Of course, when the iX was revealed back in 2021, BMW fans had much to say about the way it looked. How do I know? Because I had to do a double take when I first saw the way it looked. Some would describe it as a bit unwieldy-looking or downright unattractive, but there is no doubt it has presence. Last year, the refreshed version of the iX arrived with some minor design tweaks, range improvements, updated tech, and revised model names. 

2026 BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport: what’s new?

When first laying eyes on the LCI (life cycle impulse) version of the BMW iX, you’d be right to ask, “What’s different?”  

Firstly, LCI is BMW’s way of saying it’s been updated, rather than using the term ‘facelift’. However, rather than a mere facelift that usually entails styling tweaks and equipment changes, BMW has paid more attention to what’s under the metal, with all models getting bigger batteries and improved range, more power, and faster 0-62mph times. 

In the mid-range xDrive60 M Sport spec, you now get a 109.1kWh battery, up from 105.2kWh, which is officially capable of up to 426 miles of range, a 46-mile improvement over the old xDrive50 model. Power is up to 536bhp and 765Nm of torque with a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds. Flat out, it’ll do 124mph. 

Outside, updated bits include the light-up kidney grilles at the front, which you can switch off, and a refreshed front end with an updated headlight design. The iX options list has also been expanded to include seven new paint finishes and six new alloy wheel designs that range from 20- to 23-inches in size. 

Trim levels are unchanged, with Sport reserved for the base powertrain only, while M Sport and the flagship ‘M’ model sit at the top of the range. Other additions include a new sporty steering wheel design for the ‘M’ models and a quartet of optional interior packages to choose from that add extra tech, comfort features, or exterior design changes. 

Still divisive and imposing to look at

As I said earlier, the design of the iX is divisive-looking to some and downright ugly to others. It comes from when BMW hit us with a bunch of controversial designs at the turn of the decade, including the M3 and M4 and the new 7 Series. 

In facelifted form, it’s still very snouty looking, with the oversized kidney grilles dominating the nose. The new headlight design helps bring it into line with BMW’s Neue Klasse design ethos, while the rest of the car is chock full of angular strakes, giving it a muscular look. However, I think it looks good. Now some five years from its initial launch, it still looks futuristic and has plenty of presence on the road. Like it or loathe it, I have no doubt that it’s instantly recognisable as a radical evolution of BMW design. Which is a good thing. 

A fantastic-looking and techy cabin

On the inside, for me, the interior of the iX is fabulous. Like the outside, it still feels like a significant leap forward in both design and tech. 

When sitting in the driver’s seat, it feels spacious with plenty of light and ultra luxurious throughout with a mix of Alcantara, leather, and fabric trim. The seats feel like armchairs, with the LCI update adding a tweaked design for improved comfort. Support is excellent even for taller folk like myself, and there is a wealth of adjustability, too. 

A pair of curved screens are mated together to form the infotainment and dial cluster setup, measuring in at 14.9-inches and 12.3-inches respectively. All of the main controls and settings for the car are contained in the larger screen, which is easy to use with a little practice. It looks very similar to a vast smartphone, as once I’d got used to where the menu options were, tapping through them became quick and easy to do. The same applies to the smaller dial cluster, which is clear and easy to read and is capable of showing useful functions like the radar cruise control. The iX’s ease of use is helped by the steering wheel button layout, which is simple and effective, giving you quick access to the cruise control and the infotainment when you need it. 

All of the options, but at a price

My test car was lavishly equipped, to say the least. Highlights include the very expensive Sky Lounge Panoramic Sunroof (£3,200), alongside the M Sport package Pro (£1,350), with the latter adding Anthracite roof lining, M spec electric sports seats and a matching leather-trimmed steering wheel, as well as darkened headlights.  The Comfort (£1,650) and Technology (£3,250) packs are also worth optioning too, adding useful features like 22kW high-speed charging (useful for charging at home), ventilated front seats, parking assistance pro, and heating for the front and rear seats. 

