BMW iX xDrive40 Sport 2022 Review

The 2022 BMW iX arrives in Australia in two twin-motor, all-wheel drive variants, the xDrive40 and XDrive50, with a higher-performance M60 flagship chasing them down in the coming months.

Looks aside, the headline act is what’s underneath the stealth body that sets the iX apart from BMW’s current stable of SUVs.

The combined output for the entry-level xDrive40 tested here is a strong 240kW and 630Nm, with power supplied by a 77kWh lithium-ion battery that enables a driving range of up to 420km (ADR).

The XDrive50 generates an even more impressive 385kW and 765Nm, drawing from a 112kWh battery that allows for a driving range of 620km.

Hitting Australian roads at the same time as the iX3 mid-size SUV (from $114,900) and the i4 medium sedan (from $99,900), BMW’s electrified offering just got a whole lot more interesting.

Charging downtime is a competitive game and both batteries in the iX have excellent rapid-charging capabilities, the xDrive40 at a rate of up to 150kW and the xDrive50 at up to 200kW (where such an outlet is available).

BMW says this means a top-up from 10 to 80 per cent can be achieved in 35 and 31 minutes respectively via DC fast-charge power. Enough time to check your inbox and Instagram and then you’re on your way.

At home, BMW’s 11kW wallbox charger is claimed to take about an hour and a half to charge a depleted battery to 100 per cent, while a standard household socket takes more than eight hours.

The iX comes with five years’ free charging with Chargefox – incentive enough to glide to your nearest charging destination.

Low, medium and high energy recuperation settings adjust the level of charge returned to the battery pack with drive mode selection of basic D and accelerated regeneration in B, with real-time efficiency, driving range and efficient driving tips front and centre via the instrumentation display.

The iX is built on BMW’s aluminium space-frame architecture and a carbon-fibre ‘cage’, improving rigidity and bringing weight reduction benefits. Bonus: the ‘Carbon Cage’ is visible when the doors are open and it looks ultra-cool.

A new take on the polarising kidney grille design incorporates a raft of cameras and sensors as well as a special polyurethane protective layer that reduces minor damage and over time will ‘self-heal’ minor stone chips and the like.

The five-door X5-sized iX takes on a more angular silhouette than the regular wagon, with unique surface creases, flush-fit door handles and frameless windows. It’s strikingly different.

Standard equipment also includes LED headlights, keyless entry and push-button start, heated quilted leather electric-adjust front seats with massage function, four-zone climate control and ambient interior lighting.

The xDrive40 Sport adds a body-coloured front apron, dark headlights, beefier brakes with blue callipers, dark smoked-glass tail-lights and a chrome (or optional Titanium Bronze) kidney grille pattern.

The iX xDrive40 rolls on 21-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 22-inch rims fitted to the Sport variants (as on test). They’re exceptionally good lookers but worth keeping in mind that the Pirelli P Zero (275/40R22 107Y) fitted to our test vehicle will set you back around $520 (fitted) per tyre.

It’s the high price of high-performance rubber.

On that note, undercutting its nearest rivals, the xDrive40 is priced from $135,900 plus on-road costs, the xDrive40 Sport from $141,900 and the xDrive50 Sport $169,900.

There are, of course, option packages – Comfort Package ($3500) brings a heated steering wheel, front seat ventilation and heating to the rear seats, arm rest, centre console as well as interior door panels and other trims.

The Enhancement Package ($9500) adds soft-close doors, panoramic glass roof and BMW Laserlight headlights, while the Indulgence Package ($8500) features an interior camera (for theft and selfie silliness), interior applications Clear & Bold (bling) and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound.

Loose change be gone.

The 2022 BMW iX brings many firsts, including the latest generation of BMW’s operating system – iDrive8 – which promises to titillate technophiles and luddites alike.

The hero is a huge, curved-screen central display – dual screens of 12.3- and 14.9-inch – which occupies the bulk of the minimalist dash in BMW’s pared-back and tech-savvy interior.

BMWs iDrive8 and Connected Drive operating systems bring a raft of clever and intuitive features to your cabin, using touch-screen, rotary dial or voice commands to find your way. The reliance on steering wheel controls has been reduced, forcing the driver to use these methods instead.

Yes, it’s a learned system that takes a little bit of patience, but for the most part you’ll quickly find a way to master it that suits your preferences, and level of dexterity. A week behind the wheel and this driver was in control (which is not always the case).

Standard features include satellite navigation, AM/FM/digital radio, live traffic updates, live news feed and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Onboard the iX it’s a fully-fledged 5G affair, beaming data faster than any driver knew they needed it.

Safety technology is next-generation too, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian monitor (even when turning), lane departure warning and lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, driver fatigue detection, traffic sign recognition, exit warnings for pedestrian and cyclists, remote theft recorder (camera), front and rear sensors with parking assist, and a 360-degree camera with multiple view modes.

In fact, there are five cameras, five radar sensors and an additional 12 ultrasonic sensors at work. And if at a minimum it prevents you busting those 22-inch rims, we approve.

