I am an automotive enthusiast but with that, I am a gadget freak as well. Not to mention, I enjoy everything pop culture and science fiction as well. Invariably, all of these passions of mine are intertwined and while they are usually distinctly different, some things come along that have a tinge of all of them. In recent memory, BMW iX was one such object- the iX xDrive50, to be precise.

Whether you consider the i8 from 2014 or the iNext Concept from 2018, BMW always seems to have an idea of what will be in vogue in the following two or three years. When I first laid eyes on the iNext Concept, I thought that it was too concept-y to make it to production as is or even retain a fair bit of it. Fast forward to 2022 and the iX debuted and guess what… It was more or less the same. Of course, it was not as radical but still, it retained almost everything that was enticing about the concept. 

That was to some people’s chagrin but to be honest, it was a delight for me. It is a car, loaded with tech, and futuristic as f… future. So, a convergence of the majority of stuff that I like. Despite that though, things kept happening and I was not able to take the time to get to experience the iX. Fast forward to 2024 and I finally got a shot at it. Fortunately for me, BMW brought out the big guns for the iX namely the xDrive50 variant. More power, more torque, and more fun! So, let us get to it.

The BMW iX has been a bestseller for BMW in India and just the looks of the car are enough to drive the sales. Some bits are a bit radical but overall, it is a very proportionate and handsome car. The xDrive50 variant gets 22” aero-efficient wheels that suit the car well. I especially like the sleek headlight design and the two-piece DRL. The rear is beautiful in an understated sense and the overall stance of the car exudes space, opulence, and style. 

The car also gets the Sport Package as standard so the bumper covers on both ends have a sportier treatment with black inserts. The large grill may be divisive but most people have gotten used to it now. I never had a problem with it to begin with. I have driven the new M4 as well and I have no qualms with the grille at all. Overall, I believe the iX xDrive50 is a good-looking car and can go toe-to-toe with its ICE counterpart, the X5… or at least that is what I consider to be its counterpart. 

If there is one device that can match the futuristic persona of the BMW iX, it is the Acer Swift 5. Powered by the Intel Evo platform, the Swift 5 is not only compact but a powerhouse in all aspects of performance.

Step inside the car and the ‘bestseller theme’ continues. The BMW iX has one of the best interiors of the many cars I have driven over the years. And I have driven a fair few cars that have stellar interiors. One of the best bits about it is the fact that despite being laden with tech, it feels airy and roomy. It is not overdone and overcomplicated. Everything is where it is supposed to be, though a few more physical buttons and dials would have been welcome. But the touchscreen makes up for it. 

First off, the hexagonal steering takes some getting used to. But then, the twin displays that curve ever so slightly in the bar they are a part of are stunning. Both the instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen are laid out beautifully. You have tons of customization, creature comforts, electronics, modes, and everything else you can think of that can be controlled with the screen. Moreover, the seats in both the front and the rear are extremely comfortable and long distances in this car will be a breeze. 

Talking about long distances, let us talk about the powertrain. You have at your disposal 523 hp of power and 765 Nm of torque and BMW’s xDrive system. The grunt and the all-wheel drive system mean 0-100 km/h in 4.6s according to BMW. According to me, it is too quick for a car of its size. The amount of torque and the ‘electric nature’ of its delivery means that your head is almost thrown backwards when you floor it. The iX is simply ‘electric’ off the line. 

The top speed is electronically limited at 200 kays an hour but at this point, who cares? If you want something to do 200 kays an hour, you get something else. If you want to cruise cocooned in style and opulence with enough grunt to humiliate a naughty driver, you get the iX. Despite its almost athletic performance, the BMW iX xDrive50 has a pristine ride quality. Air suspension is standard and that means it glides over almost everything. 

The car lowers automatically over 140 kays an hour for better aero-efficiency and can be raised 20mm with the press of a button to scale taller obstacles. Despite the plush ride quality, the BMW iX xDrive50 is poised during spirited driving too. It can stitch together corners at a surprising pace. Even then though, you have to respect physics… especially inertia. Overall, the iX is a car that is meant for long distances. 

How long? Well, with the 111.5 kWh battery pack, one can get around 500 km in mixed conditions. That is a fair bit. Even more so when it can be charged fully in less than 11 hours with the 11 kW charger and around 5 hours with the 22 kW charger. There’s also a 195 kW option that can get you to 80% in 35 mins. While the charging infrastructure still has some ways to go, it is good to see the impressive range and various charging options on a car that is so deceptively quick. 

So, the BMW iX is seriously impressive and if you have north of 1.4 crores lying around that need decent spending… I wholeheartedly recommend the BMW iX xDrive50.