Other less useful options include a towbar (£1,150) and the illuminated kidney grills (£500). 

In terms of how I’d spec an iX, the M spec seats are worthwhile, as they give you ‘M’ colour stripes dotted around the interior, while the Integral Active Steering (£1,400) adds an active rear axle, making it more agile. Air Suspension (£2,050) is also a must-have, as it gives the iX a smooth, cosseting ride quality similar to far more expensive luxury SUVs. 

But can a heavyweight, very large EV drive be the Ultimate Driving Machine? 

You may be surprised by this, but yes, the BMW iX is brilliant to drive. 

In xDrive60 guise, it’s super agile through corners with grip aplenty, belying its 2.4-tonne kerbweight; the steering is feelsome, quick, and accurate, too. Yes, more challenging corners will expose its weight a bit, but overall, it feels poised and sporty. Basically, exactly what you’d expect of a high-end BMW. 

It’s quick, too, taking 4.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph. Switching it into Efficient mode for a fast take-off makes the nose rise up as you hit the throttle, while engaging Sport or Sport Plus pushes you back into your seat with a fierce wave of electric torque as you accelerate, which make it a bit of a thrill to drive. Even in mid-range xDrive60 spec, the iX has sufficient grunt for every scenario, with getting up to speed or overtaking being easy thanks to the significant power output.

During my test, I saw an average of 3.1 miles/kWh, a decent figure for a car this large that’s packed with tech, a figure that would be easily improved on longer runs. With 75% charge remaining, the predicted range sat around 290 miles, meaning that close to 400 miles should be possible. Note that this was achieved on a warm early summer day with the air con on the medium setting. 

All of the space, comfort, and practicality you’d ever need

The iX is a big car, vast in fact. The boot measures 500 litres, which isn’t the best in class, as both the Mercedes EQE (520 litres) and Lotus Eletre (688 litres) offer more space. It is easy to access via the wide opening, helped by the full-width tailgate, though. Folding down the rear seats increases storage to 1,750 litres, a figure that beats both the rival Mercedes and Lotus. 

The interior feels spacious, with plenty of room for five passengers, and as I mentioned earlier, there’s plenty of room for the tall people, and both the front and rear seats are supremely comfortable. 

Refinement and comfort are also excellent. When on the move, the iX glides along, soaking up any road imperfections with ease. It’s serenely quiet, too, with only a faint sniff of wind noise noticeable and no sign of any electric motor whine either. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that it is relaxingly quiet inside on the move, cosseting you from the outside world. 

Verdict: a class-leading luxury electric SUV for the drivers

Love or hate the looks, there is no doubt that the BMW iX is one of the most polished offerings in the luxury electric SUV section. It drives brilliantly, with tactile and feelsome handling that is both sporty and engaging. The inside offers a high-tech premium experience that is simple to operate, along with swathes of luxury and a serene level of refinement that some rival car markers simply cannot match. 

Of course, all of this brilliance has a high cost. With prices for the xDrive60 starting from £93,205 before options, at which point you could add another £20k to that with ease. However, with the era of the luxury electric SUV upon us, the refreshed iX is one of the best options available to those with deep pockets. 

2026 BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport: full gallery

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Sue, who was a pioneering force in motoring journalism, a long-standing SGMW member and former chairman, passed away in November 2022 after bravely battling Motor Neurone Disease.

To celebrate Sue’s contribution to the world of motoring and the SGMW, members agreed that this year’s annual karting event would take place in her honour, renaming it the SGMW Sue Baker Memorial Karting Grand Prix with the Motor Neurone Disease Association as its nominated charity.

Fifteen teams entered – with last year’s winners Gazoo Racing competing against BMW, Genesis, Honda, Ineos/PFPR, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Newspress/Loop, Nobull, Porsche, SMMT, Toyota, Volkswagen – along with the Southern group team entry, Volvo by SGMW.