A large head-up display with customisable data keeps your eyes and focus on the road ahead.

Ergonomics inside the cabin are good. The rotary dial and gear shift rocker switch fall nicely into hand and you quickly become familiar with shortcut buttons and the like. Wireless phone charging, cup holders and multiple charge outlets are well placed.

The ‘Sport’ moniker on the 2022 BMW iX xDrive40 Sport tested here adds only the abovementioned kit – not extra performance.

Both 40-spec models draw energy from a high-voltage (330V) 76.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack and use a twin electrically-excited synchronous motor layout that delivers a combined maximum 240kW of power and 630Nm of torque.

As part of this fifth-generation BMW eDrive system, all iX variants use a single-speed fixed-ratio reduction gear that sends power through an intelligent all-wheel drive system to deliver fully variable distribution, ranging from rear bias to complete AWD grip.

The power delivery is electric vehicle thrills at its best, giving a powerful shove back in the seat when you plant your foot. It’s punchy and agile. And for a large and heavy (2365kg) family-lugger, the iX has no business handling with such surefootedness.

There’s a load of power to harness and the iX xDrive40 Sport does it convincingly with suspension set-up comprising double-wishbone on the front and five-link on the rear. It glides, supple and silent.

Overlooking the questionable hexagonal shape of the steering wheel, feel at the tiller is great, offering plenty of feedback and crisp turning.

Again, the iX xDrive40 Sport handles with the poise and a kind of magic hustle that defies its proportions. It’ll do itself proud around the local shopping strip and hold itself equally well on long sweeping bends.

Or at the quarter mile, perhaps? The xDrive40 will move from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.1sec, which is not too shabby at all.

We certainly did not fully exploit its potential – most drivers won’t. It makes me think the incoming iX M60 will be overkill. I predict the M60 will find itself barrelling around a racetrack (airfield) or the like at some point in an attempt to fully prove its worth.

Real-world range suggested the iX xDrive40 Sport was good for 385km at 100 per cent battery charge, accessories like air-conditioning taking their toll throughout the test day.

At 33 per cent battery capacity and showing 130km range on hand, we topped up for 28 minutes at a 50kW public charge station to reach 59 per cent charged, delivering an additional 110km and a potential range of 240km. Energy consumption was 17.55kWh/100km.

To be honest, I’ve been ready for a BMW interior makeover for some time. It’s here, in full force, with the 2022 BMW iX xDrive40 Sport – and I’m thrilled.

First, the absence of a centre transmission tunnel is the tipping point for creating an interior that feels cavernous, and the newly designed front of cabin brings space and air where there was none.

The unobscured footwells and floating arm rest design are a masterstroke in practical use of space and modern ergonomics.

The large slab-shaped, quilted leather seats that at first appear to be devoid of any bolstering or support are incredibly comfortable – like a big leather couture couch. Electric-adjust steering wheel and memory seats ensure your perfect position can be achieved and stored.

The Clear & Bold interior trim application is part of the Enhancement Package on our test vehicle which brings the kind of crystal bling and warm woodgrain that will divide a nation, but I’m completely on board. The rotary dial, gear shift rocker switch and electric seat adjust buttons shine brightly in crystal-look details.

A huge glass sunroof further opens up the cabin and an electro-chromatic function protects occupants from UV rays at the touch of a button. It’s the largest glass roof ever fitted to a BMW, the carbon body giving the extra strength required to do this.

The second row is as plush, comfortable and spacious as the front of the cabin – ample foot- and legroom the standout feature, particularly if you’re loading three second-row passengers on a regular basis.

Two USB-C outlets, four directional air vents, climate control, in-door storage and an arm rest with two cup holders complete the scene.

Three top-tether anchor points and two neatly concealed ISOFIX positions are standard.

An electric tailgate reveals a large boot, although capacity (500-1750 litres) is down on the X5’s (650-1870L). Split-fold seats of 40/20/40 configuration will help accommodate tricky loads, along with a variety of hooks, anchors and straps to secure items.

The lack of a front trunk feels like a wasted opportunity given the proportions at hand. Instead, the bonnet is fixed, with washer fluid replenished via a pop-up port at the front.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive40 Sport is fresh and thoroughly modern with tech capabilities that will outsmart most of us.

The fact that this zero-emissions, family-friendly luxury SUV is dynamically rewarding to drive feels like an unexpected bonus.

The real-world driving range of the iX will easily cater to most driver’s daily commutes, with DC fast-charging enabling rapid replenishment of the battery and quick-stop top-ups easing short-term anxiety.

This routing will become the new normal quicker than we anticipate.

The BMW iX feels like the electric SUV that luxury car buyers have been waiting for. And with more of this to come from BMW, the future looks bright – and increasingly carbon-free.

How much does the BMW iX xDrive40 Sport cost?
Price: $141,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two electrically excited synchronous motors
Output: 240kW/630Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 77kWh lithium-ion
Range: 420km (ADR)
Energy consumption: 22.5kWh/100km (ADR)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)