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2023 BMW iX
Starting at $85.095
Highs Gut-punch EV power, cossetting ride quality, futuristic and fashionable interior.
Lows Styling won’t appeal to everyone, rear-seat riders sit low, high-performance M60 model is downright expensive.
Verdict If the iX is the harbinger of BMW’s electric future, tomorrow is looking bright.
Overview
BMW’s electrified future is previewed by the 2023 iX SUV, which offers similar space and practicality as the brand’s popular X5, but with cutting-edge flair. Two electric motors provide all-wheel drive and more than ample power—516 hp in the xDrive50 and a whopping 610 hp in the M60—while a large battery pack delivers enough juice for an estimated driving range of over 300 miles per charge. The iX’s spacious interior is lined with fine materials and features a fancy, futuristic design; a large digital dashboard displays the future of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system and is controlled by a cool see-through rotary knob on the center console. The iX has what it takes to compete with established all-electric rivals such as the Audi e-tron and the Tesla Model X, and should stack up well against newcomers such as the Fisker Ocean and the Rivian R1S.
What’s New for 2023?
The high-performance M60 model joins the lineup for 2023, complete with a 610-hp all-electric powertrain and an estimated 280-mile driving range. It rides on an air suspension that adapts to sporty driving. Elsewhere, the individual Convenience, Dynamic Handling, and Luxury packages have been consolidated into one big pile of features and sold as the Ultimate package.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
xDrive50: $85,095
M60: $109,895
While we admit to being intrigued by the more powerful and more expensive M60 model, we expect it to command a significant premium over the xDrive50 trim. For now, we’ll recommend the xDrive50, which comes standard with most every luxury and convenience feature that its price tag should.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
Two different variants of the iX are on offer, the first being the xDrive50, which is powered by a pair of electric motors that combine to make 516 hp; all-wheel drive is standard. In our testing, the iX xDrive50 scooted to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. The high-performance variant, called M60, offers a whopping 610 hp and we estimate that’s enough to rocket the mid-size SUV to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. An adjustable air suspension and a rear-wheel-steering system are both optional on the entry-level xDrive 50 and standard on the M60. During our initial test drive of an xDrive50 model, we noted plentiful power, surprising energy efficiency, agile handling, and a smooth ride.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The iX sports a large 105.2-kWh battery pack that the EPA estimates will offer up to 324 miles of driving range per charge. When we tested the iX on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test we were surprised by its range. Normally, highway driving quickly reduces the overall driving range of an EV and the result is a fraction of its overall range estimate, but the iX recorded an impressive 290 miles of range in our test. DC fast charging capability is standard and the iX can recharge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 35 minutes when hooked up to a 200-kW connection. BMW has partnered with EVgo to provide a network of public charging stations for iX drivers, but the SUV is able to charge on other popular networks, as well as through a Level 2 home charging station.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA estimates that the most efficient iX model is the one equipped with the standard 20-inch wheels, which earned ratings of 86 MPGe city and 87 MPGe highway. Going with one of the iX’s larger sets of wheels reduces those numbers, but only slightly. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route the iX managed only a 81 MPGe result, but provided an excellent 290 miles of range. For more information about the iX’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Bimmer SUV is about the same size as the company’s mid-size X5 and X6 crossovers, and its passenger and cargo space is similar to those models as well. The iX’s interior design is both simple and modern with a host of high-tech elements including a large curved touchscreen instrument panel and a hexagonal-shaped steering wheel. BMW offers a large panoramic sunroof featuring electrochromic shading as an option—a trick feature found on only a few vehicles.
Read More https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/ix
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