From the moment the lights went out, every one of the teams dug deep with some very committed racing.

The early pacesetter was the Porsche team, trailed by SGMW by Volvo in second and Gazoo Racing in third. In the early stages, the SGMW’s own Sean Ward set the pace with a fastest lap time of 49.868 seconds.

After nearly 50 laps, Nobull had broken into the top three only a couple of seconds behind SGMW by Volvo by SGMW in second place, while the Porsche team was showing strong pace in first place, quickly establishing a lead of nearly 12 seconds.

Soon after, Nobull battled into first place – with Porsche, Gazoo Racing and SGMW by Volvo regularly swapping places to make up the top four – with all showing strong pace to separate themselves from the rest of the field.

By the end of the two-and-a-half-hour race though, the Porsche team claimed victory with a brilliant fightback to complete 161 laps by the chequered flag and take the coveted SGMW Karting GP Trophy.

In second place, Gazoo Racing finished only 14.3 seconds behind the winner. It completed the same number of laps, while the Volvo by SGMW team took a well-deserved third place completing 159 laps.

All of the top three teams set the pace throughout the race with only a few tenths of a second separating them for the quickest lap of the day.

Overall winners Porsche recorded a time of 47.989 seconds, with second place Gazoo Racing just ahead with a time of 47.704.

Both were denied the bragging rights by SGMW by Volvo driver Sean Ward, who set the fastest lap of the day with a time of 47.648 seconds in the final stint of the race.

The race finished with SGMW treasurer Chris Manning handing over a cheque for £4,850 to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the karting event.

“But, more importantly, thanks so much to everyone that supports the event, donates the money, participates in racing and who helped us to raise a whopping £4,850 for Motor Neurone Disease in memory of our dear friend and colleague, Sue Baker.

“Since we started the annual charity karting event, we have now raised more than £30,000. It’s thanks to our colleagues in the industry that this has been made possible.

“As chairman of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

The top picture shows Stuart Bird, a leading light of the SGMW karting organising team, and Sarah Armstrong, MND Association south east regional fund-raiser, with the £4,850 cheque and other SGMW members.

To learn more about the MNDA’s fantastic work visit www.mndassociation.org

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Our fifth Heritage Day, again staged at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, was enjoyed by 25 SGMW members, a record number representing three-quarters of our total membership.

They were joined at this popular blast from the past by 17 PRs, from seven manufacturers, while another four brands sent cars, both heritage and modern models, for SGMW members to drive.

SGMW secretary and Heritage Day organiser Chris Rees said: “The response was overwhelmingly positive at the end of the day.

“People didn’t want to go and they were just glowing about our Heritage Day. People also stayed and visited the motor museum.”

Every single car supplied by manufacturers for the event was driven while some SGMW members added to the heritage haul by bringing their cherished classic cars.

At the end of the day everyone voted for their champion cars – the Car of the Day brought by manufacturers and best car belonging to an SGMW member.

Manufacturers Car of the Day was a two-horse race between the current Porsche Cayman GT4 and 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth with the former winning by a single vote.

Stuart Bird’s characterful SEAT Terra van was the runaway SGMW winner.

The full range of manufacturers’ cars driven were:

• BMW 1 Series M Coupe.
• Citroen’s new C5X executive crossover.
• Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Mustang Mach 1 and Mustang Mach-E.
• Genesis GV60 SUVs.
• Honda HR-V SUV.
• Kia Stinger 3.3 V6 GT-S and original Soul EV.
• Lexus IS F and NX HEV SUV.
• Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and Cayenne Turbo GT.
• Skoda Fabia vRS Mark 1.
• Toyota Yaris Mark 1 and MR2 TF 300 Roadster.
• Volkswagen Polo GTI.

A big thank you to all the manufacturers and SGMW members who supplied cars and made the event such a success.

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More than 20 members are attending our SGMW Heritage Day at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in mid-August.

