Living with an electric vehicle long term often reveals flaws that short test drives miss. In the case of the BMW iX, however, extended ownership tells a different story. After more than a year and roughly 17,000 miles, BMW’s luxury electric SUV proves to be something rare in the EV world: consistently reliable, deeply comfortable, and quietly excellent in everyday life.
TL;DR
A luxury EV that just works.
Boring in the best possible way.
Ugly on the outside, sublime on the inside—and shockingly good to live with every day.
A Long-Term Electric SUV That Doesn’t Cause Headaches
The BMW iX has spent over a year in daily use, and its defining trait is how uneventful that experience has been. In a fleet filled with electric vehicles that suffered from various issues, the iX stood out by simply doing its job every single day. It starts up, drives without drama, and never leaves its driver worrying about reliability. That consistency alone made it one of the most trusted EVs in long-term use.
Polarizing Design, Stunning Interior
From the outside, the BMW iX is unapologetically controversial. Its bold proportions and oversized front design draw strong reactions, and not always positive ones. Yet once inside, the conversation changes instantly. The cabin feels open, futuristic, and thoughtfully designed, with excellent materials throughout. The dashboard layout creates a sense of space, while the screens are positioned close enough to feel intuitive rather than overwhelming.
The seats are a standout feature, offering exceptional comfort and some of the best heated seat performance experienced in any vehicle. Optional heated panels keep elbows and arms warm, making the cabin feel cozy and inviting. Combined with excellent sound insulation, the iX becomes a place where passengers can truly relax—even nap—during long drives.
Space, Practicality, and Everyday Usability
As a two-row SUV, the BMW iX prioritizes passenger and cargo space over squeezing in a small third row. This decision pays off. Rear-seat passengers enjoy generous legroom, and the cargo area is large enough to handle everything from luggage and sports gear to event equipment. The flat floor and wide opening make loading and unloading effortless, reinforcing the iX’s role as a practical family vehicle.
A large glass roof enhances the cabin’s airy feel, and its adjustable opacity allows light in without overheating passengers. This thoughtful touch eliminates the need for aftermarket shades while keeping the interior comfortable.
Technology That’s Powerful—Sometimes Too Powerful
BMW’s iDrive system in the iX is highly capable, offering deep customization and strong smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation can be mirrored between the central screen and the digital cluster, freeing up space for other functions.
However, the system relies heavily on touch controls. Simple tasks like adjusting heated seats or adaptive cruise follow distance require navigating multiple on-screen menus. While voice commands work exceptionally well and can handle many of these actions easily, the absence of physical buttons can still feel frustrating when a quick adjustment is needed.
Gesture controls also proved to be more annoying than useful, often triggering unintended actions, leading some drivers to disable them entirely.
Driving Experience: Calm, Confident, and Effortless
Behind the wheel, the BMW iX delivers smooth, predictable performance. With 516 horsepower from its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, acceleration is quick and effortless. Despite the power, the vehicle prioritizes comfort over sportiness. Steering remains light across all drive modes, limiting excitement but enhancing ease of use in daily driving.
The ride quality is exceptional, especially with the optional air suspension, which absorbs road imperfections with ease. Regenerative braking and throttle response are well-calibrated, making the iX feel natural and intuitive—something not all EVs manage to achieve.
Range, Charging, and Real-World Performance
Range is one of the iX’s strongest attributes. In testing, it exceeded expectations by covering 377 miles on a single charge, significantly surpassing its EPA rating of 315 miles. Charging performance is equally impressive, with peak DC fast-charging speeds approaching 200 kilowatts, allowing the large 106.3 kWh battery to recharge quickly.
For long trips, this combination of comfort, range, and charging speed makes the BMW iX an excellent road-trip companion.
Reliability That Builds Trust
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of long-term ownership is how dependable the iX has been. Aside from a recall and a highway debris incident unrelated to the vehicle itself, it required minimal attention. Service experiences were smooth, and downtime was rare. In an EV landscape where reliability concerns are common, the iX stood out by simply showing up and working every day.