BMW

iX

The BMW iX is the Bavarian manufacturer’s first fully electrified all-wheel drive SUV and it’s certainly making waves. Dynamic styling is matched by excellent performance ability, along with one of the finest looking cabins on offer.

The good

Looks, performance and interior styling

The bad

Strong opposition from rivals

Tech Specs

Price from

£69,905

Combined Fuel up to

Driving range up to 380 miles

0-62 from

4.6 seconds

max speed up to

124mph (limited)

co2 from

0g/km

Test Drive

BMW iX M60 (2022)

BMW has launched its fasted-accelerating and most powerful EV to date and, rather surprisingly, it comes in SUV guise.

It is called the iX M60 and is a version of the iX that has been handed over to the company’s M sporting division for added attention.

As a result the iX M60 carries a hefty price-tag of £116,795, increased to £121,695 with options, but it does deliver performance stats that are close to supercar territory.

Powered by a 111.5kWh battery delivering 619hp and 1,100Nm of torque, it can reach 62mph from a standing start in just 3.8 seconds with a top speed that is electronically-limited to 155mph. The driving range between charges is a very decent 348 and these figures are really put into perspective when you take into consideration the iX M60 weighs more than 2.5 tonnes.

It is brutally quick out the starting blocks and the power keeps on coming – it would be rare to experience the full potential of this vehicle. The high voltage battery is located in the car’s underbody to lower the centre of gravity. This, in turn, results in a more balanced driving experience with added cornering control.

Bends can be attacked with confidence as the iX M60 really grips the road and the M-specific suspension system ensures high levels of agility and precision. And with two electric motors, one on each axle, the vehicle offers four-wheel drive too with a towing limit of 2.5 tonnes.

Drive modes alter the characteristics of the car and, as is the EV way, it is possible to adjust the levels of regenerative braking to recoup energy that would otherwise be lost with low, medium and high settings.

The iX M60 is a large vehicle stretching almost five metres in length and two metres across, but it is deceptively nimble when driving in congested city centre traffic with good all-round driver visibility proving another positive point.

While the general styling of the iX M60 has not altered that dramatically, it does boast some additional features, including aerodynamic 22-inch alloy wheels with bright blue brake calipers, M badging, additional bronze trimmings for the window surrounds and grille, along with some black detailing.

Other eye-catching design cues include that massive kidney grille that has divided opinion since it first appeared. But, as there is no engine to cool, the grille is for cosmetic purposes and also houses the forward-facing cameras and radar sensors. There are ultra-slim laserlights, soft-close doors with handles that are flush to the bodywork and sharp lines at the front and rear of the car.

The interior is beautifully crafted with an eye on the planet. The carpets are created from recycled fishing nets and many other surfaces have been sustainably sourced.

The latest model features a pitch perfect Bowers & Wilkins sound system, four-zone climate control, along with heated, ventilated and massaging seats that are power-operated.

The curved display screen is the main focal point and the nerve centre of the car. It is formed by a high-resolution 14.9-inch infotainment screen merging into a 12.3-inch digital driver display and looks futuristic but amazing at the same time.

And the car is packed with all the on-board tech that we demand these days, including sat nav, full smartphone connectivity, a head-up display, over-the-air software updates and a whole lot more besides.

Being billed as an SUV, the iX M60 needs to tick all the practicality boxes and it does just that. There is bundles of room in the back of the car for a trio of occupants to sit comfortably. They benefit from heated seats and devices can be plugged into any of the four USB ports conveniently located in back of the front seats.

The boot can swallow 500 litres of kit, increasing to 1,750 litres with the rear seats dropped flat, while there is a massive storage area beneath the floating central console to tuck away bits and pieces, along with a glovebox, door pockets, deep central cubby bin, front and rear cup holders, front USB ports, seat back pockets and some trays.

The iX M60’s battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent via a fast charger in 39 minutes. But if you have the time, it will work out cheaper to use a home wallbox. This takes about 11 hours, but could be completed when tariffs are lower such as overnight, depending on the energy supplier.

It would seem the Bavarian carmaker has struck gold with its iX M60 – it has a commanding road presence, drives brilliantly and has a very decent range. And when you factor in its maximum five-star safety rating, what more could you need from an SUV?

Test Drive

BMW iX XDrive40 M Sport – First Drive (2022)

With dynamic styling, a futuristic interior layout and a very decent driving range, BMW has unleashed its first fully electrified all-wheel drive SUV and it’s quite the all-round package.

