
The BMW iX has gotten a facelift and some new improvements over the existing model. In typical BMW LCI fashion, they’ve sculpted the cheekbones and sent the iX to the gym. The new and improved model isn’t a game changer, but it does give us what we always want: more and better.
The iX was first released for model year 2022 and has been their pinnacle of luxury BEV ever since. BMW is leaning hard into the iX and even rebranding the sport utility vehicle (SUV) designation into their own sport activity vehicle (SAV) segment. Less utility. More activity. That’s what BMW is trying to feed us with the iX.
Activities galore too. The iX goes farther with bigger batteries, more efficient, and a bit more power with minor tweaks on the outside over three trim levels. The xDrive45 comes with 60kW/82 hp more for a total of 300 kW/408 hp and a total efficiency of 21.8kWh/100km (62 miles). The xDrive60 bumps up 15kW/21 hp to 400 kW/455 hp with 21.9 kWh/100 km (62 miles). Both cars are a bit quicker too with more power. The xDrive 45 goes 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) one second faster now at 5.1 seconds and the xDrive60 comes in at 4.6 seconds.

The new top-of-the-line M70 xDrive is where the numbers top out. It has 485 kW/659 hp in My Mode Sport and a maximum torque of 1,100 Nm/811 ft-lb when launch control is enabled. This trim can achieve 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in a blistering 3.8 seconds. BMW even tested the “1-foot rollout” method and was able to bring that number down by three more tenths to 3.5 seconds. Top speed is limited at 250 km/h (155 mph).
The iX shines with its new battery technology. BMW has increased the energy content of the high-voltage battery on the xDrive45 by 30 percent to 94.8 kWh. The other two trims come in at 109.1 kWh for the xDrive60 and 108.9 kWh for the M70 xDrive. New inverter technology was used in conjunction with these batteries to achieve higher range results of up to 40 percent. The range-topper for this is the xDrive60 with 563 to 701 kilometers (350 to 435 miles) on a charge.

Charging-wise, the xDrive45 now enables direct current charging with an increased output of 175 kW. The other two are topped out at 195 kW of DC charging. Alternating current charging peaks at 22 kW. The iX can even allow for solar and load-optimized charging as well as cost-optimized charging based on a dynamic electricity tariff (time of use billing etc.) This is a feature I love because using electricity when it is cheap is paramount to keeping costs down. Even the My BMW App can assist with the most efficient route based on departure and arrival times with any pit stops.
This near three-ton SUV (or SAV if you are drinking the BMW Kool-Aid) is aided by some trick suspension with hydraulic rear axle support bearings, weight and friction-optimized wheel bearings, a double-wishbone front suspension, five-link rear, and electric steering with Servotronic function and variable ratio keep to contain the heft and baggage while in the middle of an engaging curve.

The M70 xDrive features adaptive two-axle ride level control with electronic shocks, M specific tuning and anti-roll bars. Red calipers are standard with the sports braking system along with Hill Descent Control and even the ability to turn off the traction control (DSC: Dynamic Stability Control). The M Sport package and Pro or on the M70 xDrive get 21 or 22-inch M light-alloy wheels in four variants. You can also opt for the 23-inch wheels with them getting foam absorbers, along with 22-inch wheels, for improved noise insulation, probably because everything can be heard in a silent EV!

Driving Assistant Plus and Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go function can be used up to 180 km/h on the iX. It has a front collision warning with brake intervention and a parking and reverse assistant with Reversing Assist Camera. Level 2+ functionality is available which can allow hands off steering on divided highways up to 130 km/h (81 mph). You can even control your Parking Assistant Pro via the smartphone app as an option—James Bond would be proud.
Cheers!
M. T. Blake