• Ride and handling are incredible for a vehicle this size
• Performance figures are impressive – especially the M70
• Big driving range and power upgrades as part of 2025 update

Electric motors

BMW’s reputation for building ‘the ultimate driving machine’ certainly holds fast with the iX. Thanks to its incredibly stiff structure, air suspension and remarkable performance, it’s very good to drive indeed.

As part of the 2025 facelift, BMW has revised the powertrains available in the iX, with all three now boasting more power and electric driving range than before – and they get new names in the process. Each version is also quicker than the equivalent Polestar 3.

The xDrive40 becomes the xDrive45, with power increasing significantly from 326hp to 408hp, reducing the 0-62mph time by a second to 5.1 seconds. It’s worth remembering these are stats from the entry-level model, too. Perhaps more significant is the battery size increasing from 71kWh to 94.8kWh, giving this model a claimed driving range of 374 miles, up from 257 miles – a massive 40% improvement. This is our pick of the line-up. 

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Up next is the xDrive60, the replacement for the xDrive50. It’s the version which delivers the most driving range but doesn’t represent as significant a jump as the previous model did from the entry-level trim. It can travel a claimed 426 miles from a charge, up from 380 miles on the pre-facelift car. Power also increases from 523hp to 544hp, though the 0-62mph time remains the same at 4.6 seconds, with battery size increasing from 105.2kWh to 109.2kWh. 

At the top of the range is the M70 xDrive, the replacement for the M60. It offers by far the most pace, with power increasing from 619hp to 659hp, with 0-62mph standing at just 3.8 seconds. Despite this, it’s not up there with the best performance SUVs. It delivers a claimed driving range of 366 miles (up from 348) from its 108.9kWh battery. Despit

What’s it like to drive? 

The battery pack weighs about 650kg on its own, but because that weight is concentrated so low in the car it not only gives the iX lots of extra strength, it also lowers the centre of gravity – which is further good news for stability when driving round corners. The iX does roll a little, but it’s not excessive and is actually preferable to a totally stiff suspension setup – it rides beautifully, making short work of most bumps and absorbing them well.

Real thought has been given to balancing the electric drive systems, too. Slip the drive selector into its ‘B’ mode and you can drive on just one pedal for most of the time, while an integrated control unit ensures that the brake pedal feels consistent throughout its travel – unlike some rivals, where you can feel a distinct change between regenerative and friction braking. The brakes of the M70 model could do with a touch more bite, though, as they struggle a bit with the sheer pace of this version. 

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On the facelifted iX, the only model we’ve driven so far is the M70. While its performance is exceptional and easy to exploit, it’s not really needed on an electric SUV like this. That’s why we would recommend the standard xDrive45 instead, which still delivers more than enough performance, and based on the pre-facelift car will still handle brilliantly well. It does manage without air suspension, though. 

That said, the M70’s ability to add an extra degree of sportiness is welcome and without detracting from the outstanding comfort and refinement of the iX Even with its M-specific suspension setup, it’s impressively supple and actually feels quite floaty but without compromising body control.