BMW iX xDrive50 Sport Review

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is the flagship of the German luxury maker’s new electric SUV line-up, at least until the even more expensive and more powerful iX M60 comes along.

The iX is the third pure electric vehicle to come from BMW following on from the radical i3 in 2013 and the far more conservative and orthodox X3-based iX3 in 2021.

A ground-up BEV with no direct relation in the BMW ICE line-up, the iX line-up offers powerful dual motor drivetrains, a choice of large battery packs with long range, an innovative and spacious interior and looks from some angles only a mother could love.

Value

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is priced at $169,900 plus on-road costs. Its cheaper siblings are the $135,900 iX xDrive40 and $141,900 iX xDrive40 Sport.

Rivals for the top-spec iX include the $168,400 tri-motor Audi e-Tron S quattro , the $155,550 Jaguar I-Pace HSE EV400, the cheapest $176,600 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and the unobtanium Tesla Model X.

The $141,300 Mercedes-Benz EQC Sport lines up against cheaper iXs. The forthcoming Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV will be a more logical rival for the top-speccers.

Standard equipment the iX xDrive50 Sport shares with the other iX models includes a five-year Chargefox subscription (allowing free charging across the Chargefox network), powered, heated and massaging front seats, ambient lighting, four-zone climate control, satellite-navigation, Harman Kardon audio, a digital radio, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection.

With the 40 Sport it shares 22-inch alloy wheels, standard metallic paint and a sports package that is predominantly dress-up. The 50 Sport alone boasts a panoramic glass roof, Laserlight headlights, air suspension on both axles, soft-close doors and integral active steering, which turns all four wheels and has speed-sensitivity for easier wheel-twirling in town.

The iX family is protected by a short three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. It has on-demand service intervals and servicing packages that start at $1520 for four years’ coverage.

The battery warranty is eight years/160,000km.

Interior

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is like no other BMW you’ve ever sat in. Unless, that is, you’re one of the few people to sit in an i3, then you might see some family resemblances.

Stuff that’s reminiscent includes the open nature of the cockpit with its flat floor, two-spoke steering wheel (although it’s hexagonal in the iX), low dashboard, high seating position and massive windscreen offering a clear view.

Then there’s the single-piece full-digital display that sits like a slightly curving fence across two-thirds of the dashboard. It actually houses two screens, the 12.3-inch instrument panel and the 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen.

BMW has worked hard to minimise buttons and the result is lots of re-learnings for grumpy old fogeys like me. There’s no car I have tested in years where I’ve spent more time parked trying to figure out how to access basic functions.

Yes, there are some shortcuts, but you still have to dive into the touchscreen to adjust the climate control, which is a negative. Even with a shortcut, adjusting things like regenerative brake force and turning off annoying lane departure prevention (which keeps switching itself back on with each ignition cycle) take too many steps.

The best way to attack it all is via the cut glass Comand dial and its adjacent buttons on the ‘diving board’ (my name) that juts out in front of the large central lidded bin.

Another way of working your way around the controls is voice control. Sadly that function along with phone connection, stereo and volume control all gave up the ghost half-a-day into this test.

It’s possible I pressed the wrong combination of buttons at some point, but more likely something failed in BMW’s new operating system 8.0, which is introduced with this car.

BMW has promised an explanation. We’ll provide an update here if we hear back.

UPDATE: BMW has got back to us and says this was a problem fixed by a simple reset, something a dealer can manage. It urges iX owners to make sure their smartphones are updated with the latest operating system software to avoid similar issues.

Speaking of things going missing. Every BMW in living memory has had a row of favourites buttons on the dash. This one doesn’t and it really needs them.

The iX is marvellously spacious in the back seat and looks after passengers with some nice appointments, including twin USB-C outlets in each of the hard-shell backrests of the front seats, dual-zone climate control and generous storage.

There is no third row seating option.

The boot only offers 500 litres of space, expanding to a more competitive 1750 litres with the rear seat folded. There is no frunk with power system gubbins occupying the space under the bonnet.

Performance and efficiency

The 2022 iX xDrive50 Sport is powered by a 190kW/365Nm e-motor mounted on the front axle and a 230kW/400Nm e-motor mounted on the rear axle. The combined outputs are 385kW and 765Nm.

The motors are electrically excited, which means they eschew magnets and rare earth materials. That’s a good thing.

The powertrain is fuelled by a 112kWh Li-ion battery (105kWh usable) and BMW claims a 620km ADR range. However, the average consumption claim is 23kWh per 100km.

And that later number was exactly in-line with our experience across a drive that started in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and negotiated local streets, arterials, freeways, highways, byways, climbs, descents and some hard acceleration tests.

