BMW is one of the established automakers that has simply been on a winning streak lately. They had some minor recalls and a few issues with the plug-in hybrid X5, but those were solved fairly quickly. It’s no surprise that you want a BMW. Few people wouldn’t buy one of their cars if they had the money. But if it’s an all-electric Bimmer you desire, here are a few reasons why the iX is a smart and safe choice.
The six-cylinder B58 and the eight-cylinder S58 are two amazing engines. A lot more power can safely be extracted from them. Also, if maintained properly, they can also last well over a decade without requiring any serious servicing. Just make sure you’re using the right oil and OE parts, and you should be golden.
But BMW also makes all-electric cars, which are surprisingly good. The i4, for example, is praised by owners, despite its not very impressive specs-wise. But it’s understandable since it’s hard not to like a well-built BMW that has just a different powertrain, which can be more suitable for urban dwellers who want to commute in peace and also have enough passing power on tap.
The data also doesn’t lie. A conventional premium automaker delivered 442,072 EVs in 2025, almost 4% more than in 2024. That’s peanuts compared to Tesla, which sells as many vehicles in a single quarter, but it’s great for a carmaker that didn’t come into this business as an EV-only manufacturer.
Consumer Reports members also helped place BMW in the fifth position in their annual reliability report for 2025. In 2022, it was the third most reliable brand, but two positions down in the ranking is nothing to worry about.
Most of the above has little to do with you and your interest in the iX, but those numbers just go to show BMW has been honestly trying to make good EVs that are worthy of their price tag. Still, it never hurts to ask for discounts or wait for a deal.
Photo: BMW
Veteran car buyers who have let enthusiasm get the better of them will probably tell you that acquiring a new vehicle can quite easily lead to buyer’s remorse. That’s why all large purchases should be made with absolute conviction and only after you wait a little bit to confirm that it’s really necessary.
So, you want to buy a battery-powered BMWWhen writing, the facelifted BMW iX can’t be ordered as a custom configuration from the Dingolfing, Germany, factory. Even though it entered production only a year and two months ago, the Bavarians decided not to send any more units to the U.S., likely because of tariffs. However, they’re also preparing to bring the iX3 stateside and, soon after, the iX5.
If you want the refreshed version of the iX, searching what dealers have in stock or looking for a privately-owned unit is your best bet. Some middlemen might even offer incentives to those wanting to acquire an iX xDrive45, iX xDrive60, or iX M70. Be patient and do your research before pulling the trigger.
The sweet spot, as always, is in the middle, which means the iX xDrive60 is your best bet. It makes use of a 113.4-kWh battery, accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.4 seconds, and, on a full charge, should cover around 340 mi (547 km) before begging you to plug it in. It had an MSRP of $88,500.
We’ve looked around and found that there is a surprising number of iX xDrive45s up for grabs, while iX xDrive60s with delivery miles are somehow still priced above their starting MSRP. In New Jersey, Virginia, and California, however, dealers are more eager to sell. Their pricing includes option packs and is closer to the MSRP than others we’ve seen.
Photo: Cars.com
If you are willing to buy a driven iX xDrive60, the price can drop pretty hard. There are some units out there selling for around $81,000 with only 3,000 miles on the odo.
This kind of immediate depreciation shouldn’t be surprising. After all, the pre-facelift version set the bar pretty low. The non-LCI iX lost around 30% of its initial value or more in the first year of ownership. Even models with less than 3,000 miles on the clock sold for a steep discount. That’s the fate of most EVs because the technology keeps progressing.
Now, if we add China into the mix and its heavily subsidized EVs, which are very rapidly winning hearts and minds in parts of Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America, Russia, and even Africa, the future of the BMW iX does seem uncertain, to say the least.
So, why buy it then?But you’re still better off with a brand-new or CPO iX xDrive60, if what you truly want is an all-electric BMW that will accommodate your entire family and offer a pleasant driving experience.
Photo: BMW
And since it loses value so quickly, the smartest move is to lease an iX xDrive60 for two or three years, which is the ideal timeframe for BMW to launch the iX3 and iX5, work out the first year of production kinks, and bring forward some sweet deals for those looking to upgrade from an iX or after demand has slowed. When writing, the iX3 is so popular in Europe that people are willing to wait even a year for a custom order.
Another reason to go with the iX instead of waiting for the iX3 or the iX5 is that it’s already somewhere close to you, waiting to become your newest family member. And since it’s already in stock and about to be discounted, you have lots of room for negotiations. Some states even continue to offer incentives for EVs.
Next, if you’re nostalgic, the iX still has the round iDrive controller and iDrive 8.5. As a bonus, you also get to enjoy the normal, round steering wheel wrapped in leather and a power-adjustable steering column.
Another advantage of the iX is that it was built from the ground up to be just a battery-powered crossover SUV, or SAV if you speak BMW lingo. It’s the spiritual successor and bigger brother of the original i3, the quirky urban EV with narrow wheels.
Photo: BMW
Meanwhile, the upcoming X5 (that replaces the iX) will be available as a mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, all-electric, and as a fuel-cell vehicle (FCEV). The latter will come with hydrogen tanks, and it will emit water vapor to move people around.
Have a little faith!While it’s certainly impressive that BMW continues on the “power of choice” route, it’s safe to assume there will be a couple of issues to work out before the new lineup is deemed a good choice for any type of buyer. The current-gen X5, more precisely the pre-facelift X5 xDrive45e, was subject to a massive recall that had owners park outside because it could spontaneously ignite and burn to a crisp.
The refreshed iX, fortunately, does not have those kinds of issues. Its predecessor’s recalls were mostly about software, a few bad battery modules that were replaced for free, some airbag problems, and a couple of combined charging unit (CCU) connectors. The facelift should not experience the same shortcomings.
Photo: BMW
We also did a little bit of online digging and discovered that most iX owners are happy about their EVs and have positive experiences to share, which is uncommon. Typically, car owners come to forums or social media to complain. That’s a good sign!
Finally, remember that the iX cannot be deemed reliable or not. It’s a relatively new model in BMW’s lineup. It hasn’t even been a decade since its launch, and it’s already being sent to the shadow realm together with the XM.
But as a new and fancy zero-tailpipe emission whip for someone wanting a battery-powered BMW that will run like the wind on command and waft on the highway or glide within the city, the iX xDrive60 is an ideal choice. Too bad it doesn’t have Dog Mode.
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The BMW iX. 100% electric.#THEiX #BMW #BMWElectric pic.twitter.com/UtZ2CabD2P
— BMW (@BMW) August 26, 2024