Used 2022 BMW iX

The all-new 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 is an all-electric luxury midsize SUV/crossover. BMW says the range is approximately 300 miles. Recharging can be done relatively quickly, and the drivetrain develops a substantial 516 horsepower.

The company is also working to keep all stages of the new iX xDrive50’s life — from the sourcing of raw materials to the hydroelectric power used at the Dingolfing plant in Germany — as earth-friendly as possible, while also maintaining a low carbon footprint and even respecting human rights.

BMW has initiated studies into improving living and working conditions for miners of rare-earth materials, along with sustainable lithium extraction in Latin America. Also, BMW tells us that none of the cobalt needed for the iX battery comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the lithium is sourced responsibly from Australia.

Indeed, for well-off drivers with social consciences and a desire to create a decent future for our children, the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 — which uses recycled aluminum in its body and recycled polyester in its interior — certainly looks like an enlightened choice.

KBB’s Andy Bornhop drove a 2022 iX xDrive50 in Germany. Reports Andy:

With its 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of instantaneous torque, I expected the new BMW iX to be quick. It is. It’s quiet, too. But in Sport mode, an audio track composed by Hans Zimmer is piped into the interior, rising in volume with vehicle speed.

While the synthesized aircraft-inspired sounds add a definite sporty sensation, I preferred leaving the iX in its Efficient setting, a quiet mode that’s still plenty quick and responsive enough for enjoyable everyday driving.

BMW says the new iX xDrive50 will hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and then reach an electronically limited top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). I did that on the German autobahn, the iX hitting a soft speed limiter at an indicated 202 km/h. Stability at that speed is excellent, aided by the iX’s low center of gravity and a new type of shock absorber with variable damping. A welcome lack of wind noise may be attributable to this BMW’s slippery body, which has a super-low drag coefficient of only 0.25.

The BMW iX xDrive50 has an EPA range of 324 miles. The overall driving experience is highlighted by the immediate power and torque of the front and rear electric motors, which are made by BMW and use no rare-earth magnets. This electric BMW SUV goes up hills like they aren’t even there, and the front motor is often switched off for efficiency, which is something that occurs unbeknownst to the driver.

With the bulk of its weight represented by the approximately 1,100-pound lithium-ion battery mounted safely in the floor of its dedicated EV chassis, the new BMW iX also has a low center of gravity, helping this electric SUV negotiate curvy mountain roads with remarkably good composure, even though its suspension emphasizes ride comfort.

In the Efficient and Sport driving modes, the iX’s brake pedal has an acceptable but not great feel. It’s a bit grabby on initial application, but thereafter it’s a deft blend of battery regeneration and traditional friction braking. In B mode, which maximizes regen and allows one-pedal driving, the iX comes to a stop whenever the driver’s foot is removed from the accelerator pedal.

The brake lights do illuminate when the driver lifts off the accelerator in this mode. But if you need to use the brake pedal while driving in B mode (an entertaining exercise that gets smoother with experience), be careful, because the stopping force hits abruptly.

The 2022 BMW iX responds well to its accelerator pedal, although it sometimes feels like you’re getting a bit more acceleration than you may have originally desired. We wish BMW engineers would make the power come on a bit more gently in Efficient mode while making Sport a bit less of an on/off switch. It’s early in the iX’s life, so a bit of fine-tuning may still be in the works. It’s possible that something that could be adjusted by BMW via an over-the-air (OTA) software update.

Inside BMW’s new electric SUV, the view out is good and a wealth of information is displayed with clarity on the large curved screen on the dash. BMW has gone to great lengths to reduce the number of switches and controls inside the iX, whose dash looks almost bare as a result. To help with this, BMW has integrated Apple CarPlay more deeply than ever, now displaying info from an iPhone on the center screen and digital instrument cluster, plus the head-up display.

BMW’s multifunction iDrive controller, now in its eighth generation, also continues to get better. However, in certain light conditions, it can be tough to read the words printed on the wood veneer surrounding the iX’s rotary controller. If you don’t want to mess with the controller while driving, BMW has significantly improved its “Hey, BMW” spoken vehicle interface to accomplish more tasks using natural language voice commands.

The new BMW iX is a genuine 5-seater that’s roomy front and rear. Legroom and headroom abound, even with the standard electro-chromatic panoramic glass roof. There’s no center hump dividing the rear floorboard, and a handy roller knob on the center console makes it easy to adjust audio volume. There are two USB-C ports in front and two on the back of each front seat, plus a control panel for the rear air conditioning on the back of the center console.

The iX’s interior door panels, made with recycled materials, feel a bit thick. Also, the side windows go up and down quite slowly, and we’re not sure if the push-button solenoid-released doors represent an improvement over a traditional mechanical release. They do, however, give the interior a high-tech ambiance.

The most noticeable feature is the steering wheel, which isn’t round. It’s hexagonal, with smoothed-off corners. A new trend or a fleeting fad? We’ll have to wait and see. BMW says it provides a better view of the curved driver information screen.

The second most eye-catching thing may well be the 14.9-inch curved infotainment touchscreen, which is kind of Tesla-sized. And it’s merely part of a bigger unit that also incorporates a 12.3-inch driver information display and glare-resistant glass.

It might sound less than enthralling that the cabin uses many recyclable materials. Such as carpeting made from recycled nylon waste including old fishing nets. BMW says this emits 80% less carbon dioxide than producing petroleum-based nylon in a conventional way. But it all looks and feels suitably premium.

An overhead interior camera allows pictures to be taken by voice command or gesture control. You can even shoot selfies. And images can be sent from this camera to the user’s smartphone. For example, a driver might want to check if something was left in the car.

The new iX is a 5-seater. Rear legroom is excellent. Cargo space is similar to that of the X5, which is approximately 34 cubic feet expanding to 72 cubic feet.

