BMW iX review - Interior & comfort

BMW has used a blend of aluminium and carbon-fibre in the construction of the iX, which makes it very rigid and has allowed engineers to fit supple suspension. In Comfort mode, it rides smoothly, taking the sting out of most surfaces, only allowing a distant thud when the car hits a particularly harsh bump. Refinement is also very good, with little tyre roar but some wind noise at higher speeds. In fact, few cars at any price are as refined as the iX. Frameless windows like those fitted to the iX look fancy, but they often close with a bit of a rattle. It means the BMW doesn’t have the same satisfying ‘thunk’ you get with the EQE SUV’s chunky doors.

BMW iX dashboard

Even if you aren't sold on the outside of the iX, the interior should hold plenty of appeal and represents the future of BMW design. Thanks to a low dashboard, the lack of a transmission tunnel and a floating centre console, the iX feels more spacious than a BMW X5. The quality of materials instantly impresses, with plenty of attractive metal trim and soft leather, and the traditional BMW dashboard layout has been replaced by a clutter-free approach. Each of the controls feels well-weighted and expensive; there’s no cheap plastic to spoil the illusion here. BMW’s plush leather front seats are hugely comfortable, although the fixed headrests won’t be to all tastes.

There's just a volume control, iDrive controller and gear selector on the new console, with almost everything now controlled via the widescreen instrument and infotainment displays or voice commands. Even the software is new because the iX ushers in the eighth-generation of iDrive, with new features including a 5G connection, upgraded navigation that can learn your regular routes and different modes such as 'Focus' for dynamic driving. BMW’s pair of gently curving displays seem almost modest beside the vast expanse of screen presented ahead of EQE drivers, and they appear to float above the dashboard, giving a more modern, delicate appearance.

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The system itself is brilliant to use; loading times are quick, the screen is responsive and the graphics are great. The voice control system is competent, but the big bonus here is that the iX retains BMW’s click wheel. While a touchscreen is quicker and easier to use when parked, having a physical control means small adjustments can be made by feel, rather than sight, on the move, which is less distracting. It’s a shame that the main climate functions are on the screen, but temperature is a permanent fixture at the bottom, so at least that can be adjusted easily.

Equipment

Picking an iX is relatively simple, with just Sport and M Sport trim levels to start with. The standard kit list is impressive but then it should be given that even the entry-level car is almost £70,000. Buyers get 21-inch alloy wheels, four-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats and an 18-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. 

M Sport costs around £3,000 extra, fitting a different design of alloy wheel, an M Sport design makeover with a body kit and tinted lights, and upgraded brakes.

Options

There are plenty of optional bundles to help owners make their iX stand out, including the Skylounge Pack that adds a panoramic glass roof. Technology Plus Pack brings a Bowers and Wilkins stereo and the Comfort Pack adds a heated steering wheel and massaging seats.