The 2022 BMW iX Offers Electric Capabilities with BMW Quality

Many BMW enthusiasts have been patiently waiting for the new flagship electric SUV, the 2022 BMW iX. The midsize SUV will be the company's first electric car built from the ground up and is expected to give the Tesla Model X some real competition. The iX is chic, fast, and also handles quite well for a 5,530-pound SUV.

One of the most eye-striking details of the new iX is the modern upright grille design that stares right back at you. The BMW iX is a cutting-edge SUV that showcases the future technology that might change how we think of cars in general. The all-wheel-drive xDrive50 variant is powered by a pair of electric motors that deliver up to 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque.

Best Features

Other than an appealing exterior design, the new 2022 BMW iX is also fitted with a wide range of class-leading technologies that set the SUV apart from its existing counterparts. The vehicle focuses on personalization and connectivity and comes with built-in 5G technology.

The auto-manufacturer believes that the car will achieve level 3 automated driving functionality in the medium term, thanks to the new software and sensors. 5G connectivity will be crucial in the future of "driverless" technology, as the cars will transfer massive amounts of data from the vehicles to the internet cloud and back. The iX will be able to process data at 20 times the rate of the other existing models. Additionally, your vehicle will also receive over-the-air software upgrades that will allow you to upgrade your iX in the future.

The SUV also includes an enhanced navigation system that features augmented reality video, which takes the camera feed from the vehicle's front and overlays direction on it as you drive.

The Important Specs

The top-of-the-line BMW iX comes with a sizable 106.3-kWh battery pack to deliver around 3000 miles of range per charge. DC fast charging will be standard on all variants of the iX, charging the SUV from 10% to 80% in just a mere 35 minutes when hooked up to a 200 kW connection. The automaker has had the foresight to partner with EVgo. They are America's prominent and widespread EV fast-charge network. This means that the iX has a network of high-powered charging stations. However, the vehicle will still be compatible with other popular networks and Level 2 home charging systems.

The 5-seater SUV is also fitted with an all-new top-of-the-range infotainment system known as the iDrive8. The next-gen infotainment system's software allows you to customize menus, graphics and the voice-activated assistant. The infotainment system features a 14.9-inch touchscreen display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to give the savvy SUC a tech-forward dashboard design. It also comes fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a premium Harman/Kardon audio system with 18-speakers. If you enjoy blasting your playlist on your everyday commute, you can also opt for the available Bowers & Wilkins setup option with ups the speaker count to 30.

The high-end electric SUV's interiors are graced with a wide range of premium quality materials that give the iX an appealing futuristic aesthetic. It has an open-pore walnut finish with an authentic wood texture that is not only appealing to the eyes but also very functional in allowing a haptic selection of the core menu items – it is also gracefully illuminated at night.

The Direct Competition

Although BMW is new to the all-electric car market, it still raises a whole lot of eyebrows. Even though BMW has solidified its position as one of the most reputed automakers in history, it is still a foreign entity in the electric vehicle market. However, with the 2022 BMW iX as its debut model, the company can confidently compete with some of the heavyweights in the electric market, including the Tesla Model X.

Although Tesla has had more experience in the industry, the iX has a transparent edge on the Model X in quality. According to this year's JD Power's Vehicle Dependability Survey, BMW's new SUV sits in the top 10, whereas Tesla sits amongst the bottom 33 brands. On the other hand, Tesla was rated highly in the Power APEAL survey as one of the most appealing vehicles, while the German automaker BMW was rated 4th amongst 11 premium brands.