BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport 2025 Review

Given its entry-level status, the base price of $142,900 for the 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport is intimidating. However, compared to the model it replaces, the xDrive40 Sport, the value is justified considering what’s been added.

It also sits comfortably against its large SUV counterparts, with the Mercedes-Benz EQE350 ($146,700), Audi Q8 e-tron 50 ($140,090) and the Jaguar i-Pace EV400 R-Dynamic SE ($147,475) sharing a similar price bracket.

Ford’s hyper-quick Mustang Mach E GT could be a consideration at $97,990 (all prices are before on-road costs).

The iX xDrive45 M Sport is currently the only LCI variant in the model line-up, with higher grades to come.

BMW’s M Sport package is introduced as standard fitment on the 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport and brings items such as ambient lighting, Live Cockpit Pro with BMW Operating System 8.5, 18-speaker Harman-Kardon audio, massaging and heated front seats, a circular heated steering wheel and a previously optional fixed-glass panoramic sunroof.

Over the model it replaces, the big BMW gains things such as the illuminated Iconic Glow grille and adaptive headlights. BMW points out that the aero-focused 21-inch alloy wheels no longer wear run-flat tyres, hence there’s a puncture repair kit fitted. While there’s no spare wheel, tyre-pressure monitoring is standard.

Our test car isn’t standard and includes premium options like $3000 four-wheel steering, $4000 adaptive air suspension and a $9500 Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround sound system.

Colour choices include six free-of-charge metallics and three BMW individual colours; Storm Bay ($2500), Frozen Deep Grey ($5500) and, upcoming with an undisclosed price, Tanzanite Blue.

The optional Executive Pack adds soft-close doors, polished crystal glass features in the cabin, an interior camera, privacy glass, front-seat ventilation, seat heating four outer rear pews, all-round armrest heating as well as self-warming lower dash, front and rear door panels and upper trim. Very cosy for ‘just’ $6500.

The iX xDrive 45 M Sport comes under BMW’s warranty umbrella, which is five years/unlimited kilometres with three years of complimentary roadside assistance. Servicing costs are usage-dependent and can vary accordingly but are said to average out to approximately $400 per service. For owners wanting surety, BMW offers fixed-cost servicing packages, the basic version set at $3475 for six years/unlimited kilometres.

The 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport’s attention to active and passive safety is extensive.

It includes high and low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in forward and reverse (low speed only), pedestrian and cyclist avoidance, lane-tracing, adaptive cruise control, active LED headlights with active shadowing, blind-spot monitoring with active assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, head-up display, post-collision braking, driver-fatigue monitoring, road sign detection, 360-degree camera and automated parking.

The iX’s body structure comprises an aluminium spaceframe with a carbon-fibre reinforced polymer cage for the passenger compartment, elements of which can be seen in the door openings.

There are six-airbags, ISOFIX points and top-tether anchorages. And while the iX is yet to be assessed for an ANCAP star rating, the pre-updated version scored a full five-stars. 

With the company’s push towards leading tech features, it’s no surprise that the 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport is loaded with screens, largely replacing all the physical controls we’re used to.

Ahead of the driver is a super-wide curved screen, which includes a 14.9-inch infotainment touch-screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

There’s inbuilt sat-nav for those not wanting to use wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there’s also video streaming and in-car gaming to pass the time while it charges. With 5G capability helping optimise connectivity, there’s access to remote services such as real-time traffic information, infotainment and navigation assistance.

Other features include wireless phone charging, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth, voice activation and various USB-C ports.

The twin-motor 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport dishes out extra power than the outgoing xDrive40 Sport, which naturally results in more performance.

Its 5.1-second zero to 100km/h acceleration is not Tesla Ludicrous-mode fast, but it’s enough to get the head spinning (and there’s more of that to come as the updated iX model range rolls out).

Power has been increased by 60kW and 30Nm to bring total outputs of 300kW and 700Nm, while drivetrain energy conversion is made more efficient through temperature-resistant silicon carbide semiconductors. New cell technology ups the high voltage battery’s energy content by around 30 per cent, to 94.86kWh.

Charging is more efficient too, with an increased DC charging rate (175kW, up from 150kW) and optimised pre-conditioning of the battery via the air-conditioning’s heat pump system. The maximum AC charging rate tops out at 22kW.

The 2025 BMW iX xDiver45 M Sport’s range is 602km (WLTP) and signifies a big improvement over the previous xDrive40’s 425km.

Typically, the real-world energy consumption isn’t as impressive, especially in constant-speed freeway running. Our test car indicated things would start becoming anxious from about 450km onwards.

BMW claims the iX’s MAX RANGE function can be used to partly alleviate concerns by adding as much as 25 per cent to the kilometre capabilities.

Whatever the virile twin-motor drivetrain can unleash, the 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport’s chassis is up for it.

The grip provided by the lightweight 21-inch aero wheels and symmetrical 255/50 tyres is tenacious. It corners flat and steady, with plenty of help from the twin-motor AWD and the solidly weighted, quick steering. It goes from lock to lock in 2.7 turns for a broad-ish 12.8-meter turning circle.

The ride quality, apart from occasional tightness in the damping of the double-wishbone front, five-link rear suspension, is absorbent, no doubt helped by the iX’s long three-metre wheelbase. And it’s quietly comfortable too, with very little road, tyre or wind noise.

There’s plenty of cossetting from the deeply supportive, natural-leather seats, too, which bring heating and massaging functions for both the driver and front passenger.

Underlying this, the twin-motor driveline, with the help of German composer Hans Zimmer, contrives to sound very much like the string section of a philharmonic orchestra tuning up.

The main shortcoming, compared to a regular large SUV, is that, in the unlikely event of the iX xDrive45 encountering a rutted and rocky off-road track, the 180mm ground clearance would prove an undoubted handicap (the BMW X5 for example provides a more useful 214mm).

The iX xDrive45 M Sport weighs 2450kg and has a braked towing capacity of up to 2500kg.

Hunkered-down, slightly narrower and longer than the strong-selling X5, the 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport doesn’t have quite the presence, or the elevated hipline expected of a large-class SUV. Its proportions and overall style are clean, generally conservative and tend to make it look smaller than it actually is.  

It does well for cabin space, with sumptuous furnishings, flat floors and good vision from the driver’s seat. There’s plenty of shoulder, head and legroom, too, particularly in the back seat.

The provisions for carrying luggage, starting with the 500-litre boot that expands to a maximum of 1750 litres with the rear seats folded, are generally comparable with the bulk of its EV peers.

The auto climate control is great on frosty mornings, but the push-button inner door releases are a little awkward and not very ergonomic.

The iX has so far made a minimal impression on overall BMW sales since it went on sale locally in 2022, plateauing-out this year and currently selling at a similar rate to the BMW i5 EV sedan/wagon. Among $80,000-plus electrified SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz EQE currently outsells the BMW iX Down Under by a ratio of around two vehicles to one.

That’s hopefully no reflection on the 2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport’s customer appeal.

In this form, what BMW would describe as an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), the iX is impressive. Its performance, range, comfort and packaging bring no criticism, and the on-road dynamics are appropriately BMW sharp. The pricing is thoroughly competitive among its premium EV SUV peers, too.

2025 BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport at a glance:
Price: $142,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two electromagnetic motors
Output: 300kW/700Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 94.8kW/h lithium-ion
Range: 602km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 21.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested.

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