TEST: BMW iX xDrive50

BMW was one of the pioneers of the electric car with the BMW i3, the first mass-produced car with an entirely carbon structure. His style was debated at the time, but I always liked it a lot. It must be said that I have a weakness for cars that do not look like the classic car. BMW arrives in 2021 with the iX, a divisive product but which, according to it, shows the brand's expertise in premium electrics. BMW is therefore offering us its third 100% BMWi product and seems to be doing the same thing as the i3 with a sharp and distinctive style. Let's go see this!

Let's discover the BMW iX together

Keep in mind that it's a big baby, which can store the big battery of 111.5kWh gross (105.2kWh useful) (14cm thick), the five passengers and their luggage in first-rate comfort. For this, BMW designers have combined the specifications of the brand's 3 premium thermal SUVs in an electric SUV. Namely, the size (length and width) of an X5, the height of an X6 and the rim size of an X7. This gives a rather chunky and massive appearance to this SUV. 

At the front, BMW has decided to do a lot of work to ensure that its vehicle has as much personality as possible. They did not go there with a dead hand. The grille is there and can be seen. For me, it doesn't bother me that much. We recognize it at first glance and we talk about it. In a booming electric car market, you have to stand out. Having a differentiating product is often highly appreciated, especially in premium. And then, behind the wheel you will not see its grille. On the other hand, the people in front of you will see it and will move very quickly to the right if you arrive in their mirrors. 

In addition, this grille is used by BMW to place all the sensors inconspicuously there. Don't worry, even in bad weather, the grille is heated. Finally, it inaugurates a polyurethane surface that repairs itself if it ever gets scratched!

Regarding its profile, we immediately recognize a certain affiliation with the first 100% electric model of the brand, the i3. This rear pillar which disappears with the iX logo on a shiny black background recalls the rear window of the city car. The rims on our model are 22 inches, a bit like the big rims of the i3. These are quite nice and keep a futuristic look, perfect for the car.

There are very few asperities on the vehicle, which allows it to have a rather impressive Cx of 0.25 for the brick, apparent, that is the iX.

The rear is the most successful part of the vehicle. It is beautiful, massive and very modern with its very well worked optics. These are also the thinnest ever applied to a BMW. At the bottom, no exhaust but a massive diffuser which gives it a very sporty appearance.

Let's go inside.

Particular care has been taken, it was even developed first. It looks like anything but a modern BMW, with a few exceptions. 

Our model sports the interior called “Castanea Suite”: ocher-coloured leather, very attractive and modern. Its seats are incredibly comfortable. The lateral support is not at the level of a classic BMW but it is not essential given the philosophy of the car. They are there to be comfortable and to enhance the interior. It is therefore successful. We are not on a sports car but on an ideal car for driving and for the pleasure of strolling.

BMW is turning all its codes upside down. The instrumentation changes. It goes from two very distinct slabs to a double curved slab of 12.3 and 14.9 inches. The dashboard, under this double screen, is lower than usual, but that's not very disturbing. The steering wheel also evolves: finished the round steering wheel and the usual 3 spokes of the Munich brand. It becomes hexagonal with 2 spokes, a steering wheel that reminds me of that of the i3. 

Between the seats, the elbow rest extends with an iDrive, unchanged. Only a sublime wooden cladding accommodates this glass dial. On the left, there is no longer a gear lever, the selector is much more discreet. At the front of this platform, a mobile phone holder is available – very good idea. I would have liked the induction load to be placed there like at Tesla. It is located below with 2 USB-C ports.

If we continue with the upheaval of the classic BMW codes, the adjustment of the seats is found on the doors as with the German cousin Mercedes.

Finally, BMW inaugurates what they call “Shy-Tech”, in other words: discreet technology. For example, the wooden platform that hosts the iDrive is not only a beautiful piece but also serves as sensitive buttons. The sides of the dashboard and the armrests are now heated. A good way to save energy by heating the passenger compartment very strongly. Smart for an electric car. 

The buttons disappear but I find that this reduces one of BMW's strengths, ergonomics. An essential function, the air conditioning, is relegated to the central screen. I like being able to change the temperature quickly, activate the heated or ventilated seats with the push of a button. Unfortunately with this new interface, I lose time and it bothers me.

