BMW iX50 M-Sport Real World Review
The BMW iX50 M-Sport
BMW’s flagship electric vehicle may not be easy on the eyes, but having been behind the wheel of the iX for several months, it’s easy to live with and impressive on the road.
The Looks
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way first (and at 2.5 tonnes the iX50 weighs as much as an Indian elephant); the looks. I was initially going to refer to it as a Marmite look, but whilst there are plenty of people that hate it, I’m yet to find anybody that will own up to loving it – divisive might be a better word. Personally, I don’t hate it and the enormous grill does become less offensive as you get used to seeing it, but definitely a face that only a mother would love!
The Range
Fortunately the iX50 makes up for its unflattering front end with nifty performance, an exquisite interior, and range that most avid motorists could live with. The iX is the first fully electric car that I have considered, the main reason being that the range is finally becoming acceptable. The government’s WLTP figures quote some 380 miles and whilst I have not managed more than 320 (probably more to do with my driving style than the car) the distance now allows me to drive to the coast and back without having to worry about the insufficient charging infrastructure.
The Interior
Everything about the BMW iX SUV is different. Frameless doors, electric push button interior door release and a panoramic roof that can be clear or opaque at the press of a button. The large touch screen, which is both functional and responsive, makes the initial setup of the car fairly easy. That being said, the task of changing things like the blower fan speed or turning the heated seats on or off whilst on the move does present a little more of a challenge; this is an unfortunate symptom of the modern car industry, and at least the heated rear screen is still on a conventional button.
I’m not normally a fan of in-car sound systems and generally find them lacking in both sound quality and depth of sound, however, the Bowers & Wilkins system in the iX is exceptional.
The interior space is great, and I would say comparable with a full-fat Range Rover. The boot is not exactly generous considering the iX’s size, and the absence of a “froot” under that protracted bonnet is disappointing for a car built on a dedicated electric platform. There is however plenty of leg room in the rear, and the lack of a transmission tunnel provides a flat floor throughout, giving additional space in front; so humans will benefit from the limited cargo space. The quality of the interior is also excellent, although for me at least it lacks the je ne sais quoi of the Range Rover.
The Drive
So, on to the driving. The iX is a lively car and the straight-line performance is as much as you will ever need on UK roads. The 0-60 figure of 4.6 seconds does not reflect the ease in which the car achieves this feat. The quiet and seemingly effortless way in which the car gets off the spot and reaches the maximum allowable speeds in the UK is remarkable for a 2 and a half tonne SUV.
Much of my driving is along B-Roads and country lanes, and in comfort mode the iX feels quite soft and unwieldy. But, change the mode to sport and the car is transformed. The air suspension firms up, and the throttle response is quicker. The car inspires confidence, and I have driven few road cars and certainly no SUVs that can catapult you out of a corner in such an impressive way!
The Verdict
I consider myself to be a bit of a petrol-head. I have always had a healthy interest in cars and bikes, and there is something special about the sound of a performance engine whether it is normally aspirated, turbo or supercharged. The one thing that the iX lacks is character. It feels untouched by the human hand. The electronic steering does not provide much by way of feel, and the almost silent electric drivetrain make the whole process feel a little too sterile for my taste. If you need zest and character, perhaps consider the smaller BMW iX3, with a more tactile interior, energetic cornering, and interior sound effects composed by Hans Zimmer. However, this is the future, and as electric cars go, this one is extremely comfortable and capable.
Colin Mather