What is the AAA Car Guide?
The AAA Car Guide helps consumers navigate the evolving automotive marketplace by ranking and rating the newest vehicles, including EVs. The Guide provides consumers with reviews, based on testing by AAA Engineers, highlighting how many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are included in the vehicle, along with other criteria and information.
BMW iX xDrive50
Category Ranking : 1
Score : 121.48
Vehicle Type | Base Price | Price As Tested | Midsize SUV Electric | $87,100 | $101,495 |
|---|
Overall Observations
BMW introduced its first all-electric SUV, the midsize iX, in 2022. The xDrive50 is this year’s overall winner, reprising its win in the 2023 AAA Car Guide.
Powered by dual electric motors (516 hp total), the iX boasts impressive power and acceleration; a solid range of 307 miles ensures that extended trips will be range anxiety–free. The iX drives and handles well: The steering provides ample feedback, and the suspension balances a comfortable ride with responsive, sporty handling. AWD is standard.
Inside, the iX offers a roomy, luxurious, tech-focused cabin with standard features such as quad-zone climate control, a curved display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 14.9-inch infotainment touch screen, and a panoramic, electronically controlled sunroof. A full set of standard advanced safety features is provided.
The iX’s relatively few negatives likely won’t be deal breakers for potential buyers. For example, the iX is pretty pricey—but it’s a BMW, so that’s no surprise. In addition, the infotainment system favors potentially distracting touch-screen inputs over traditional knobs and buttons.
But we think that most prospective buyers will focus on what we said in our 2023 Guide: The iX “delivers dramatic styling, performance, comfort, and technological sophistication in spades.” We stand by that assessment
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
-
Model year tested:
2024 -
Number of passengers (F/R)
2/3 -
Curb weight (lbs):
5,659 -
Exterior L / W / H (in):
195.0/77.4/67.7 -
Wheelbase (in):
118.1 -
Number of airbags:
10 -
Warranty (month/miles) :
48/50,000 -
Tire manufacturer and model :
Pirelli P Zero -
Front and rear tire size :
255/50 R21 -
Max towing capacity (lbs) :
5,512 -
Headlight type:
LED -
Transmission type:
Auto 1-speed -
Drivetrain type:
All wheel -
Engine/motor:
Dual electric motors -
Electric motor horsepower:
516
FUEL INFORMATION
PROS
- Abundant power and low-end torque
- Impressive range
- Comfortable ride
- Responsive steering and handling
CONS
- MSRP climbs quickly with added options
- Distracting touch screen–based controls
- Awkward, nonadjustable rear-seating position
AAA’s Recommendation: Whether you own an electric vehicle or a gas-powered car is up to you – and you should consider lots of factors in making that choice. No matter what type of vehicle you’re choosing, we recommend visiting a dealership, test driving one, and asking as many questions as possible to make an informed decision.