Another example of this discreet technology can be found in the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Sound system (€4,850). An expensive option but which allows to have a sound experience that I have rarely had in a car. No less than 30 loudspeakers are scattered throughout the passenger compartment, half of which are invisible – such as in the headrests of the front and rear seats, for example! There are even vibrators in the seats that will activate according to your desire to immerse you in the music. In total, the iX has 1,615 watts of power. 

At the rear, the floor is flat and the interior space is very good. If you look up you will find a huge glazed roof of 1.1m² which can become opaque on request (€3,350).

Finally, the trunk is rather small, for the category, with 500 liters. I would have liked to have a trunk in the front of the vehicle like at Tesla. But the hood remains sealed. Impossible to open it, even to store the cables like on the i3. Pity…

Let's go on the road

We tested the most powerful version available on the French market at the time of writing these lines, the BMW iX xDrive50. This version has two electric motors, one on each axle, 200kW (272hp) at the front and 250kW (340hp) at the rear. In total, not 612hp but 523hp. Yes it's weird but there is a bridle. Don't ask me why… The cumulative torque is quite impressive with 765Nm. Yes, you can bare a house with your iX.

The main advantage of an electric motor is to swallow the first 100 km/h in less time than it takes to read this sentence. The iX xDrive50 is one of these models with a 0 to 100km/h in 4.6s. Despite its 2.5 tons, this model therefore announces very good figures, let's see if it is the same once behind the wheel.

You arrive next to your car but you forgot your keys at home? No worries, you have your smartphone in your bag or pocket. The car has a world-first system based on UWB (ultra wide band) wifi and Bluetooth waves that will unlock your car just by approaching it. A feature implemented in association with Apple, which is currently the only phone manufacturer to allow this feature.

In town first of all, you will be surprised by its agility. The 4 wheels are steering and allow you to sneak around very easily despite this giant size. It's the first time I've had this feeling behind the wheel of a car with this feature. It moves like a snake when I turn the steering wheel. Confusing but so effective!

Comfort is, as I told you a little higher, royal. The car has pneumatic suspensions which allow it to free itself without concern from the gaping holes of the Parisian road. The Tmax are non-existent both by the extensive soundproofing and by the dantesque acceleration of this car.

You take the highway to travel because this car is an incentive to travel as it is comfortable and pleasant to handle. The massage provided by your driver's seat will relax you while you listen to your favorite music enveloped in the crystal clear sound of the Bowers & Wilkins speakers. After the 350km of autonomy on the motorway that the car offers you, even in winter, you will have the possibility of recharging on the IONITY terminals of which BMW is a partner. 

A partnership that will allow you to recharge your car in 35 minutes from 10 to 80% or 150km in 10 minutes, thanks to a recharge of up to 200kWh peak. BMW offers its customers the IONITY PLUS recharge (value of €156) for the first year, which allows them to pay €0.30 per minute. A 35-minute recharge will therefore cost you €10.50. A rather interesting price if we compare it to an equivalent X5 40d which consumes on the highway at 130km / h 5.5 liters per 100km. This amounts to a price of €26.40 for 300km.

You get back on the road and let your BMW iX level 2 autonomous driving do, which for me is one of the most advanced on the market. The car changes lane following an action on your part on the direction indicator stalk. The car will check thanks to its dozens of sensors if the maneuver is possible. Point of phantom braking or hazardous intervention of the car as at Tesla. 

Coming off the freeway and thinking you can have fun on the secondary network? Unfortunately, the car's 2.5 tons come to you pretty quickly. The car is heavy. It really feels. Even if the braking is good, thanks to mode B which will slow down the car by turning the electric motors in the other direction, you will have the impression of weight when you go up the pace in sequences of turns. The car rolls while remaining sound, thanks to its low center of gravity due to the batteries in the floor. The steering lacks a lot of feedback, but that's not a problem in a car that wants to be comfortable. The maintenance of the seats is not the best of the brand. They don't hold you down enough to make you happy like in a real BMW.Pity…

This weight is however well contained with the adoption of PFC (plastic reinforced with carbon) on the entire structure of the car like the i3. Aluminum is also found throughout the body panels. Despite everything, the weight remains high for a reason: the capacity of the car battery. With 111.5 kWh of battery (105.2 useful) it is one of the largest capacities on the global automotive market for a passenger car.

Considering its size and weight, this car still has quite impressive agility. But it's not a sports car.

Do you want to overtake cyclists who take the whole road? No worries, you can erase them with a simple press of the right pedal and presto, in no time they are overtaken in complete safety for them and for you. Thanks to the approval of the electric motor.