Speaking of acceleration… for all that power and torque, the 0-100km/h claim is a relatively modest 4.6 seconds. It’s reflected in real-world experience where flat-our throttle acceleration was met with solid progress. The tune of the drivetrain is more about broad response than a Porsche-like headline number.

Finally, a 2500kg braked towing capacity is worth noting. It’s pretty darn good for an EV; the iX can currently tow more than any other battery electric vehicle available in Australia.

Charging

The 2022 iX xDrive50 Sport comes with a Combined Charging Unit (CCS port and plug to you and me) allowing charging capabilities of up to 7.4kW on single phase AC power, 11kW on three-phase AC and 200kW using DC fast-charging.

Plug into a standard wall socket and max charging rate is, well slow. The most efficient wallbox takes 10 hours 45 minutes to reach 100 percent charge and a fast charger as little as 35 minutes to reach 80 percent.

Unlike some rivals, its electrical system is 400 volts rather than more fashionable 800V.

Brake energy regeneration helps add electricity to the battery on the move and also allows you to play the ‘look no feet on the brake pedal’ game as you roll up to red lights.

Ride and handling

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is roughly the same size as the X5 SUV. It weighs in heavier at 2510kg but has a lower centre of gravity thanks to the giant battery pack slung between the axles. That pack also explains the 3000mm wheelbase.

So there’s pretty decent and stable handling without a lot of ponderous blowsiness.

The iX’s clever electric all-wheel drive system plays its part, monitoring power and torque and shuttling it appropriately between the axles and wheels. Torque vectoring helps out in corners as necessary..

The air springs operating with the independent front and rear suspension is supple at one extreme and diligently firm at the other, depending on which of three driving modes you choose.

The iX really is beautifully tuned and does a marvellous job considering the weight and low profile rubber it must deal with. That Pirelli rubber isn’t run-flat by the way, so you’re out there on your own if you cop a flat in the boondocks.

Back in town, the iX delivers neat manoeuvrability courtesy of that clever steering system. There are enough cameras and sensors to make the chances less likely of running into something solid.

Of course the other factor is the quietness the iX delivers. On smooth bitumen it is very quiet even for an EV, but once the coarse bitumen arrives there are some intrusions.

And then there’s the adaptive recuperation mode that varies the braking intensity depending on what is coming ahead, such as an intersection. Trouble is the last thing you need are braking levels that vary arbitrarily moment-by-moment. Thankfully it can be driver-adjusted to a preferred assistance level.

As an SUV the iX is theoretically an off-roader and BMW even publishes approach, departure and breakover angles. It’s hard to imagine anyone testing them out.

Party tricks

So let’s talk about the styling of the 2022 BMW xDrive50 Sport. From some angles – side-on, rear three-quarter – it’s actually pretty cool. But the front! OMG, those Beaver chompers!.

But here’s the cool thing about this outlandish grille. It’s not a grille at all. It’s actually a completely sealed unit that houses camera, radar and other sensor tech. And here’s the party trick, it’s covered by a polyurethane coating that can self-repair nicks and scratches just sitting out getting warmed in the sun.

Cleverly, the iX’s panoramic sunroof included an electrochromatic function that darkens as the sun brightens.

Another cool thing worth highlighting is the structure of the iX, which starts with an aluminium spaceframe and adds in carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic inner panels. Some of the CFRP is visible around the door pillars.

There are also a heap of sustainable and recycled materials, including wood, textiles and leather. The use of chrome has been reduced up to 90 per cent inside and out.  

All this is proof that while i3 might have been bind alley as a production car, its lessons have been learned and passed on to new vehicles.

Safety

In terms of safety gear the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport includes six airbags and a long list of driver assistants that BMW claims is the most comprehensive ever offered in one of its models.

The front collision warning system detects oncoming traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians when turning.

Steering and lane control assistant have been significantly expanded, while other new features include exit warning and a remote theft recording.

Active cruise control with stop & go function, a head up display, parking assist including a reversing camera are also standard features.

All iX models come with a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2021 protocols.

Verdict

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is in different ways compelling, confusing and calming.

Its price makes it the purchase option of just a privileged few.

But as an indication of the seriousness with which BMW now treats BEVs, this vehicle is as bright and attention-getting as a flare fired into an inky black night sky.

So maybe the iX is not for everyone, but it’s got a lot of us keenly waiting for what comes next from BMW.

BMW iX xDrive50 Sport specifications

Price: $169,900, plus on-road costs

Basics: EV, 5 seats, SUV, AWD

Range: 620km

Battery capacity: 105kWh (usable)

Battery warranty: 8 years, 160,000km

Energy consumption: 23.0kWh/100km

Motors: 1 front, 1 rear, combined 385kW/765Nm

AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug

DC charging: 200kW, CCS combo plug

0-100km/h: 4.6