2023 BMW iX

BMW iX Review

BMW Malaysia was pretty early to introduce both the iX3 and more premium iX electric vehicles to the market in late 2021. They came at a time when the proposed 'tax-free' prices for EVs were not quite in full effect. The car's price remained in limbo for a while, with everyone confident it would drop but not knowing exactly when or by how much. 

In April 2022-2023, BMW Malaysia announced that the iX would have a starting price tag of RM352,396, giving buyers of Munich's most advanced zero-emissions machine a big smile as it has dropped RM27k in price.

The BMW iX was first introduced to the world back in November 2020. It is based on BMW's 2018 Vision iNext Concept car, which promised to bring forth an all-electric SUV with semi-autonomous capabilities. The flagship model of the BMW i range rides on BMW's CLAR Platform which features the company's 5th-Generation BMW eDrive technology.

The fully electric BMW SUV is about the size of an X5, and its passenger and cargo space is similar to BMW's stalwart ICE (internal combustion engine) SUV. The iX's interior design is both modern and simple, with a host of high-tech hardware, including a sizeable curved touchscreen instrument panel and a hexagonal-shaped steering wheel.

BMW iX xDrive40 and xDrive40 Sport Specifications

The BMW iX xDrive40 is available in two versions, namely the xDrive40 and xDrive40 Sport.

Powering both the iXs are two electric synchronous motors – one on each axle, with an integrated drive unit consisting of an electric motor, power electronics, charging technology and high-voltage battery - delivering a total of 326hp and 630Nm. The iX is claimed to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 200km/h.

Standard equipment includes LED headlamps with high-beam assistant, Comfort Access and black high gloss window cavity covers. It also comes with the following driver assistance:

-Driving Assistant

-Active Guard

-Active Protection

-Parking Assistant including Active Park Distance Control and Reversing Assist Camera

xDrive40 Sport adds 22-inch BiColor wheels, Sport brakes with brake callipers in blue, BMW Laserlight system, a panoramic roof, 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and the following active safety systems:

-Parking Assistant Plus with Reversing Assist, Active Park

-Distance Control (PDC) and Surround View Camera

-Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant

-Speed Limit Assist and Evasion Assistant

-Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

Both the iXs come with a 76.6 kWh (gross capacity) lithium-ion battery, which gives the EV a driving range of up to 425km (WLTP) on a single charge. Speaking of charging – the iX is optimised for High-Power DC Charging (HPC) of 150kW, which can get the SUV from a 10-80% state of charge in about 31 minutes. AC charging of up to 11kW can get the car fully charged in seven hours and 15 minutes, but only with a charger that can churn out the 11kW maximum power.

Exterior of the BMW iX

The BMW iX is shaped with minimal but characteristic lines and proportions. Crucial styling highlights of the iX include the slimmest headlamps ever built by BMW, and the latest-generation, upright double kidney grille. 

In xDrive40 form, the iX is supplied with 21-inch BiColor wheels. The overall roofline is sleeker than a BMW X3, however, the length and width of the iX are similar to a BMW X5.

The iX can be had in five different colours, including:

-Alpine White Solid

-Black Sapphire

-Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect

-Phytonic Blue

-Blue Ridge Mountain

Interior of the BMW iX

On the inside, the iX features BMW's Live Cockpit Professional system with a curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 14.9-inch display that stretches from the driver's cluster all the way to the centre, to make space for a central screen, forming the main focal point of the interior. 

This massive unbroken layout lends a sense of fluidity and cohesion to the cabin. In addition, the floating setup standing off from the dashboard aims to keep things simplistic while improving the feeling of the interior space.

Another crucial highlight of the interior is the use of real wood on the centre console and a transparent "faceted" glass control knob (only supplied with the Sport package) for the car's infotainment system.

BMW iX Safety Features

In terms of safety, the iX xDrive40 is supplied as standard with 6-airbags and an array of passive safety systems that include: 

-Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

-Cornering Brake Control (CBC)

-Automatic Stability Control (ASC)

-Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

-Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) and Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist.

The iXDrive40 Sport adds on:

-Parking Assistant Plus with Reversing Assist, Active Park

-Distance Control (PDC) and Surround View Camera

-Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant

-Speed Limit Assist and Evasion Assistant

-Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

2023 BMW iX Pros and Cons

The aforementioned iX xDrive40 can also be purchased with an 'Extended Warranty & Service Package' which, when bundled in, increases the price to RM370,766 and bumps manufacturer coverage to 5 years. 

This is definitely the way to go since the standard 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty does seem pretty slim. 

The base prices of the iX xDrive40 and Sport do not include charging auxiliaries, for that, you will have to opt for the Power Package, which refers to the addition of a BMW i Wallbox and BMW i Public Charging Cable.

Regardless, all variants have a separate 8-year, 160,000km warranty for the battery.

Being a BMW, one might anticipate that the EV might have some sporty feel to it, but all reviews point to the direction that the iX is more of a long distance cruiser rather than an exhilarating machine. Reviewers also commented that the electric steering lacks feel, which doesn't give you a good idea of what is going on at the front end.

2023 BMW iX Price in Malaysia

BMW iX xDrive40 - RM419,630

BMW iX xDrive40 with Power Package - RM424,230

BMW iX xDrive40 Sport - RM472,630

BMW iX xDrive40 Sport with Power Package - RM477,230

2023 BMW iX Key Features

According to BMW, the iX is their most sustainable vehicle ever. The body's panel, doors and tailgate are made from up to 30% recycled materials, and overall, there's about 60kg of recycled plastic used in the SUV. 

When you couple this with its electric motors, which apparently do not use any rare-earth materials at all, one can feel good and responsible when buying the vehicle. Even BMW's part suppliers for the iX were told to make the parts through the lease amount of carbon footprint process.

Reviewers have said BMW's claim of 425km range is also true in the real world if used appropriately. While the interior is eye-catching the exterior might take some time to get used to, but once you drive it, apparently, it's so good that you wouldn't even care what it looks like.