The iX is the first ground-up dedicated EV from BMW since it introduced the i3 in 2013, with the iX3 and upcoming i4 based on existing internal combustion engine platforms. So with the iX being a ‘proper’ EV not held back with the limitations of using an ICE platform is it a significant step forward for BMW EV’s? Well, when it comes to towing capacity the 2,500 kg rating is impressive and at the top end of electric tow cars. However, there are features/specifications of the BMW iX I’m less impressed with as I’ll discuss below.
Table of Contents
Key BMW iX Specs
- Official Towing Capacity – 2,500 kg (all versions)
- Availability – Now
- Price – Starting £69,905 (xDrive40) > £91,905 (xDrive50)
- Range (EV Database) – 215 Miles (xDrive40) > 315 Miles (xDrive50)
- Estimated Towing Range (50%) – 108 Miles (eDrive40) > 158 Miles (M50)
- Maximum DC Charge Rate – 150 kW (xDrive40) > 200 kW (xDrive50)
- Rapid Charge 10% to 80% – 31 min (xDrive40) > 34 min (xDrive50)
- Check Used BMW iX Specs
BMW iX HP & Torque Figures
- xDrive40 – 322 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque
- xDrive50 – 516 HP and 564 lb-ft of torque
BMW iX Towing Capabilities
So first off, I want to praise BMW for the 2,500 kg towing capacity for both versions of the iX on both the smaller and larger battery packs. The closest direct competition from the Audi E-Tron and Mercedes EQC both have a maximum towing capacity of 1,800 kg. The BMW iX on towing capacity even beats out the current market leader the Tesla Model X at 2,250 kg. So in terms of towing capacity for the iX, BMW gets a big thumbs up from me.
In terms of range, for the top specification xDrive50 in particular the 315-mile real-world range referencing EV-Database figures is also very respectable, which should produce around a 158-mile towing range. For comparison, the Audi E-Tron 55 for the same price has around a 230-mile real-world range (115 miles towing) and the Mercedes EQC will produce similar results to the E-Tron. The current Tesla Model X will produce around 280 miles (140 miles towing).
However, a new refreshed Tesla Model X will also be available at some point in 2022 when the iX launches. We don’t as yet know firm specifications on the updated Model X in terms of range/towing capacity, so just keep that in mind.
There are also rumours Tesla will soon announce their V4 Supercharger specification which the updated Model X will likely be compatible with. As I discuss in my Electric Tow Guides, rapid charging rates are arguable as important as range when it comes to towing, so how does the BMW iX fair with rapid charging?
BMW iX Rapid Charging/Power Specification Weirdness
When I was reviewing the confirmed specs on the iX something stud out to me which I find very odd indeed, essentially because I have just previously written my BMW i4 article. While the top of the range BMX iX xDrive50 provides a 200kW DC rapid charging rate, the cheaper/lower specification xDrive40 only offers a 150 kW maximum charging rate.
Now, upon reading that sentence you may be confused about what I find odd, it’s typically the case that cheaper variants of a vehicle will get lower specifications is it not? And that’s true, and that 150kW rapid charging rate is competitive with the Audi E-Tron at 155kW and much higher than the Mercedes EQC at 112kW.
Well, its the BMW i4 which is the fly in the ointment, both versions of the i4 get 200 kW rapid fast charging, the eDrive40 at £54K and the M50 at £62K. While the i4 has a lower towing capacity of 1,600 kg and is not a full-sized SUV like the iX since its a ‘gran coupé’ I still find it odd that BMW has chosen to offer lower specification rapid charging on a more expensive £69K vehicle in the form of the iX eDrive40!?
It’s not just the lower rapid charging rate on the iX xDrive40 compared to the smaller/cheaper i4 I find bizarre, its also the power/torque figures. The i4 is a smaller/lighter/cheaper vehicle, therefore I’m sure you would probably think the larger/more expensive iX with its larger towing capacity has the superior power/torque figures, yes? Well, that doesn’t appear to be case…
- BMW i4 eDrive40 – 335 HP and 317 lb-ft of torque (£54K)
- BMW i4 M50 – 536 HP and 586 lb-ft of torque (£62K)
- BMW iX xDrive40 – 322 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque (£69K)
- BMW iX xDrive50 – 516 HP and 564 lb-ft of torque (£90K)
BMW iX Review
I’ve included a review below by Matt Watson of CarWow. While Matt believes the exterior styling of the car is going to be very marmite, but the interior design/quality is class-leading. Also, the interior space within the iX is full maximised as the iX is a dedicated EV, hence no transmission tunnel to work around etc.
While the BMW iX is a large SUV, as Matt mentions in the review it doesn’t have the load-carrying capacity of the likes of the Mercedes EQC or the more expensive Tesla Model X. However, as I’ve referenced above, when it comes to towing capacity, neither of those cars can compete with the BMX iX at 2,500kg.
My Thoughts On The BMW iX…
As I’m writing this updated version of the article on the iX the first units are beginning to be delivered to customers. The first initial reviews of the iX in its top of the range XDrive50 form with its large battery over 100kWh do appear to show impressive real-world range over 300 miles.
As I’ve discussed above, BMW gets a big thumbs up from me on the 2,500 kg towing capacity and the range of the xDrive50 is very respectable, its just the power/torque and rapid charging specifications I find very odd.
Remember, this is not compared to the competition from another brand, that’s in comparison to their own also soon be released i4 which is a significantly lower-priced vehicle?!