2022 BMW iX xDrive 40 Sport Review – Best Electric SUV?

2022 BMW iX xDrive 40 Sport Review – Look Past the Exterior

The iX range is BMW’s brave foray into the wonderful world big, bold world of buxom SUVs powered by wisps of air, and rays from a burning ball in the sky.

But I’ve gotten ahead of myself.

Before you read on, you must wonder why this ramble barely resembles a review, and that is because the iX 40 barely resembles a car, or an SUV. In fact, it is a silent, high-speed, luxury lounge, just as the designers intended. Therefore, it deserves not mere words, but rather something that leaves you filled with the Zen-like emotion that comes from meeting your soul mate.

While iX 40 might be the suite room on the ground floor, iX 40 Sport is on the first floor. As you ascend to the 2^nd floor, you enter the luxury of the iX 50, and as the doors glide open as you reach the penthouse, you arrive at the portals of the magnificent M60.

We’re in the Sport model.

This Week Review: 2022 BMW iX xDrive 40 Sport Review – Best Electric SUV?

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ABOVE: 2022 BMW iX xDrive Range

The Looks:

For many moons, BMW designers have been producing moody, aggressive conveyances. They look ready to rumble, even in the most diminutive form. But, they lacked the X-Factor, that certain indefinable something that comes not just from brute force.

iX xDrive 40 isn’t sexy as such, instead, it is boxy and butch, with lighting arrays that are mere slits of brilliance cast into a vast slab of a beast.

The front laser lights perform their alchemy after dark. As the sun slips into its velvety black cloak, iX calls forth the science that defies logic. It bends and forms light, commanded by hidden forces, to bathe those in front in the very gentlest of moonlight, while blazing a trail around them with the force of an exploding galaxy. It leaves one aghast.

So why did the inventive talent at large then ruin it all, imitating a petrol engined carriage by gluing an imitation Grille to iX’s monumental face? Sure, it can repair itself, by just, why?

Let’s move on. Monumental 22” alloys match the titanic exterior. Slits in the massive doors carry the means of entry, but has locks that are rarely needed. The system is awakened by the mere presence of its owner. Sliding a hand into the door’s inner surface allows fingers to pull gently, using the bodywork itself as a handle.

On the subject of bodywork, the form itself is smoke and mirrors, by last century’s standards. The space frame is fashioned from aluminium, with modern marvels like carbon fibre reinforced plastic forming much of what looks like garden variety steel.

The rump looks awkward and angry in equal measure, but as the massive hatch swings skyward, it takes the lights with it. A second set of lights is hidden within, as required by good taste, and the law.

Inside:

The cabin is simple, restrained, and utterly gorgeous. Plakky knobs have been replaced by magnificent crystal masterpieces. The centre console is an alter to all that is elegant and tasteful. The elegant crystals are set against the natural beauty of timber. The timber, if touched gently, summons functions, and if that’s not enough, the CinemaScope screen that floats above the dash has a 14.8” section that operates like a giant iPhone.

The screen curves along into the view of the driver to display the data usually reserved for analogue dials. Finally, another huge display is beamed onto the windscreen making it looks as it hovers above the end of the bonnet.

Normally, the innovation stops at the dizzying array of modern marvels concealed beneath the veneer of luxury, but no, iX takes it further.

The seats are be-leathered things of beauty. They’re made to look and feel like proper lounge chairs in a posh hotel. The sound system, possibly the best auto sound we’ve encountered, can only be described as sublime. It is only ruined by the sketchy connection of the dodgy wireless car play. It requires WiFi that, on our test, was easily distracted by errant interference. Despite that, even at high speed, every note, high or low, was crystal clear. Bass was often felt more than heard. The experience was magnificent.

The cabin ambience is aided by a lack of hard surfaces. Softness creates an atmosphere to enhance your quiet contemplation. Gentle lines guide the eye to gorgeous controls begging to be touched. Controls are where you can operate them without the need to strain your reach. As BMW intended, you don’t control the iX 40, you interact with it, and it interacts with you. iDrive 8 has displays “emotion” in the form of swirling bubbles. If the passenger commands a function, the swirling bubbles appear on the centre screen The driver commands swirl about on the windscreen. It feels magical, yet it all serves a purpose.

As tempting as it is to caress the gorgeous crystal dials, or to start stabbing at buttons like a demented woodpecker, voice control is worth getting to know. “Hey BMW” can change the temperature or speed, and it can make the glass roof clear or opaque.

The vast space is made to feel bigger by a completely flat floor, yet always feels welcoming and cosy, and very quiet.

The Drive:

The doors unlock as you approach, and by the time you slide behind the wheel, the climate and audio have primed themselves to provide your personal taste. Starting the iX brings the displays to life, and a gentle pull on the discrete gear crystal puts iX into drive. Another pull activates one-pedal driving, something that takes a while to master.

The range is 420km, but the 77Kwh battery is drained at between 21 and 22Kwh/100k according to our tests. Public charging is free for 3 years with Chargefox.

BMW says the handling is sporty, but that is a bit of a reach. At nearly 2 and a half tonnes, iX 40 is a hefty lassie. Despite her portly proportions, she still manages to get to 100 in 6.1 seconds.

Around town, you barely touch the break, and parking can be done just by pressing PARK when asked. There is a reverse assist too. Press that button and iX 40 will exactly retrace the path, reversing and steering so that if you got in, you can certainly reverse out the same way.

At speed, the system will do as much or as little as you wish. Although you can’t yet take your hands off the hexagonal steering wheel, it is as near to autonomous as is currently allowed. iX 40 follows the lanes and monitors the perimeter for encroachments. It will try to avoid intrusions by slowing and steering away from trouble. If it thinks you’ve become unresponsive, it gently comes to a halt.

Noteworthy Points:

Cool glass roof that changes transparency
Voice activation patchy
Excellent virtual directions on navigation
Vast space in the cabin
Fill washer water through BMW badge
Wireless carplay can freak out occassionally
150kw charging a bit slow
Sport mode turned off traction control (aparrently)

Conclusion:

Even if you don’t care for the exterior look, the cabin is utterly delicious. It is calm and Zen, a feeling that continues as you glide long the road silently, for around 420km. 150Kwh charging maximum is a little slow, but the 77Kwh battery will go from 30% to 100% in the time is takes to order and eat a coffee and croissant at a truck stop.

In short, if the iX xDrive 40 is this good, how much better is the iX 50 and iX M60?