You arrive at your destination and the entrance to your country house is a bit tricky? The cameras and all the vision assistance are there to help you avoid damaging your car. If you ever tell yourself that this time you were lucky but next time you're scared, don't worry, BMW has you covered. During the next update, the car will be able to record the last 10 maneuvers and the last 500 meters, to redo them identically. A capability that will be a world first. Thanks to the computing power available in this vehicle, the most geeks among you will appreciate.

In terms of consumption on a trip equivalent to mine during the test, you will tickle 26kWh/100km. We must take into account a fairly low temperature and rain during our test. Over a summer period, we would have easily consumed 4-5 kWh less on average. Which is rather a good figure contained in the size of the car.

You can finally connect to a terminal up to 11kW in AC on your arrival and you will have a recharge that will last a maximum of 10 hours. 

On the price side, this BMW iX hits the top of the basket, it's top of the range. The finish is very advanced, the materials are top quality and you have the best technologies available today on the market. It pays off. The BMW iX starts at €86,250 for the xDrive40 version and €103,500 for the xDrive50 version that I was able to try. The latter was all option and peaked at €131,855.

Is it more expensive than an equivalent X5 40d in terms of size and with not ridiculous performance? It's a bit more expensive. For an X5 40d with all options, it costs €123,450, but you won't have all the technologies of the iX. You will probably tell me about Tesla's Model X? I would answer you that here we are not on a smartphone with wheels but on a real car with a flawless finish.

As you will have understood, it is not a sports car but rather a new way of approaching the German brand. Comfort is king there, the reputation of a flashy car is erased. The pleasure in bends is less present, you will no longer have this pleasure of driving dynamically. But you will have another pleasure, that of traveling long distances in comfort and a very soothing atmosphere. More underlying firmness, no over pumping. You have the impression of being in an English car and not just any, the Range Rover. 

It is on this point that I want to insist. In a comfortable car, it's really not disturbing to have no engine noise, quite the contrary. You take advantage of this peace and it is really pleasant. In that, the BMW iX is an excellent car.

If you want a big electric car with enough range to zip around town with agility, packed with reliable and discreet technology then the iX is for you. Finally that you have the budget to buy this BMW iX, go for it. You will not regret it. In my eyes, BMW is repeating its masterstroke that was the i3 with a more mature and attractive car.

As you will have understood, all passengers will therefore be well pampered, and comfort remains the manufacturer's watchword. Despite the absence of a controlled suspension on this model here, the roughness of the road is quickly forgotten. The damping therefore absorbs faults well, without being heard or shaking the occupants. The non-ostentatious, not to say ugly, 17-inch rims of this Avantgarde Line finishaccentuate our feeling of magic carpet as a bonus. At least we get a good benefit from it. Otherwise, I particularly appreciated the excellent engine braking, intelligent moreover, by detecting for example the arrival on a roundabout. Conversely, I appreciated the not always invisible gearshifts a little less. Quite surprisingly. Well, it's really to quibble, because it's especially noticeable in hard acceleration and when you pay attention to it. In everyday life, nothing could be more normal, the 9G-Tronic box will be soft and imperceptible. In addition, the excellent soundproofing almost manages to make you forget a motorization that lacks nobility, and rolling noises are discreet. We can see ourselves traveling a few thousand km without seeing the slightest back or headache appear.

Whether in town, on the secondary network or on the highway, you can see that this fifth generation is at ease everywhere. It gets bigger (+6.5 cm), but does not become less manageable; I dare not imagine the ease of handling once the 4 steering wheels are available! We enjoy using it for each of our journeys, so it adapts easily to the situation. By being sometimes docile, with ideal approval, sometimes more playful and rigorous. Often precisely, during my many Mercedes tests, I am just as amazed by the comfort as by the efficiency. Here this last point jumped out at me a little less. Admittedly, the precision in the direction is always on the small onions, but the temperament as for him seemed to me more flabby. Inevitably, with its nearly 200 kg more on the scale, the dynamism takes a hit. If the plate remains rather stable, and the car manages to limit too obvious body movements, understeer can quickly point the tip of its nose in sustained driving. Obviously, we feel completely safe and the handling is impeccable. But it's not incisive like some competitors, or other models in the range. In addition, a brake pedal that is too spongy and difficult to adjust, somewhat spoils the pleasure of driving. This is obviously the most notable complaint I encountered during this test. Whether riding in a hurry or cool for that matter. Pity !