BMW iX Review 2024

If you're looking for a practical electric SUV with a generous range and impressive performance, the BMW iX is up there with the best. It's expensive and not everyone will like how it looks, but there's not a lot else going against it.

We're tempted to say the entry-level BMW iX xDrive40 is all the electric car you could possibly need, but some might find its 264-mile range to be lacking (especially when that's likely to drop below 200 miles in the real world). For that reason, the BMW iX xDrive50 (with its impressive 383-mile WLTP range) will be the one to have for many buyers.

The BMW iX is similar in size to the BMW X5 so, if you're not fully convinced about making the switch to an electric car, consider an X5 Plug-in Hybrid as a stepping stone. If you are ready to embrace electric motoring, there are numerous premium electric SUVs to choose from. These include the Audi e-tron, Mercedes EQC and Jaguar I-Pace. You might also want to look at the (slightly pricier) Tesla Model X.

The BMW iX's interior feels like it's of the highest quality – but this doesn't mean you have to compromise on your eco-credentials. The leather seats, for example, are tanned using natural materials including olive leaf extracts. The floor carpets are made from old fishing nets and other recycled materials.

There are a few hard plastics lower down in the cabin (where, generally, you won't be poking about too much) but everything you'll come into contact with will be satisfyingly soft-touch. For the ultimate in luxury, look for a BMW iX with the optional Comfort Plus Pack. This adds things such features as massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and soft-close doors.

BMW has managed to work miracles with the infotainment system in the iX – not only does it look suitably modern (futuristic, even), it doesn't skimp on usability. It features a large, curved display that houses both the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

While it's all very digital, it's much more user-friendly than you'd get in a Tesla, for example. The graphics are ultra sharp, the responses are speedy and everything is laid out exactly as you'd expect. There's even a rotary controller on hand to allow for easier (and safer) navigation on the move. The BMW iX comes with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto, as well as the brand's Hey BMW intelligent personal assistant.

All BMW iX models come with a Harmon Kardon sound system as standard, but audiophiles should consider the optional Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system - standard in the M60. This adds integrated speakers to the headrests as well as a 4D audio function using bass shakers in the front seats.

With a deep dashboard, flat floor and space in front of the centre console, the BMW iX feels a lot more spacious than the smaller BMW iX3. While there's loads of room up front, you don't sit particularly high up, although there's space to crank up the driver's seat if you really want that commanding driving position.

Knee room is at a premium in the back, but it generally feels pretty spacious back there too. There's loads of headroom – even with the panoramic sunroof. Anyone sitting in the middle seat might be lacking shoulder room, but a flat floor means they'll have somewhere to put their feet.

With 500 litres of luggage space available, the BMW iX is just as practical as rivals, although it can't compete with a petrol or diesel BMW X5's 650-litre boot. There's no 'frunk', either – a useful extra storage space found in the front of the car like you'll find in some electric vehicles.

While access to the boot is fairly high, a false floor means there isn't a lip for hoisting things over. Underneath, there's a bit of a cellar for hiding things away (the charging cables, perhaps). There are switches near the boot opening for easy dropping of the rear seats should you need to increase luggage space and they do provide a fairly flat floor.  Tip the rear seats down in the iX and you can free up a total of 1750-litres, so it's still a vast and practical car when needs must.

The BMW iX range kicks off with the xDrive40, which combines a 76.6kWh battery with an electric motor on each axle to provide a total of 326PS and 630Nm of torque. This is the only BMW iX we've sampled so far but, frankly, it left us wondering why you'd want anything more – with 326PS and 630Nm, it can accelerate to 62mph in a pretty hasty 6.1 seconds, while top speed is limited to 124mph.

Next in the range is the BMW iX xDrive50 with its 111.5kWh battery. The main advantage of this is a longer range (see below for exact figures), but it's also quicker than the iX xDrive40. With 523PS from its motors and 765Nm of torque, it can sprint to 62mph in 4.6 seconds.

If you want M-car performance from your electric SUV, the new BMW iX M60 has a peak power output of 619PS and a hilarious 1100Nm of torque. As such, it covers 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.

With its bigger battery, the BMW iX xDrive50 has an official range of up to 383 miles, while the BMW iX xDrive40 will be able to cover up to 264 miles on a single charge. The BMW iX M60 will have a range of up to 348 miles.

These are all fair old distances for an electric car, making the BMW iX competitive against even the longest range EVs. For comparison, the Tesla Model X has a range of up to 348 miles, the Jaguar I-Pace can cover up to 292 miles while the Audi e-tron manages just 252 miles.

As with any EV, the real-world range of a BMW iX will change depending on how it's used. It's likely to travel further when driven around town in the summer, compared to motorway driving in the winter. We're yet to spend an extended period with the BMW iX to see how it fares in day-to-day use.

Electric cars with the longest range

If you're looking for a relaxing SUV that will isolate you from the outside world, the BMW iX will utterly spoil you. There obviously isn't a rumble from the engine, but it also does an incredible job of hiding wind and road noise. You're guaranteed to reach your destination feeling utterly relaxed.

There's one tiny little caveat and that's the specially composed drive sound. Developed by movie composer Hans Zimmer, this replaces the traditional engine sound of a petrol or diesel car. A lot of people seem to quite like it, but it's not really for us. Fortunately, you can turn it off if it's not your thing.

As you'd expect for a flagship electric vehicle, the BMW iX is loaded with technology to help prevent a collision – or at least reduce the severity. This includes a front collision warning system with brake intervention that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. In addition, the automatic emergency braking system also reacts in turning situations, helping to minimise the risk to pedestrians when you take a corner and the risk of collision with oncoming traffic when turning left.

Other standard features of the BMW iX include an attention assistant, lane departure warning and speed limit recognition. The Driving Assistant Professional package is now standard, too, which includes steering and lane guidance assistance.

The BMW iX was awarded five stars when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2021.

We haven't heard of any reliability issues with the BMW iX. The brand generally performs well for reliability, with a 12th place ranking (out of 29) in the 2023 HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index. Electric cars are generally very reliable, too, with few moving parts to go wrong and affordable servicing costs.

If you're a new or inexperienced driver, it might be worth doing some research into insurance prices for the BMW iX. It's rated quite highly – in insurance group 47 for xDrive40 Sport and M Sport models, while the BMW iX xDrive50 is in insurance group 50 – the highest category.

As the BMW iX is a pure-electric vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions, you won't pay a penny in road tax. You're even exempt from the usual premium car tax – a £410/year surcharge for cars with a list price of more than £40,000. That means you could save quite a lot of money in tax by buying an electric car like the BMW iX.

However, the rules are changing from 1 April 2025 and EVs will have to pay a basic rate of road tax, plus EVs costing more than £40,000 will be subject to the additional rate expensive car supplement that is currently set at £410 per year for the first five years of the car's life.

Buyers get the choice of BMW iX Sport and M Sport trim levels.

Standard equipment on the BMW iX Sport includes the brand's Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Professional and storage for wireless charging, climate comfort windscreen, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and Shadow Line exterior trim.

The BMW iX M Sport looks a bit more purposeful, with a different style of 21-inch alloy wheels, while the exterior is set off with the Aerodynamics pack comprising of M Sport front apron, side apron, rear apron and diffuser, and air curtain. Dark taillight glass completes the appearance of the M Sport, while M Sport brakes and an Anthracite roof lining are also included.

The M60 has a standalone spec that includes 22-inch alloy wheels, black leather upholstery with silver accents, heated rear seats, and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound Audio System.