The new BMW iX xDrive50 is a stunning electric vehicle. This bells-and-whistles SUV now has a real-world range to match its superb highway manners, thanks to the larger 105.2kWh battery. The iX's standard air suspension changes the way it drives, giving it a cushy or sharp feel depending on your mood. It's pricey, but it raises the bar in a segment of the new-car market that's becoming increasingly competitive.
In the UK, we've already driven the BMW iX; the entry-level xDrive40 variant wowed us late last year with its outstanding comfort, refinement, and overall build quality. Its luxury highway demeanor was undeniable, but its outright cruising capabilities was limited by a dismal 200-mile real-world range.
For some, this will not be a problem. The cheapest iX is a force to be reckoned with if your commute or daily usage allow it; it may not be quite as fast as a Mercedes EQC, but the BMW outperforms it in every other way.
Mercedes offers only one battery option for its electric SUVs, while BMW is addressing range anxiety square on with the new iX, which comes with a 105.2kWh battery. It's one of the largest in any production car now on the market, and it's fitted to the xDrive50.
The result is a WLTP-rated range of 380 miles, or just shy of 300 miles in cooler temperatures like those we'd see in a normal British winter. Furthermore, the xDrive50 can recharge its batteries from 10-80% in 34 minutes thanks to 200kW rapid charging (the iX xDrive40 is limited to 150kW).
As a result, this is now a zero-emissions cruiser with a range to match. The problem is that you'll have to pay for the enjoyment; the iX xDrive50 Sport starts at £91,905 – and the M Sport model we're driving here is £5k extra. That's a £27,000 premium above the base model with the lesser battery.
You get a pair of uprated motors with a combined 516bhp for your money; there's no way to acquire the bigger battery with the less-powerful drivetrain. Performance ranges from adequate to fantastic, with the xDrive50 taking just 4.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph. Not as fast as a Tesla Model X, but fast enough to make your eyes expand at the slightest prod of the throttle.
It's one thing to go fast in a straight line, but building a 2.6-tonne SUV to handle like a sports car is another, especially one as luxurious as the iX. This larger-battery vehicle, on the other hand, has a special trick up its sleeve: standard-fit air suspension.
To claim that this has a revolutionary influence on the car's dynamic ability is to undervalue it. The iX xDrive50 is comfortable on the highway, but when you switch to Sport mode and tighten up the dampers, the change in body control is night and day.
The problem is that you'll find yourself fiddling with the car's settings and switching it to Sport more than you would in something smaller and lighter. If you keep the iX in its normal drive mode, it pitches and wallows in an uncomfortable manner, only feeling tethered when the suspension is set to its stiffest level.
''Are you tired of using cleaners that work, but not as good as you expected? You won’t experience that here! Philisn Premium Auto Detailing Kit gives your car a complete all-around care at a SPA level.''
So, until the M-M60 division's version arrives, the flagship iX has a dual personality. The main point is that the xDrive50 feels like it can handle any situation: quiet, soft, and supple when you want it, tauter and more responsive when you don't.
Otherwise, we may apply what we like (and don't like) about the basic iX to the more powerful model. The cabin is excellent - the seats are plush and supportive, and the overall craftsmanship is impeccable. The infotainment system may appear to be well-designed, but it lacks the intuitiveness of BMW's prior iDrive systems.
The maker's designers and engineers have done a superb job of making the iX feel big on the inside when it comes to space and usefulness. Although this is a large vehicle, travelers will have plenty of head and legroom in each of the five seats.
The boot, on the other hand, is a different story. It's not small, at 500 litres, but you'd expect more from a car of this size. The BMW iX3, which functionally stands in the class below, has more cargo room than its brother, while the load bay of an Audi e-tron is over 20% larger. The iX's boot may not be large enough for a family of four to carry all they need.
0 Comments