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2022 BMW iX xDrive50: What's It Like to Live With?

We're testing the all-new BMW iX for 20,000 miles

BMW iX 2022
Miles Driven:Average kWh/100:
7,20338.8

Latest Highlights (updated 02/13/23)

  • Over 350 miles on a full charge
  • Over-the-top BMW luxury
  • Has BMW found the electric SUV sweet spot?

What do you want to know about?


What We Bought And Why

by Jake Sundstrom, editor

Our test vehicle: 2022 BMW iX xDrive50
Base MSRP: $83,200
MSRP as tested: $102,070

The BMW iX is the Bavarian automaker's first all-new electric vehicle since the BMW i3 debuted in 2014 (which we also owned). It seems the wait was worth it. The iX is of similar size to the popular BMW X5, which we recently put through a 20,000-mile test. But while the iX shares characteristics with its X series cousin, this feels like a brand-new vehicle. It leans hard into its luxury status, with an interior that feels like the automotive equivalent of a stroll through the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Its range is also impressive. We drove 377 miles on a single charge in Edmunds' real-world range test, which put it atop our SUV range leaderboard.

What Did We Get?

We got a 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 on loan from BMW for the purpose of a 20,000-mile test. An iX with no modifications comes in at a little more than $82,000. The xDrive50, which in this case is booted with 22-inch wheels, is BMW's way of saying it's a vehicle with all-wheel drive.

That's just the start of the numerous packages on this iX. The Dynamic Handling package ($1,600) adds a two-axle air suspension; the Luxury package ($1,150) bequeaths us with a walnut console and glass controls; the Premium package ($4,000) includes an interior camera, parking assist, Live Cockpit Pro, a surround-view camera system, and as a treat, an upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system ($3,400). Finally, the Sport package ($2,800) is what allows us to upgrade to those 22-inch wheels ($950).

Still other additions include the Radiant Heating package ($950), the Active Driving Assistant Pro ($1,700) pre-collision warning and mitigation system, and adaptive LED headlights ($1,000). Add a destination charge of $995, subtract $175 for the passenger lumbar control (yep, chip shortage), and we arrive at a grand total of $102,070 MSRP. Whew.

Why Did We Get It?

At the time of this introduction, the BMW iX is Edmunds' highest-rated electric SUV, beating the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It's also part of a small group of luxury all-electric SUVs that includes the Rivian R1T. But while we were impressed with the iX in initial testing, we are eager to push it through a full year of rigorous testing. That includes taking this very road trip-friendly SUV on the open road, testing both drive comfort and America's charging infrastructure.

How well will this luxury EV hold up after 20,000 miles of driving? What surprises does BMW's latest foray into electric cars hold for us? Only time will tell.

BMW loaned Edmunds this vehicle for the purpose of evaluation.


2022 BMW iX xDrive50: Real-World Range

What's the range and efficiency like on this BMW iX? We're here to find out.

Average lifetime consumption (kWh/100 miles): 33.8
EPA rating (kWh/100 miles): 39 combined ( 39 City / 39 Highway )
Best consumption (kWh/100 miles): 30.4
Best range (miles): 223.7
Current odometer: 7,203