Test-Driving The 2025 BMW iX—From Caterpillar To Butterfly
BMW iX
When sitting at traffic lights in a BMW iX in 2021, a van driver rolled down his window to shout 'Not the prettiest, is it?" Five minutes later, a gentleman asked me where he could buy one.
It's continued to divide opinion since its release, but BMW has recently introduced some desirable changes to what could be their best car yet.
There's no escaping the large kidney grille, but a new mesh pattern enhances things, and buyers can now specify an illuminated grille surround.
Likewise, the black trapezoid (cheek) sections found previously below each headlight are now body-coloured on Sport models, and have been replaced entirely with sharp inlets on M Sport models; the headlights are new too.
It's less visually awkward, and dare I say it: it's a handsome brute, but then, I've always harboured fondness for the iX.
BMW iX
£75,000 ($75,150) gets you the entry-level iX xDrive45, which adds 82 bhp and 125lb ft over its predecessor, the xDrive40. This means 408 bhp and 516lb ft, while BMW claims the larger 94.8Wh battery will return 374 miles, a 100-mile increase.
Upgrading to M Sport costs £3,000 ($4,500), but this only adds extra trim bits and if you want the more powerful xDrive60, like the model tested here, you'll need to spend an additional £15,000, or $13,350 for those overseas.
I was collected in a 7 Series so I didn't get lost in the Cotswolds countryside, which I did anyway, but that's another story. I was reclined; the massager attempting to loosen 30 years of back knots as the chair cooled my behind—bliss.
2025 BMW iX
Wafting around the English countryside in the iX was almost as blissful. I wasn't reclined, the local 5-0 would frown at that, nor did I have a massive 31-inch TV to gawk at, but I was serene.
My sound meter recorded 63 dB at 60mph as the wind whipped around its wing mirrors without a whisper, and at lower speeds, the meter dipped to 59 dB. Even with the monstrous 22-inch wheels fitted it was silent, but that's helped with BMW's foam absorption technology, which reduces tyre noise. It's eerily quiet.
BMW iX boot
The cabin is airy and light and you feel usefully perched forward. There's heaps of room and opening the boot reveals a large 1,750-liter cargo area.
If you fancy a bit of fun, the iX will also oblige. It's no sports car, of course, but it will still corner precisely and respond to sharp steering inputs. The xDrive60 feeds 544 bhp and 564lb ft through all four wheels, meaning 0-to-62 mph takes 4.6 seconds; the top end is 124 mph. It's mighty fast for a 2,580kg SUV.
I decided to go off-route and find Jeremy Clarkson's farm shop after watching every season of Clarkson's Farm. What was meant to be a 21-mile journey turned into a tour around the Cotswolds because of various road closures.
BMW iX
Exceeding 35 miles, I finally reached Clarkson's farm shop. After a quick browse through the aptly-named produce, I headed back to the venue where the efficiency readout showed 3.0mi/kWh on arrival.
BMW claims the xDrive60 will return 426 miles thanks to its gargantuan 109.1kWh (usable) battery. It'll also charge at 11kW AC and DC is up to 195kW, meaning the 10-80% charge takes just 35 minutes for the latter.
BMW has done a fine job at making the iX not only more appealing, but by giving it more power, and range, to boot.
The entry-level Sport gets a Harman Kardon surround system, electrically adjustable front seats, steering wheel heating, all-wheel drive, a heat pump, and DC charging up to 175kW, a decent standard kit list.
If you can, go for the xDrive60. You get more power, tech, charging capability, and range. Oh, and it looks much nicer.
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