We remember BMW's first stab at an electric vehicle (EV)when we first drove an i3 half a decade ago. Memories of that experience include being overwhelmed at how much different the i3 looked both inside and out, not to mention the silent, torquey driving experience. Fast forward to this most recent festive period and BMW approached the AutoTrader team with an opportunity to spend a month with its latest EV, the iX, a product with similar dimensions to an X5. Within minutes of our first encounter, that familiar feeling crept up on us, accompanied by a child-like wonder as we were in awe of just how different the iX is from pretty much anything we had ever driven.
Styling
While it is an EV like many other products on the market, its design and execution are markedly different from anything else currently (pardon the pun) sold in South Africa. The underpinnings of the iX features some of the brand's familiar modular CLAR platform, but it is mostly bespoke, with an aluminium spaceframe, and other exotic materials such as thermoplastics and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) as well as steel and aluminium in the construction of the body. The materials and bespoke platform have allowed BMW to create an exterior design like no other. We are not sure that we would deem it attractive, but it is certainly one of the most distinctive cars you are likely to encounter on our roads.
There is a gigantic pair of kidney grilles, large lower air dams, slim LED headlamps, a smooth side profile with integrated door handles and an angular, highly surfaced rear-end with clear-lens LED taillights. These features along with the likes of its aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels make the iX unique among the crop of EVs sold in South Africa at the time of writing. Our press car was finished in Black Sapphire Metallic with contrasting rose gold accents, which lead some of the general public to comment that it appears like an automotive version of Apple's iPhone. The design is not all for show, though, as the iX sports an impressive .25 drag coefficient, which is far superior to its internal combustion-powered sibling, the X5, which has a figure of .36.
Interior and space
The interior of the iX is where we were totally blown away, with materials and general ergonomics that we simply have not seen in a production car as of yet. In what has become an increasing trend in the automotive world of late, there is a large rectangular slab on top of the dashboard which houses two screens, a 14.9-inch central infotainment system with the latest iDrive 8 operating system which works in tandem with the 12.3-inch digitised instrument cluster. As in other BMW models, there is a voice-activated personal assistant, gesture control, haptic feedback and touch screen functionality, however, the systems in the iX are certainly improved and feature 5G connectivity. Both the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wonderfully, while the general response and user interface of the system is among the best we have tested. User beware, though, it will take time to get used to all of the functions and features available in the system.
The materials used inside are pleasing, with incredibly soft leathers, the same rose gold-coloured metals seen on the exterior accents, a wood panel in the centre console that features volume and toggle dials made from crystal glass. Since there is no need for a transmission and therefore, a transmission tunnel, the centre console is separate from the dashboard, simultaneously creating an impression that the centre stack and lower wireless charging pad are floating, while also creating a more spacious feel from occupants in the front row. There is also a large panoramic sunroof contributing to the airy feel of the cabin, which can also be tinted at the push of a button. The inner part of the front doors is also beautifully formed, with a button to open the front door instead of a handle, yellow-tinted crystal glass adjustment levers for the electric seats and integrated Harmon Kardon surround sound speakers near the front air vent. We have to make mention of that steering wheel, too, which is hexagonal and rather large in diameter, befitting of what is a breath of fresh air in terms of interior design.
From a practicality perspective, the flat floor at the rear means that three occupants can sit in the iX in comfort, and despite the battery pack being mounted beneath the floor, there is enough leg and knee room as well as sufficiently high seats which also do not intrude on headroom. The boot offers 500-litres of space, and with the second row of seats folded flat(electrically), the vehicle offers 1750-litres of space. The iX can also tow, with a braked capacity of 2 500kg, while off-roading should be possible too, with 203mm of ground clearance, a break-over angle of 17.5, a departure angle of 20.7 and a wading depth of 379mm.
Performance and driving impression
The wonderfully alien interior and exterior are complemented by a serene driving experience devoid of many sounds, unless the vehicle is in Sport mode, in which case a Jetsons-esque whirr can be heard. The cabin intrusion, road noise and general refinement on our pot-hole infested roads was commendable, particularly when you hop out of a car with an internal combustion engine and back into the iX, where the sound of silence is no longer restricted to Simon and Garfunkel.
Despite being the entry point into the iX range, our xDrive40 press car's 6.1 second 0-100km/h sprint time and 200km/h top speed felt more than sufficient, particularly when the 240kW and 630Nm of torque are available instantly from the brand's fifth-generation electric motors. While it is difficult to disguise a kerb weight in excess of 2 300kg, the low centre of gravity, enormous 255/50 R21 tyres and some clever chassis tuning by BMW engineers mean that the iX is surprisingly adept in the handling department.
An EV driving impression is never complete without confronting how much range anxiety crept into our mind while using the car as daily transport. In all fairness, the vehicle came from a postponed media launch, so it was not delivered with an adapter for home charging, which meant we had to find the nearest fast charger whenever we needed a top-up, which became tiresome, however, with the addition of a home charger, we think that most of the anxiety we experienced would wane significantly.
Safety
The iX range was crash-tested by the Euro NCAP assessment programme in 2021, where it achieved the maximum 5-Star rating. The rating includes 91% for adult occupant safety, 87% for child occupant safety, 73% for pedestrian safety and 81% for its safety assistance systems.
Fuel economy
With a 76.6 kWh battery pack and a usable capacity of 71 kWh, BMW claim that the iX xDrive40 will go 372 to 425km between charges, with a claimed consumption figure of 25.5 kWh/100km. Our mixed driving cycle meant that realistically 320km was where we were comfortable taking the car before finding a fast charger. As mentioned, without the home charging option, we had to find an external charging source, which was at a shopping mall, where we charged the vehicle from 52% to 100% in the time it took to grab some lunch, while a charge from around 15% to 100% took around two hours.
During our extended trips, we always ensured that around 10% of the battery charge was still intact when charging the car, meaning that around 350km is achievable in the iX, but we are certain that most owners will not allow their battery to run into single digits and will instead top-up the charge at their home each day, as we all do with our smartphones.
Pricing
The iX xDrive40 retails for R1 650 000, which is a fantastic price for a product of its size, especially considering the high tax placed on EVs. The model comes with a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan as well as an 8-year/100 000km battery warranty. As with all premium products, there are many optional extras available that can inflate the base price dramatically.
Verdict
The iX is a deeply impressive EV from one of the most successful brands in the business. Its combination of usability, luxury and refinement in a package that is so far from the status quo is perhaps the most impressive aspect of the vehicle. While the Jaguar I-Pace and Porsche Taycan were the first EVs that made sense to us in the local market thanks to how much range they offered and indeed how traditional they were in terms of their design, the iX is the first EV that we have driven that flips the rule book, offering something totally new and exciting, while still being easy to live with. While we were satisfied with the performance of this xDrive40 model, the range is not quite enough, leading us to recommend the admittedly more costly xDrive50 version, which offers more performance and claims to offer over 500km on a single charge.