About the same length and width as the BMW X5 midsize crossover, but a couple of inches lower, the 2022 iX xDrive50 certainly looks striking. Maybe not always for the right reasons. Whether seen as a beauty or a beast, though, it sure won’t be confused for an X5.

These are the thinnest LED headlights BMW has ever used, as well as the thinnest LED taillights. If the tall double-kidney grille gets scratched, it fixes itself with a unique self-healing finish. And since electric vehicles don’t need grilles, this feature now becomes a panel for things like cameras, radar, and other sensors.

The doors have flush-fitting handles and frameless windows — this latter feature is more often found in coupes. And the rearview camera is hidden in the black surround of the tailgate’s BMW badge.

BMW says the drag coefficient of the new iX is 0.25. That’s good, especially for an SUV/crossover. It’s helped by active flaps in the grille, flush door handles, and aerodynamically tuned alloy wheels. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic is used in various parts of the body’s construction, as well as an aluminum spaceframe. The battery is located under the floor in an aluminum housing that’s part of the body’s structure.

Intriguingly, the hood of the new iX isn’t designed to be opened by the customer, because the electric powertrain essentially doesn’t need to be serviced. To add windshield washer fluid, just pop open the BMW badge on the hood and refill the reservoir.

SUSTAINABILITY
BMW is making serious eco-friendly efforts in the production of the new iX. Hydroelectric power is used at the plant in Dingolfing, Germany, and the recycled aluminum used for the body is made with solar power. What’s more, BMW responsibly sources cobalt and lithium for the battery, while using other recycled materials for the cabin.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
BMW’s iDrive has evolved into a user-friendly and effective infotainment setup. With the new iX comes the latest iteration: iDrive 8. It brings separate user profiles that include driving mode preferences, advanced voice recognition, a 14.9-inch curved touchscreen, over-the-air updates, and several other improvements. It also makes navigation, parking, and charging easier.

All-wheel drive is standard, along with 20-inch alloy wheels, simulated-leather upholstery, heated 16-way power-adjustable front seats, LED cabin lighting, quad-zone automatic climate control, 40/20/40 split/folding back seats, and the largest panoramic roof BMW has ever made, which uses electro-chromatic glass that can let in light or block it.

The big dual-screen infotainment setup is also included, as well as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two USB-C ports in the center console, two more USB-C ports in the front headrests for rear passengers, and an 18-speaker/655-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

Safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection, cross-traffic alert/intersection assistance, evasive steering assistance, blind-spot monitoring, safe-exit warning, lane-departure warning, rear-collision warning, front/rear parking sensors, Parking Assistant for parallel and perpendicular spaces, and the Back-Up Assistant (automated reversing that retraces the car’s last forward-heading 50 yards).

A new generation of BMW’s Laserlight technology for the headlights is available. Alloy wheel sizes go up to 22 inches.

The optional real leather upholstery ($2,450) has been through a tanning process that uses olive leaves (harvested sustainably, of course). There’s also a fabric alternative called Loft. Other extras include massaging front seats, wireless device charging, heated rear seats (plus other heated surfaces like the door panels, center armrest, and steering wheel), remote start, and a head-up display.

Audiophiles may choose a $2,500 Bowers & Wilkins 30-speaker/1,615-watt surround-sound system, with some speakers built into the headrests and others under the seats.

A Driving Assistant Professional package ($1,900, including adaptive cruise control with stop/go and lane-keeping assistance) will be available, and you can even order blue seatbelts for $300.

Moreover, there’s a $2,300 Convenience Package that includes a 360-degree camera, parking program, head-up display (HUD), and synthesized powertrain sounds from Hans Zimmer.

The 2022 BMW iX is also available with a $1,600 Dynamic Handling Package that includes an air suspension and Integral Active Steering. This is BMW’s term for rear-wheel steering, which helps to make the iX far more maneuverable than other vehicles of its size. The rear wheels can be turned in the same or opposite direction as the fronts. This all happens automatically.

The xDrive part of the name signifies that the new iX electric SUV comes with all-wheel drive as standard. This is achieved by deploying an electric motor for each axle.

However, they aren’t the usual motors we’ve seen in other EVs that use fixed permanent magnets. Developed in-house by BMW, these are known as current-excited synchronous motors. No permanent magnets mean no rare-earth elements are required. It’s another way in which the company is aiming for sustainability.

The motors are energized by a floor-mounted, liquid-cooled, 106 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery using lithium-ion/nickel-cobalt-manganese technology (with less than 10% cobalt). At a fast-charging station, it can be replenished from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes. In 10 minutes, it can take on enough juice to cover 90 miles starting from the same 10% state. Charging at home from absolutely empty to completely will take about 11 hours.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 at 86 MPGe city/87 MPG highway. This model has 20-inch wheels and a max range of 324 miles.

With 21-inch wheels, the xDrive 50 is rated at 82 MPGe city/84 MPGe highway, and it has a max range of 305 miles.

With 22-inch wheels, the iX xDrive50 is rated at 86 MPGe city/85 MPGe highway, and the max range is listed as 315 miles. Note: The 22-inch wheels have a special design that reduces wind resistance, thereby explaining this model’s better EPA numbers.

An M60 variant of the iX with 610 horsepower is expected to arrive in June as a 2023 model.

Two current-excited synchronous motors
523 horsepower total output
564 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 86 MPGe/87 MPGe (w/20-inch wheels), 82 MPGe/84 MPGe (w/21-inch wheels), 86 MPGe/85 MPGe (w/22-inch wheels)
EPA range: 324 miles (w/20-inch wheels), 305 miles (w/21-inch wheels), 315 miles (w/22-inch wheels)