BMW iX review – Why buy THIS over a BMW iX3?

In this definitive BMW iX evaluation, we reveal the brutal truth after living with BMW's flagship electrical SUV for 6000 miles! The iX was BMW's first dedicated electric high-end SUV, but with the fantastic brand-new 500-mile BMW iX3 recently taking the What Automobile? Cars and truck of the Year crown, is this ₤ 70k+ heavyweight still relevant?

To find out, we've spent the last couple of months putting the xDrive60 variation through an extensive winter season testing duration. In this review, we explain why the interior is whisper peaceful, evaluate the superb optional air suspension, and reveal why the iX's frustrating real-world efficiency and poor reliability record might put you off.

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We also explore the stunning "Loft" interior, test the 14.9-inch curved infotainment touchscreen, and explain why keeping the physical rotary controller gives the iX a massive usability benefit over the more recent iX3.

We even jump into the back of the iX to evaluate rear passenger area, determine the 500-litre boot against rivals, including the Mercedes EQE SUV and Kia EV9, and take the iX out on the roadway. Lastly, we crunch the numbers from our 6000-mile long-lasting test to provide our last decision on real-world variety, charging speeds, and precisely which trim level makes the most sense

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#BMWiX #ElectricSUV #LongTermReview #bmwix 3.

Video chapters:.
0:00– Introduction: iX vs the new iX3.
0:25– Exterior styling & updates.
0:47– Interior design, curved display screen & iDrive.
3:45– Interior quality, driving position & M Sport Seats.
5:02– Rear space.
5:57– Boot space & functionality.
6:45– Ride convenience, handling & refinement.
8:49– Batteries, variety & performance.
10:27– Why buy this over an IX3?
10:50– Charging times.
11:47– Trim levels & standard devices.
12:10– Security & reliability.
12:59– Last verdict.

Comments

33 responses to “BMW iX review – Why buy THIS over a BMW iX3?”

  1. @MosesLawn Avatar
    @MosesLawn

    I’m going mad, surely – I really like the styling!

    1. @Kelveron Avatar
      @Kelveron

      I have to say, it’s grown on me, especially after the facelift.

    2. @RiseAgainstTheDevilAndGod Avatar
      @RiseAgainstTheDevilAndGod

      Yep, you’re going mad 😂

    3. @phil2927 Avatar
      @phil2927

      You are going mad….Welcome to the club!

    4. @glennchinyangarara Avatar
      @glennchinyangarara

      I said the same about the ix3, people think I was off my rocker when I said it looked better than the GLC electric

    5. @Whislte-pipe Avatar
      @Whislte-pipe

      @glennchinyangararaoh dear oh dear.

  2. @stephenclutton Avatar
    @stephenclutton

    The ix does tempt me but it is just so massive!

    1. @RiseAgainstTheDevilAndGod Avatar
      @RiseAgainstTheDevilAndGod

      And hideous

    2. @DeadlyDizzle-yn1vz Avatar
      @DeadlyDizzle-yn1vz

      I’ve got this model, the xdrive60. It’s honestly not as big as you think it is on the road, especially if you get the rear wheel steering. The main place you notice the size is when you’re in a multi-storey car park then you’ll notice its footprint is bigger than most cars.

  3. @marclee7032 Avatar
    @marclee7032

    I like the way some new/modern car interiors are described as minimalist. My 1st car was a 1.1 poverty spec mk2 Escort, that was minimalist!

    1. @Dixxie59 Avatar
      @Dixxie59

      And a way better car! I had a mk2 Escort 1100 Popular in purple and it was brilliant. Seated 4, did around 40 mpg, weighed less than half the iX. In 1976. That’s progress for you!!

    2. @bukaneja Avatar
      @bukaneja

      So not just in architecture in car design also got the wrong idea of minimalist, complicated electronics and how to use it not minimalist, function no 1 for minimalist, no unneceseary things, entertainment unit, only for entertainment, thats it

    3. @Emaratilfy Avatar
      @Emaratilfy

      People confuse “minimalism” with cost cutting.