It’s called the iX and is available as an xDrive40 with a combined output of 326hp and a driving range of up to 257 miles or an xDrive50 that produces 523hp and range of up to 380 miles. Both versions are on sale in trim levels called Sport or M Sport and BMW is also launching the iX M60 very soon with 600hp on tap.

Prices range from £69,905 for the entry-level xDrive40 Sport model to £94,905 for the xDrive50 in M Sport guise and, as always, customers can fully customise their vehicles through a range of optional packs.

We tested the iX xDrive40 in M Sport trim level with 326hp and 630Nm of torque. It boasts a 0-62mph sprint time of 6.1 seconds and top speed limited to 124mph.

The five-door model, which costs £72,905 (increased to £86,020 with options) is definitely a head-turner with chiselled good looks. It features that huge kidney grille that was first seen on the latest 4 series and has divided opinion ever since. But on this occasion, it is blanked out and is a rather clever front for a camera and radar sensors.

Other design cues include the slimmest headlights on any BMW, soft-close doors, flush-fitting door handles, a panoramic sunroof and some snazzy M Sport styling traits such as specialised 21-inch alloy wheels, dark taillight glass covers, M Sport brakes along with an Aerodynamics pack that adds a Sport front apron, side apron, rear apron and diffuser, plus an air curtain.

The wow factor continues when you move inside with a minimalist, futuristic interior that is generously equipped with all the very latest BMW tech.

With an eye on the environment, all the wood is responsibly sourced, the carpets are made from a synthetic material that has been recycled from old fishing nets and the optional leather seats are coloured using olive leaf extracts.

The seats are power-operated with integrated headrests and the hexagonal steering wheel is also electrically adjustable for convenience, with memory settings to store favourite driving positions.

The iX features BMW’s latest-generation iDrive system with an all-new curved display that looks amazing. A 14.9-inch infotainment screen merges into a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and, in addition, there is a head-up display to keep a watchful eye on vital driving stats.

Creature comforts include heated and ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon sound system, sat nav, smartphone connectivity, wireless phone charging pad, four-zone climate control and lots more besides.

Despite being clutter-free with fewer physical buttons, functions can be accessed via steering wheel buttons, the touchscreen, the controller dial or by voice activation.

To open the doors from the inside there is a button to push (with hidden handles as a back-up) and this car has a thoroughly modern and premium feel to it.

And the performance perfectly matches the styling with instant acceleration out the starting blocks and a very nice turn of pace. The xDrive all-wheel drive system ensures the iX stays nicely grounded through twisting country lanes and there is minimal sign of body sway into tighter bends.

It cruises effortlessly on motorways and the steering is nicely weighted with ample driver feedback.

The battery pack is located beneath the floor which not only means interior space remains uncompromised, it also results in a lower centre of gravity to help keep the car nicely posed.

Drive modes called Personal, Sport or Efficient alter the handling and reactions of the vehicle and extra energy is captured during braking. This can be done automatically or the driver can adjust the level of regenerative braking by selecting low, medium or high settings.

Despite measuring just shy of five metres in length and stretching two metres across, the iX is beautifully agile and there are cameras, sensors and parking aids to make you look an expert when squeezing into a tight parking space.

Our test car had a WLTP-tested driving range of 257 miles, but it’s always worth remembering those figures are affected by driving style and also factors such as cold weather. The iX xDrive50 is more expensive to buy, but does come with the reassurance of up to 380 miles on a single charge.

Comfort levels within the iX were also surprisingly high. With such muscular styling you would expect a firm ride, but it is actually rather refined with outside road surface and wind noise also kept well supressed. A synthesised sound warns pedestrians that the vehicle is present and there is a great authentic note within the car as you accelerate or decelerate.

The cabin is spacious with ample room for three back seat passengers to sit comfortably. The boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, can swallow 500 litres of luggage and that capacity is increased to 1,750 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

There are numerous storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin, along with USB-C ports to keep devices charged on the fly.

And when it comes to charging the iX, the xDrive40 can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 31 minutes via a fast charger with a range of 90 miles being added in 10 minutes. The iX xDrive50 does take slightly longer but has the additional driving range.

The iX was recently awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with very high scores for occupant safety and special mention to child safety systems – that’s a vital selling point for any SUV.

All in all, this newcomer from BMW certainly raises the bar in the premium sector when it comes to fully electrified SUVs and it’s guaranteed the likes of Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar will be keeping close tabs on how well it fares.