Since its release in 2022, the BMW iX has continued to optimize new-gen technology and engineering behind their NEVs. With each and every update, this larger-than-life beauty hasn’t left anything out when it comes to enhancing the classic BMW experience.

The almighty electric SUV: BMW iX

Silent by nature, yet powerful and futuristic, the BMW iX leaves nothing short to the imagination with its bold look and comfortable drive. It’s the perfect representation of BMW’s commitment to electric mobility, combining innovative technology, luxury, and sustainability in a high-performance SUV package.

The Exterior

The badge upfront is more than just aesthetic; this is where you’ll top up the washer fluid with ease. And if that doesn’t catch your attention, the most recognizable feature would be the iconic kidney grille. Behind the iX grille and the paintwork is a polyurethane-coated, self-healing sensor designed to repair itself from minor oopsies. BMW calls it their “shy tech.” In other words, some features would go unnoticed until the owner needs to use them.

Whether you’ve got your hands full or want to feel like a superstar, one feature that stands out for prime functionality and aesthetics are the iX’s doors. BMW has gone completely frameless and electric with this NEV, an elegant and sophisticated take on the model’s prowess.

And if you’re in the mood for an adventure, look to the boot for a good time. Inside the boot, you’ll find that the iX comes with a standard fitment tow bar, which you’d normally have to pay a little extra for, like the BMW X5.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts too.

When it comes to noise, the cabin is completely insulated. The sound you’d normally hear from combustion vehicles is nowhere to be found with the iX; it’s just you and the open road.

With every start, the user profile will connect to the vehicle. From seating position to steering, it personalizes the driver’s experience. The 75 cm curved touchscreen offers a useful interface with all the bells and whistles you’ll need to stay in touch with the actual drive. This includes the BMW Personal Assistant, your battery charge, navigation, speedometer, your vehicle, and a whole lot more. The panorama view from the reverse assist camera, along with a reversing assistant and a park assist comes standard, which is not always the case with most vehicles.

You’ll see that the seats come in leather, and not just any leather, but vegan leather (an environmental and anti-animal cruelty approach to the production process). Comfort and luxury are completely maximized, no matter the material.

This is then accompanied by two USB-C ports in the front cockpit as well as two USB-C ports on the back of the front seats. The perfect situation for long trips with kids who have a hankering for digital entertainment and yearn for optimum comfort.

Fun fact: In the way of BMW’s commitment to sustainability, 20% of the interior is made of recycled plastic.

How does it drive?

A 630 km range is the max you can get out of it, although this is not taking real-world driving into account. You could maybe get away with 500 km on a full charge if you’re well-behaved with the accelerator and brakes. How BMW was able to stay efficient with their range figures is because of its battery size. In this case, your battery size could be 111 kilowatts, but you’d only be able to use 105 kilowatt-hours as battery capacity and longevity depend on usage.

When it comes to the everyday commute, the iX sits well with comfort and quality, thanks to its air suspension. To add to that comfort is the lack of vibration or noise from the drivetrain, as previously mentioned.

It’s also easy to enjoy BMW’s all-wheel-drive system in the first fully electric BMW. The iX not only offers agile and comfortable handling but is enhanced by exceptional body strength, balanced weight distribution, and a low centre of gravity.

Performance:

iX40: 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds

iX50: 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds

Power, top speed, and charge

iX40: 240 kW/ 200 km/h max

iX50: 385 kW/ 200 km/h max

The lithium-ion high-voltage battery can recharge up to 120 km in just 10 minutes.

Overview

The future of electric vehicles is here, and it’s safe to say that BMW has made it incredibly competitive. The BMW iX has redefined ‘comfort behind the wheel’ in the electric vehicle segment.

And although this EV is designed to turn heads once it’s out on the road, it’s certainly does a double take on the wallet. Retailing from R 1,735,000.00