To stand out in today’s extremely competitive market, a vehicle needs to be more than just ‘good.’ There are plenty of good cars out there, what it needs is to excel in a particular area, preferably one that its target market is most interested in. The M3 and M4 are great examples of class-leading models that over-deliver despite very high expectations. But these are models that have been honed and refined for generations.
The BMW iX is a completely different type of car to what BMW used to make even 10 years ago. It is the first generation of an ultra-luxurious EV SUV, and while electric powertrains are not new to BMW, this combination of performance, luxury, and high-tech design is something that didn’t and couldn’t exist a decade ago. Introduced in 2021, the iX is BMW’s second all-electric offering after the i3 and represents the pinnacle of its EV products.
Since then, the EV range has expanded greatly, and the i7 saloon is arguably even more opulent, but the iX remains the range-topper amongst the SUVs, and has recently been given a mid-life refresh or Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) in BMW speak. Power outputs and range have increased across all three trims, which have also been renamed to signify their loftier outputs. The range in South Africa now comprises of the iX xDrive45 and the iX xDrive60.
The South African BMW iX Range
| Model | iX xDrive45 M Sport | Ix xDrive60 M Sport |
| Power | 300kW | 400kW |
| Torque | 700NM | 765NM |
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds | 4.6 seconds |
| Range | 490-602km | 563-701km |
| Base Price | R 2 249 000.00 | R 2 689 000.00 |
Warp Speed Acceleration
A range-topping iX xDrive M70 is available in certain markets. It produces 478kW along with a neck-snapping 1,100NM of torque. Having lived with the xDriveM60 which produces a ‘mere’ 400KW for a week, we can confirm that only those training to be jet fighter pilots will require the performance of the M70. In daily driving, the xDrive M60 not only feels like it simply teleports from one traffic light to the next, it does so in such an imperious fashion that it makes traditionally fast petrol-powered cars seem laughably archaic. The 4.6-second 0-100km/h time lulls you into thinking that it will be merely a fast SUV, not a ballistic one.
But the immediacy of the acceleration and the relentless push every time you floor the accelerator pedal is so intense that that figure feels like a blatant lie. Independent tests have shown that the real number is closer to 4.0 seconds flat. The bottom line is that you will need Shaun Van Der Linde piloting the M3 next to you to beat you in a traffic light grand prix. Perhaps more relevant is the claimed 563-701km range on a charge. We found this figure was very sensitive to how enthusiastic you are with your right foot. Gentle driving around town yielded an average of 17 kWh/100km, while a less measured approach quickly pushed that figure up to over 25 kWh/100km. The 113.4 kWh battery pack will go from 10-80% charge in just 35 mintues using a 195-kW charger, but in South Africa the more relevant statistic is the 5 hours and 45 minutes it takes to charge the battery at a 22kW charging station.
It Doesn’t Really Need To Be This Quick
You will never trouble the full 400kW and 700NM on offer on your daily commute, as the iX would be just as pleasant to drive with half this amount of power. We found that leaving the car in its non-sporty mode and setting the drive selector to B for extra brake regeneration allowed for easy one pedal driving and helped extend the predicted range figures.
Aside from the ballistic acceleration, what really makes the iX stand out is the way it glides over the battle-scarred terrain that most South Africans have to deal with every day. It may have 22-inch wheels, and great body control, but the iX simply shrugs off cracked tar, potholes and other reminders of poor governance like another massive lunch at the taxpayers’ expense.
The seats are supremely comfortable, with heating for both front and rear rows, while occupants up front also get ventilation and a massaging function. There are plenty of electric SUVs out there to pick from, but the iX excels in the details. The seat heating also warms up the armrests on either side as well as the carpeted footwell area. The panoramic sunroof turns translucent or opaque at the touch a of a button, and the sound system makes even the ramblings of the radio DJs seem informative and entertaining.
A Master of All Trades
The 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment layout will be familiar to owners of newer BMWs, but the rest of the design still feels different enough to make the iX stand out from the range. It doesn’t offer the extreme opulence of a 7 Series, but the ride comfort feels at least as good, and that Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System is just superb. The press unit was finished in Arctic Race Blue metallic with the Castanea leather interior, which is a pleasant reddish-brown colour. While it was packed with optional equipment, we would highly recommend the adaptive 2-axle air suspension, and that amazing Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Both made a big difference to the overall driving experience. The only complaints came from the passengers in the rear, who wanted the windows to go all the way down – they stop around the halfway point. Another aspect that afflicts other high-spec BMWs was the reflection caused by the glass iDrive controller whenever the sun shone on it.
Aside from this, the refreshed BMW iX range is almost perfect. The pricing is competitive with rivals like the Volvo EX90 and Mercedes-Benz EQS, and you get more performance and a more dynamic drive from the iX xDrive60. Both rivals offer a third row of seats, but neither can go quite as far on a single charge as the top-spec iX can. And there is always the option of the very capable iX xDrive45, which for a saving of over R400,000 offers a similar experience. So, BMW’s first fully electric SUV isn’t just a standout offering, it excels in every area. If an electric SUV fits your lifestyle, this is arguably the best option currently available on the South African market.
