BMW iX – updated and better than ever, but still not for everyone

BMW first launched the divisive-looking iX back in 2021 as the one and only standalone ‘i’ product, ie, an all-electric model that wasn’t based on an existing range of cars in the Bavarian company’s portfolio. It was tasked with setting the scene for the next generation of BMWs in terms of interior design, technology and, of course, electrification. But all anyone wanted to talk about was its controversial design, which certainly wasn’t to everyone’s liking. Four years later, the market is awash with high-tech electric vehicles, so it’s time for BMW to update the iX to keep it fresh, focusing more on the performance, driving experience, and electric range than anything else.

Exterior design and image

If you’re familiar with the original BMW iX and you expected to see a restyle for the new one, then you’re probably looking at the images here and wondering if we used the wrong pictures. Sadly not, as BMW hasn’t dramatically redesigned the car at all. It’s still a large five-door SUV, and it still features an upright “grille” at the front, ultra-slender headlights, and blocky surfacing at the side and rear.

There are some changes that do arguably enhance the appearance, but they’re subtle. The grille finish and surround have been tweaked and it’s possible to have a sharp thin line of LED light around it that BMW calls the “Iconic Glow”, ensuring everyone knows you’re driving a BMW, even at night. That’s when you’ll spot the redesigned headlights as well, which to these eyes are more successful.

The biggest external change, however, is the addition of a new M Sport option, allowing buyers of lesser models to give them the look of the top-of-the-line M70 derivative. It’s an effective transformation, though the M70 – which is the car featured here – does come with a few unique bits and pieces commensurate with its
loftier pricing.

Interior and practicality

Whatever your feelings on the exterior design of the BMW iX, the car’s interior has always been universally admired. Somewhat surprisingly, its tactile materials and unusual approach to colours and finishes were never rolled out to the rest of the BMW line-up. So while there’s a certain homogeneity to most of the firm’s other cars’ interiors, the iX’s is quite different – in a good way.

It gets unique – and really quite appealing – seats, for example, with quilted upholstery, while the door panels are relatively simple yet still manage to feel luxurious. Though the dashboard features digital instrumentation and a touchscreen behind one smoothly curved surface, it doesn’t dominate the cabin, and the surface underneath extending to the huge windscreen is quite large. All this gives the interior a wonderfully spacious and airy feel, added to by the glass roof and tall
side windows.

That sensation continues in the back seats, which are hugely comfortable. All passengers get plenty of headroom and legroom thanks to the completely flat rear floor. About the only demerit in terms of practicality is that the boot – at 500 litres – isn’t as large as you might expect from a car of this size. For example, the BMW X5 SUV, which is a little shorter than the iX, holds up to 650 litres in its boot, depending on specification.

Price and electric range

Prices for the revised iX start at €92,585 for the xDrive45 Sport model, undercutting the BMW X5 mentioned above. There’s no ‘basic’ car in the lineup though, as all use two electric motors for all-wheel drive and even the entry-level version produces up to 408hp. Its updated powertrain also means it comes with an impressive official range figure of 603 kilometres.

The new M Sport trim level is available in both xDrive45 and xDrive60 guises, starting at €96,275. The xDrive60 model comes with a peak power figure of 544hp, yet an incredible official range of 687 kilometres on a charge. And all cars can make effective use of fast DC chargers, meaning a 10-80 per cent top up in about half an hour at their fastest.

Topping the line-up is the M70, raising the performance with up to 659hp from its motors, though at the expense of outright range. Its official 589-kilometre figure isn’t too shabby, though this model costs considerably more than the others, at €140,465.

BMW driving experience

Fans of BMW’s ‘M’ badge may raise an eyebrow at its appearance on the M70 model. Despite the impressive technology and sophistication BMW has poured into the chassis, the iX remains a large, heavy EV. Realistically, how many buyers of such a car truly expect it to handle like a sporty BMW M5?

And so it proves on the road. The M70 is competent, but there’s nothing outstandingly different about the way it drives that might curry favour with those who love to drive. Its quite ridiculous straight-line speed dominates proceedings until you’ve grown used to it, as its 659hp is accompanied by a simply massive 1,015Nm of torque. That means instantaneous acceleration at any time and it goes some way to explaining the sports-car-baiting 3.8-second 0-100km/h time. Your passengers won’t thank you for demonstrating that to them, as it’s uncomfortably rapid.

One to buy?

As incredible as the performance is from the M70’s powertrain, all versions of the new iX come with more-than-adequate power so, unless you really have to have the top-ranking model, it’s not the one we’d recommend. We’d certainly advocate for choosing the M Sport specification, however, as it gives the iX’s design a much-needed fillip. While the xDrive45’s performance is perfectly strong enough, some will prefer to pay for the reassurance of the xDrive60’s extra range. That’s where the smart money goes.