BMW iX SUV - Electric motor, drive & performance

As seems to be the norm in this class of electric SUVs, the iX is way faster in a straight line than most drivers will ever need. While this is strictly unnecessary, it does at least give you plenty of peace of mind that you can confidently join the motorway and overtake slower cars.

More impressive is the way BMW has engineered the car to deliver a cohesive and rewarding driving experience. Thanks to the location of the battery in the car's floor, the iX has a low centre of gravity that helps it feel remarkably agile and planted for a 2.5-tonne SUV. It's a sensation that's also helped by the rear-wheel steering in the xDrive50, helping it to feel like a smaller car to drive. 

BMW iX electric motors

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Both versions are fitted with an electric motor on the front and rear axle, producing a combined 322bhp in the xDrive40. This is enough to get it from 0-62mph in a respectable 6.1 seconds, roughly matching the performance of a six-cylinder petrol or diesel BMW. 

The xDrive50 is on another level of performance altogether, with 516bhp making it more powerful than the BMW M3. With vast reserves of pulling power, it feels even faster than its 4.6-second 0-62mph acceleration figure suggests, and still has plenty of punch at motorway speeds. From a standing start, performance is startling, and you'll need to have a fairly good grip on the hexagonal steering wheel as the front wheels struggle with all the power.

You’ll have to really value the extra performance and range of the xDrive50, however, as it’s a startling £24,000 more than the still-quick xDrive40.