BMW iX xDrive50 Review: Is it a Proper Driver’s Car?

When the BMW iX electric SUV was first brought to Indian shores in 2021, it was unlike any other BMW. It looked bulbous, had a minimalistic and eco-friendly interior and most importantly, lacked the roar of a combustion engine. While it was a good vehicle to drive, it was not exactly what fans of the Bavarian brand have come to expect. But that was the xDrive40 model of the iX. Fast forward to the year 2024 and BMW has decided to let the higher xDrive50 model lose on the Indian streets. With its twin motors, higher output and bigger tyres, does the iX become a proper driver’s car, much like many other Bimmers?

BMW iX xDrive50: Performance

The very first thing you should know about the xDrive50 is that it has two motors - one on the front axle and one on the rear. Together, these motors generate 516bhp of peak power and 765Nm of peak torque. For reference, that is 194bhp and 135Nm more than the model which has already been on sale for a while. The top speed is still limited to 200kmph but the acceleration time has gone down. The iX can lunge to 100km/h from a standstill in a claimed time of 4.6 seconds. This SUV can easily leave a lot of fast vehicles in the dust, even as you are reaching triple-digit figures on the instrument cluster.

Another thing that makes driving the upgraded BMW iX fun is the knowledge that there is enough torque to let the tail slide even with the traction control switched on. You can light up the rear with a healthy dab of the right pedal and then hear the tyres squeal in joy. The quirky hexagonal steering wheel is precise enough to let you correct your course.

BMW iX xDrive50: Battery & Charging

BMW has also equipped the higher variant of the iX with a larger battery pack - 105.3kWh to be precise. The claimed range figure sits at 635km per charge (WLTP) but we did not have time to do a proper range test. Driving the iX was so fun that I was not exactly driving with range in mind. Despite this, I never felt a hint of range anxiety. The iX support 195kW DC fast charging which does 10-80% in 35 minutes, as per company claims. The more sensible 11kW charger takes 11 hours to completely charge the vehicle while the 22kW option almost halves the time. I feel that once you do charge the iX completely and are not driving like a maniac all the time (which is very hard to do), you can easily go for 3-4 days without having to charge the vehicle.

BMW iX xDrive: Handling & Ride Quality

All the power and torque in the world is useless if you cannot deploy it properly. I have driven a few EVs that produce more torque than they can usefully handle and the iX is definitely not one of those. With the higher variant, you get wider 275/40, 22-inch tyres all around that grip the road well. Combine this with the upgraded air suspension and already competent chassis and you have an SUV that manages to confidently stick to the ground even when subjected to high G-forces. Even while braking hard, the SUV does not swerve out of shape. The suspension also delivers a great morning ride experience.

The air suspension also comes in handy when you switch to the Sport mode. It enables the SUV to squat by 10mm, increasing its aerodynamic efficiency. Conversely, when tackling tough terrain, the suspension can be raised by 20mm. Thankfully, the ground clearance of the iX, even in the standard setting, is 203mm which is more than enough for most obstacles on city roads. I was also pleasantly surprised by the ride quality offered by the iX. It glides over bad roads like a proper luxury SUV. So, you do not have to compromise on comfort - as is the case with a lot of vehicles.

BMW iX xDrive50: Exterior

The exterior design of the iX xDrive50 remains similar to that of the lower variant. You can differentiate between the two by spotting the badge at the rear or the bigger tyres on the sides.

The clean surfaces of the iX and the lack of sharp lines are not to my liking. While not ugly by any means, they are not as interesting as the other BMWs. If you did not like how the iX looked when it was launched back in 2021, this new variant is not going to change your mind in 2024.

BMW iX xDrive50: Interior

The interior of the iX xDrive50 is pretty similar to the lower variant in terms of space and functionality. Being an EV, there is no transmission tunnel and there is additional empty space where one would expect a central floor console in a traditional car. The seats are very comfortable and have a massage function as well. I also really like the look of the clear crystal buttons and rotary dial spread across the cabin. 

 My biggest issue with the cabin is the lack of controls. While it looks aesthetically pleasing and neat, accessing most features will most likely mean that you have to come to a halt because most of them are buried within the touchscreen display. I did really like how large and clear the head-up display (HUD) was. It fits with the overall size of the SUV and is perhaps one of the best in the business. Once again, much like the exterior, if you did not like the interior of the base variant, your opinions are likely to not change after seeing the xDrive 50. However, it is still a spacious and premium cabin to be in.

BMW iX xDrive50: Verdict

With the iX xDrive50, BMW has yet again proven why they are synonymous with performance luxury vehicles. Despite being a hulking great mammoth with a massive (and heavy) battery pack, the iX drives with precision. There is no lack of torque to keep you giggling like a child and the range is adequate for longer trips too. What it lacks are the flaws that are inherent to the iX itself, including a rather mundane design and a featureless cabin. Spending the extra money for the xDrive50 over the 40 might not be for everyone, but if your sole goal is driving pleasure then you won’t regret the bigger figure on the cheque.