It will be the fifth time the group has hosted the event at the historic motoring venue with manufacturers bringing heritage models and modern counterparts.

Kia UK, one of the manufacturers attending the Heritage Day, is also hosting a driving day for the SGMW the previous day. Members will drive the latest cars from the Kia range, including electrified models.

Members are staying overnight at Burley Manor, in the heart of the New Forest National Park, so the Kia driving day will be followed by the SGMW’s AGM.

SGMW secretary and Heritage Day organiser Chris Rees said: “It promises to be a really, really good turnout of members.

“To get two-thirds of the total group membership in the summer holiday season for two days of events is excellent.”

Altogether 12 manufacturers are supporting our Heritage Day.

Eight PR teams – Ford, Genesis, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen – are attending in person while BMW, Citroen, Honda and Skoda are supplying cars.

The picture shows last year’s star cars. Car of the day went to the Jeep CJ-7 while Mark Bursa’s Kia Pride was judged best members’ car.

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Twelve teams competed for glory – from BMW, Honda, Newspress, Nissan, Porsche, SGMW, Stellantis, Toyota, Lexus, Gazoo, Volvo and Women On the Move Against Cancer (WOMAC) – earlier this month at TeamSport in Crawley, near Gatwick Airport.

This year’s Karting GP nominated charity was WOMAC which was established in 1979. The original plan had been to tie in the event with WOMAC’s 40^th anniversary but the Covid pandemic forced the cancellation of the Karting GP in the past two years.

But it was worth the wait and, better late than never, it raised £2,550 for WOMAC.

WOMAC is made up of around 70 women volunteers working in the automotive and associated industries. It organises events and activities to raise money for cancer charities.

Over the years, WOMAC has given more than £1,000,000 to cancer-related projects, searching for more effective treatments or improving the quality of life for cancer-sufferers, their families and carers.

Despite receiving three black flags before the lap counter had gone into double digits, it was soon evident which team was the one to beat.

Graham Bothamley, head of the Toyota press garage, looked suitably impressed with his team’s work but any mentions of ‘brought-in’ karting racers were denied.

The black flags would increase for the Gazoo team during the 150-minute endurance race.

From the start to the chequered flag, the 12 teams worked hard, building up sweats and appetites that were thankfully catered for with a non-stop run of pizza throughout the race.

Despite continuing to collect black flags, the overall winner, with 147 laps completed, was Gazoo Racing. It added to the SGMW karting title it won at the previous event back in 2019.

Toyota took second place with Porsche third.

Prizes for the three fastest laps went to:

• Ryan Luscombe (Gazoo Racing) – 47.785 seconds.
• Andy Jenner (Toyota) – 48.160 seconds.
• Sean Ward (SGMW member driving for Team WOMAC) – 48.182 seconds.

Massimo Pini, a co-founder and organiser of the SGMW annual Karting GP, said “It was great to be back on track with one of our biggest fund-raisers of the year and fulfill our promise to WOMAC which was originally to have coincided with its 40th anniversary – but the pandemic put paid to that.

“The Southern Group of Motoring Writers is a big supporter of the charity and we are proud to have WOMAC patrons Sue Baker, Sarah Bradley and Claire Evans among our membership.”

The event finished with SGMW treasurer Chris Manning presenting a giant cheque for £2,550 to WOMAC chair Georgia Fox, charity co-ordinator Moyosola Fujamade and media co-ordinator Heather Webb.

WOMAC aims to raise a total of £15,000 for its two charities for 2022 – Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Maggie’s. Both provide care and support for those going through a cancer diagnosis. Funds raised will go towards expert advice, counselling services, patient grants and research projects.

Everyone agreed it was good to have the SGMW Karting GP back on the calendar and are looking forward to getting back on track again next year.

Find out more about WOMAC’s sterling work by visiting www.womac.co.uk

Thank you to Richard Parsons (www.richard-parsons.com) and Sims Images for all the pictures.

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