Yahoo Autos 2023 BMW iX Review: The beauty is on the inside
Pros: Exquisite interior design; superb performance; long electric range and quick charging; comfortable ride; whisper quiet
Cons: Frustrating tech; polarizing exterior styling; desirable driving assists are options
The 2023 BMW iX SUV is leading its brand’s latest wave of electric cars. It makes a statement anywhere it goes with a controversial exterior design, but get past that, and you'll discover a beautifully crafted luxury SUV that's comfortable to cruise in and surprisingly engaging when driven hard.
Interior design is where the iX really shines. Picking up where the old i3 left off, the iX cabin looks like a BMW from the future with beautiful materials quality and bold color choices. It looks unlike anything else on the market. Technology is not surprisingly front-and-center, with large, pretty screens. Unfortunately, they're saddled with BMW's latest infotainment system, which continues to frustrate our editors despite the promise of an updated version coming in the near future. No complaints about cabin space, though, as the back seat and cargo area are huge. Some may note it doesn't offer a third-row seat, but those offered by Mercedes and Tesla are of questionable use.
The ride quality is among the best available from BMW and extremely good compared to the competition. It favors the firm side, but that, along with reasonably good steering and a talkative chassis make it fun to drive. The extra power of the iX M60 only adds to the fun. And with ranges exceeding 300 miles on the regular xDrive50 models, you can have fun driving it for long periods of time without having to stop for a charge. All-in-all, the iX is a luxury electric crossover that feels genuinely special and practical, particularly for the price. If you're in the market, it's a must-see.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Trim Levels | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2023?
The new model year brings the introduction of the BMW iX M60. The new range topper gets a new rear motor and can produce a maximum of 610 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque. Besides the motor, it also gets upgraded brakes and different anti-roll bars to improve stopping and handling. Visually, it features the same Sport exterior package available on the xDrive50, and is only identifiable by its bronze badging.
What are the iX interior and in-car technology like?
The iX interior is one of its finest attributes. It's unlike any other BMW, featuring a design that wouldn't be out of place in a modern art museum. The razor-sharp curved instrument and infotainment screens float above the steeply raked dash via long, delicate-looking arms. The door design, air vents and upholstery all feature crisp angles and geometric designs. Even the steering wheel is hexagonal (though we don't exactly love that, it's called a steering wheel for a reason). Unique materials are available, too, including microfiber and wool upholstery, real wood trim and infotainment controls made from crystal. It's a unique and luxurious cabin befitting a flagship electric SUV.
The infotainment system is a major point of frustration. The 14.9-inch screen is prominently placed, the graphics are crisp and we always appreciate a redundant control knob, but BMW has stuffed so much into the touchscreen interface that it's very difficult to figure out and then use. The main app screen looks like a computer desktop packed edge-to-edge with tiny icons -- good luck finding and then pressing anything while driving. Common controls like heated seats or adaptive cruise control distance settings are stuffed into sub-menus. The satellite radio interface seems to have been designed by someone who has never used satellite radio before. We also experienced some glitches during one of our lengthier test drives. BMW claims that some of its user-interface issues can be alleviated by relying on the car's voice commands, but that amounts to a work-around, and furthermore, they didn't work particularly well, either. BMW has announced a future over-the-air update for the iX, but we haven't tested the updated iDrive 8.5 to see if it addresses our concerns.
How big is the iX?
The BMW iX measures 195 inches long, 77.4 inches wide and 66.8 inches tall. That puts it a couple inches longer than an Audi Q8 E-Tron, a few inches shorter than a Model X and about half a foot shorter in length to the Mercedes EQS SUV, which offers the option of a third-row seat (that's not particularly useful). It weighs around 5,700 pounds, depending on configuration, which is roughly equivalent to the Audi, and a few hundred pounds lighter than the Mercedes. The Model X is lighter than all of them, though at just under 5,200 pounds.
Sitting up front, the cabin is airy and spacious. The seats are large and slightly firm with plenty of adjustment. The seating position is high up, and with the falling dashboard, the feeling is almost minivan-like in the best possible way. The rear seating area feels a little darker, but it's still very roomy with a firm but fairly supportive rear bench. You'll find more room for legs and child seats than a gas-powered SUV of similar exterior dimensions.
Cargo space with the rear seats up is 35.5 cubic feet and 77.9 with them folded. This is in keeping with two-row midsize SUVs and our own testing backed that up. You will find more in a Mercedes EQS SUV and Tesla Model X, however.
