in a vacuum.

The iX M70 xDrive is the car to have if you really want performance, as it features a number of driving modes that firm the suspension and sharpen steering response.

Acceleration is brutal, to the extent that it can feel excessive on public roads.

Interior and features

Interiors

The iX’s interior was a real departure from the typically understated BMW fare when it first launched back in 2021, with sharp angular lines and a sweeping array of screens catapulting this EV into the future.

It still looks modern today, but the recent update has done away with the unusually shaped steering wheel that was present in the original, replacing it with a more conventional circular design.

The remainder of the cabin mixes sustainable materials, wood trims and leather or Sensatec upholstery, alongside glass-effect controls and technical finishes in the sportier variants.

BMW’s curved glass display is pin sharp and offers one of the best resolutions in the business.

Boot space and practicality

The iX’s interior feels even roomier than the sizeable exterior would suggest, with generous head and legroom for those in the front. The overall layout of the cabin is airy and spacious, with very little impeding passenger comfort. It is a far cry from the driver-focused interiors of the marque’s saloons.

A completely flat floor means there’s lots of room in the back, too, with enough space for three adults to sit abreast in reasonable comfort. BMW supplies USB charging ports, discreet cubby holes and cupholders in the rear for passengers.

Boot space is good but nowhere near as vast as that offered by some seven-seat rivals when their third rows are folded. Owners get 500 litres to play with in the BMW with all seats in place.

The second row of seats does fold flat, freeing up a maximum of around 1,750 litres, but it is worth noting that the boot lip is relatively high in the iX, which can make loading bulky or heavy items more awkward.

Features

The centrepiece of the iX’s interior is the curved display that seamlessly combines a 14.9in touchscreen with a 12.3in digital driver’s display.

Owners can wirelessly connect a smartphone and enjoy Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, while BMW also allows numerous apps to run natively on the system, ranging from news and weather to music and entertainment.

All trim levels receive a comprehensive suite of technology that includes multiple exterior cameras and sensors for easy parking, while the standard Harman Kardon sound system is impressive. An optional Bowers & Wilkins system is also available on higher trims.

This is also one of the last BMW models to use the iDrive controller with a rotary dial for operating the menus, which many drivers find more intuitive and less distracting than relying solely on a touchscreen.

Physical controls remain for climate functions and key features, which is welcome from a usability standpoint.

Trim and colour options

The BMW iX range in the UK starts with the Sport trim, which offers a strong core specification, including 21-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats, Comfort Access, Driving Assistant Plus safety systems and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional display.

M Sport adds a more dynamic edge, with sportier bumpers, available 22-inch M light-alloy wheels, blue brake calipers and interior upgrades such as M multifunction seats, an M leather steering wheel, Dark Silver trim and anthracite headlining, creating a more performance-focused ambience without altering core powertrain outputs.

The M-badged variant, the iX M70 xDrive, builds on M Sport with enhanced performance, dual-motor all-wheel drive, launch control, upgraded suspension and braking systems, and features such as the Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille.

Across all trims, a range of exterior colours, including standard, metallic and BMW Individual options, allows further personalisation, although options can quickly increase the final price.

Safety and reliability

The BMW iX earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2021, scoring 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupants, 73 per cent for vulnerable road users and 81 per cent for safety assist systems.

Key safety features include an airbag between the front seats to reduce injury during side-on collisions, lane departure warning and speed limit recognition. All iX models come with autonomous emergency braking capable of detecting vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

On reliability, long-term data remains limited given the model’s relative newness, but BMW’s established engineering standards and the inherent simplicity of an electric drivetrain point towards strong durability.

BMW provides a three-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty in the UK, alongside an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the high-voltage battery, offering reassurance for long-term ownership.

MPG, emissions and tax

Electric range in the BMW iX varies between models, but entry-level cars can cover up to 321 miles on a single charge, while the xDrive60 can manage up to 426 miles (WLTP), placing it among the strongest performers in its class.

Any EV registered after April 1, 2025 costs £10 to tax for the first year and then £195 annually. However, a luxury car supplement applies to any EV costing over £40,000, adding £425 annually for five years from the second year of registration.