Overview

A decade after the BMW i3 debuted as the brand’s first purpose-built electric car, with high-tech construction, a wonderfully unconventional interior and challenging looks, the BMW iX came along to repeat the formula. This enormous electric flagship is the German brand’s way of putting all its latest technologies into one vehicle, and in the process it has made one of the best electric cars on the market today.

The iX is SUV-sized, even if it’s not necessarily SUV-shaped – it’s more like a big estate car. It comes in three levels of power, starting with the iX xDrive 40 MSport, followed by the xDrive 50 MSport, and topped off by the mighty iX M60, which packs 620hp.

Its lofty price tag puts it in contention with cars like the Audi Q8 E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, as well as other, more conventional, luxury models by the time you’ve perused the spec sheet. We wouldn’t be surprised if iX owners come into the vehicle having previously owned a BMW X7 or a very plush Range Rover.

For all that money, you get BMW Gen5 (fifth-generation) electric motor and battery technology, and an ‘intelligent material mix’ structure that incorporates carbonfibre, aluminium and high-strength steel. That results in a body that’s light but immensely stiff and strong, and means BMW can specify enormous batteries and very powerful motors.

The best iX for range is the xDrive 50 which can go a claimed 380 miles. But despite this, it still has performance that shames many a sports car, with quality of ride and handling that belie its enormous size and doughy proportions.

There’s space for a family of four, high technology levels as standard and if you charge at home it’ll cost peanuts to run – so what’s the catch? Over the next few pages we’ll take you through all the pros and cons of the BMW iX, concluding with a verdict that covers whether we think it’s worth buying. If you’d like to learn more about how we reached our decision, check out our how we test cars explainer page.