  4. @DIVEnSOME Avatar
    @DIVEnSOME

    This is actually a good looking car,,it’s angular,apart from that it’s the most practical car bmw makes ,ix3 will take sales away but it has a unique place in the lineup,i like it especially in M style.

    1. @RiseAgainstTheDevilAndGod Avatar
      @RiseAgainstTheDevilAndGod

      It’s disgusting

  5. @Dixxie59 Avatar
    @Dixxie59

    Huge thanks for calling out the relatively poor efficiency on the car. As consumers we need more of this because it’s important. Clearly legislators think so too because I have sticker on my washing machine that highlights its energy efficiency so maybe we need the same for electric vehicles? I wrote that tongue in cheek but thinking about it.. And how do you charge a 100kwh battery at home overnight? A domestic 7kw charging point would require around 15hours. 15hours with the meter spinning like a top! It makes me shudder. Expect ‘fair usage’ electricity tariffs coming to a street near you very soon.

    1. @PhilipFly11 Avatar
      @PhilipFly11

      Every street has a 3-phase 415 volt supply cable in it.
      Get a 3-phase connection and you can charge at 21 kW which will take 4 hours.
      Most utility suppliers offer an EV tariff with a cost of 6 pence per kWh at night.
      This is because at night time there is a huge surplus of electricity generated.
      Power stations and wind turbines cannot turn off generators at night time just because demand collapses for a few hours.
      An EV tariff linked to wholesale prices, which Octopus offers, can reduce electricity prices to nil during the night.

  6. @andders2477 Avatar
    @andders2477

    I hope they get cheaper in 2. hand when the IX3 really get out. Now then new IX3 40 is close to a used ix 45.

  7. @Bedurr888 Avatar
    @Bedurr888

    Much more comfortable with air suspension added that is the reason as we spend so much more time ina jam

  8. @cabottaxi Avatar
    @cabottaxi

    Why do so many BMWs have a suffix Y as its first registration plate letter ?

    1. @Thegingerwhinger Avatar
      @Thegingerwhinger

      BMW UK’s vehicle distribution centre is in Thorne, South Yorkshire (‘Y’ being the prefix).

  9. @Milen4u Avatar
    @Milen4u

    Find a second hand one if you want it. It’s going to depreciate even more after the iX3 deliveries start coming.

  10. @mikadavies660 Avatar
    @mikadavies660

    Far better to buy a second hand iX…. As prices will tank as it ages and newer 500 mile cars replace it.

  11. @PQV-8898 Avatar
    @PQV-8898

    Exterior styling is hideous, pre or post-facelift. Made no difference.

  12. @scottglick150 Avatar
    @scottglick150

    Awful display screen just glued on with brackets. Looks like a tv screen just tacked on. Lazy (cheap) interior design integration.

  13. @xyredmax Avatar
    @xyredmax

    If you want a used monster truck, then OK, but not for me today

  14. @chargedup8491 Avatar
    @chargedup8491

    Why the continuous comparison to an EV9?

  15. @magnesium_subsoil_94 Avatar
    @magnesium_subsoil_94

    It’s a shame the exterior is so bulbous — of all the awful modern interiors I quite like the interior of the iX

  16. @leored79 Avatar
    @leored79

    Just imagine bmw would kit out the iX with the new gen6 cells / 800v system. Same battery capacity, 20% less weight…

  17. @chriskippax993 Avatar
    @chriskippax993

    BMW design team needs replacing.

  18. @BEVolutionUK Avatar
    @BEVolutionUK

    Confusing comparison to the EV9 all the time. Are they competitors?

  19. @KeithTheFA Avatar
    @KeithTheFA

    I’m not trying to be arsey or anything – this is a genuine question. How did you make the iX3 the “car of the year”? What were the criteria?

  20. @sebbbi2 Avatar
    @sebbbi2

    Likely the last one with legacy tech. People should wait for iX5.

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