Battery size: 95 -109 kWh
Miles per kWh: 3.4
E-Rating™: A
Max charge rate: 195 kW
Range: 321 - 426
Introduction and history
The styling is the most talked about part of the iX, but there is a lot going on underneath. And those looks didn’t change much over time, while the car slowly evolved beneath the metal. The original xDrive40 and 50 cars are the most affordable, while the 2025 facelift brought an improved range and performance with the new xDrive45/60/M70.
Those top versions cost more than £100,000 when new, but the lesser models are more affordable but not as bling. But they lose money quickly in those first few years and it brings the luxury and capability of the iX within reach of mortals.
Why would you want one? It has a spacious, high-quality and high-tech cabin, a useful long-distance capability and strong performance - even from the lower trim versions.
What’s the real-world range of a used BMW iX?
The iX was originally offered with a 71kWh or 105kW battery pack, with official ranges of around 250 and 380 miles. Then the M60 arrived in 2022 as a performance flagship, which had bigger wheels and more power, which shrank the range to 348 miles.
With a little bit of battery degradation and real world adjustments, expect figures of 210 and and around 300 miles depending on the model these days.
The facelift came in May 2025 and brought more efficient motors and inverters, revamped battery technology and considerably more battery capacity.
The xDrive40 became the xDrive45, the 50 moved up to a 60 and the M60 was promoted to an M70. Battery capacities went up too, to 96kWh for the 45 while the iX xDrive60 and iX M70 models got a 109.6kWh pack. The range claims rose so the entry-level xDrive45 manages 375 miles according to the WLTP, which is a whopping 110 miles more than the pre-facelift car. The xDrive60 went to 426 miles, while the M70 achieved up to 366 miles.
How long will the battery on the BMW iX last?
Like all EV batteries, the iX’s power packs will lose some capacity over years of use due to chemistry and charge cycles. This is normal, in the same way that engines wear over time. But the way the car has been driven, stored and charged will affect the battery state-of-health scores.
The iX seems to be pretty hardly though, and we couldn’t find any used examples which had dipped below the 95% capacity mark - even one which had covered just over 85,000 miles in four years.
However, a newer iX with 51,000 miles showed the same 95% capacity, suggesting that regular - but careful - use is more important than miles. Another four year old car with 62,000 miles scored 98% of its original capacity and a 26,000 mile xDrive50 had an almost perfect 99%. 50 Try and find a dealer which can show you the battery health score for your peace of mind too.
BMW now offers a Battery Health Quick Report for its Approved Used electric cars. The high-voltage battery warranty is eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
You might need it too - there was a battery recall in 2022 to fix defective cells. BMW warned owners not to charge their cars until the repair was completed and 211 vehicles were affected. There was also a 2023 recall involving the cell supervision circuit inside the battery. All should’ve been fixed by now, but check for proof.
How reliable is a used BMW iX and what are the common problems?
There are more problems listed than you’d think, but the previous owners should have shouldered most of the hassle by now.
Despite the worrying recalls mentioned in the section above, the iX’s most frequent problems tend to be associated with software, charging, ancillary electronics and the sheer complexity of the systems.
There was a recall for the Combined Charging Unit on certain models, but there have also been annoying software niggles. These have caused failed OTA updates, infotainment glitches, app connectivity problems and occasional warning messages caused by control-unit problems. These are usually fixed after a software reboot at a BMW dealer.
As with many EVs, a worn out 12v battery will cause all sorts of issues too, and watch out for the wheels and tyres - the bigger sizes are expensive to fix or replace.
Which is the best version to buy?
There is a big difference in price and specification between the cheapest 2022 xDrive40 and the poshest M70. The Sport is the lowest rung in the iX ladder but came with a surprisingly generous level of standard kit including 21-inch wheels, heated seats and automatic parking.
Next up is the M Sport, which will be the sweet spot for many and is more common. It adds more aggressive exterior styling and more equipment, but the specification varied wildly according to the option boxes the original buyer ticked.
The M60 came with 22-inch wheels, soft-close doors, upgraded lighting, Bowers & Wilkins audio, ventilated massage seats and adaptive air suspension.
It's a spectacular car but not necessarily the cleverest used buy as it is heavier on tyres, more expensive to insure and is less efficient. The same goes for the post-facelift M70. It has even more power, adaptive air suspension and Active Steering as standard. But it will be pricey car to own compared to the iX50.
I'd make the xDrive50 M Sport the top choice, as it gets most of the advantages of the iX without the xDrive40's smaller battery or the M60's extra running costs.
Remember the VED though, or you could be in for a nasty shock. Cars registered from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2025 pay the £200 standard rate in 2026/27, but iXs registered from April 2025 will have to pay the £440 Expensive Car Supplement from the second year for five years.
How long is the warranty?
The BMW iX is covered by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty which is fine but it seems a bit light compared to other electric car makers. Kia, for instance, offers a seven-year warranty on its EV9.
There’s also an 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage battery degradation warranty, with a minimum of 70% minimum energy content guaranteed.
What are the ownership and running costs of an BMW iX?
This is where you need to keep your eyes open and be prepared to budget, although the costs will be a breath of fresh air if you are swapping out of a petrol or diesel SUV.
BMW's current five-year Service Inclusive price for an iX is around £920 and covers the filters and brake fluid changes, in addition to the checks and software updates needed. There are no mileage restrictions during the five-year period but tyres, brakes and wear items are excluded.
That’s important as the consumables can be pricey. The tyres - especially the 22 and 23 inches - are around £300 each, and the suspension components can suffer as the iX is a heavy car.
Thanks to regeneration, the brake pads will last for age but ironically the reduced use means the discs can end up pitted with corrosion - check before you buy.
Finally, get an insurance quote and remember that all iX models have a list price of more than £50,000 including any extras, so those which were registered after April 1st 2025 will pay the Expensive Car Supplement on the road tax.
What other cars should I consider?
The most obvious rivals are the Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes EQE SUV. The Q8 went out of production in February 2025, and will be more attractive to many as it looks more conventional. It is good to drive and high quality but seems inefficient and relatively slow charging by the standards of the iX.
The Mercedes EQE SUV and EQS SUV have the luxury, refinement and range and some of the futuristic feel of the iX.
Don’t forget the Jaguar I-Pace, which is a little smaller but seems to be a used-market bargain, even compared to the iX.However, its reliability history is more concerning.
If you want to go really off the most travelled path, how about a Genesis Electrified GV70,Polestar 3 or even an older Tesla Model X? All have their advantages and are worth a look.
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