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By Jonathan Crouch

BMW re-set the standard for large, luxury EV Crossovers with this iX. Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

BMW has revitalised its large electric luxury SUV, the iX. A smarter look is matched by bigger batteries with greater EV range, plus there's sharper handling and more power too. In short, this car now makes more of a statement - in more ways than one.

Backgroundword count: 155

Back in 2021, BMW's iX large luxury SUV was claimed to represent everything the brand knew about EV technology, which turned out to be quite a lot. This was the brand's first 4WD EV and it used the fifth generation of the Bavarian maker's e-motor and battery technology, bolted into a carbonfibre-rich structure that was more innovative than anything we'd seen from the company since the i3. In other areas, the iX looked less advanced - with its combustion model-influenced CLAR platform and relatively old-tech 400V electrical infrastructure. Fast-forward four years and the competition was starting to make this Bavarian model look a little dated, for all its futuristic looks. Hence the importance of the mid-term update we look at here, which arrived in early 2025. Key rivals like the Mercedes EQE SUV, the Audi Q8 e-tron, the Polestar 3 and the Volvo EX90 now need to fear this BMW just that little bit more.

Driving Experienceword count: 396

Lots of engineering work's gone on as part of this update, with greater EV range and what BMW calls 'a major focus on driving dynamics'. As before, there's a choice of three iX variants, all using the same twin-motor four wheel drive configuration - and they all get bigger batteries. Things kick off with the iX xDrive45, which now has a 94.8kWh battery (up from 71kWh with the previous xDrive40), 408hp and a 374 mile range (up from 257 miles), with 62mph in 5.1s. Next up is the xDrive60 which has a 109.1kWh battery (up from 105.2kWh for the old xDrive50), 544hp and a 426 mile range (up 34 miles on the previous model), with 62mph in 4.5s. Both versions top out at 124mph. As before, the summit of the iX range is marked by an M version, but it's now called M70 rather than M60. This flagship variant's battery is much the same unit as that of the xDrive60 (though is slightly tweaked to 108.9kWh), but the 668hp dual motor set-up (up from 619hp with the old M60) is considerably more powerful, taking this range-topper to 62mph in just 3.8s en route to 155mph. Range is up to 366 miles and this ultimate iX gets active rear steering and M Sport brakes. As before, across the range bolted to the aluminium-intensive chassis is a suspension set-up featuring double wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) springs, but there's still no air suspension system on mainstream models, though Adaptive two-axle Air Suspension features on the M70. Across the range, BMW says it's worked on the dampers for extra cornering stability. The engineers have also worked on the chassis to allow for the extra power - and subtly altered the weight balance. Otherwise, it's much as before. There are 'High', 'Moderate' or 'Low' Brake Energy Regeneration settings. Plus activating driving position B with the selector lever generates so much off-throttle retardation that you'll virtually never have to use the brake pedal except when coming to a standstill. Using the alternative 'Adaptive' regen setting, the iX can also manage its own levels of brake recuperate to charge its battery on the move. When approaching a junction for example, the degree of recuperation will be increased. On the open road meanwhile, the coasting function sees the car 'freewheeling' with no drive power whenever the driver takes their foot off the accelerator.

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