2022 BMW iX SUV review - ugly EV or tech genius?

[@davids4696]

This is the best IX review I've seen and I've seen a lot. It is indeed incomprehensible how a ground-up BEV measuring 4.95m could have a boot like a 3 series touring. I also found the seats uncomfortable after my Volvo. And the ix 40 has 71 kw usable battery, smaller than a Tesla Y costing half as much...

[@paladin1843]

The width and length of the cargo area from the back of the second row are actually virtually the same as the X5. The sloping rear (a la the X6) reduce the overall space. If you stack your luggage to the headliner, you'll likely notice it. If not, probably not.

[@davids4696]

@@paladin1843 thanks, useful to know

[@frederickcheng351]

Where are you located that the MY costs half as much? In Canada, the iX xDrive 40 starts at $83k vs the MY’s $87k…literally a no-brainer. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@davids4696]

@@frederickcheng351 in Switzerland model Y is 62k and IX 40 about 120k with equivalent spec. Admittedly the 40 is much more of a luxury car but given poor packaging and range, the price difference is a deal breaker.

[@frederickcheng351]

@@davids4696 wow! I know prices of goods vary around the world but this is such a huge discrepancy…

[@nickporter4279]

It's a regression. The i3 is one of the best pieces of structural engineering I've seen, making full use of what you can do with an EV. Front-seat space is on par with a 5-series, and you can still fit adults in both rows with the seats moved halfway - despite being BMW's smallest modern car. It has a frunk, which many larger EVs (including this one!) lack. It's by far the lightest >100bhp EV - yet the current version can just about crack 200 miles on a good day. Similar weight to a Mini Cooper 5-door, despite being a bigger car with an electric powertrain. Wheels pushed as far as possible to the edges of the body, tiny turning circle. It doubles up the refrigerant for the powertrain cooling and climate control. It's by far the cheapest car with a carbon fibre chassis on sale. No B-pillars, frameless windows, and the most emphasis on sustainability of any mass-produced car that I'm aware of. Also an extremely modular design, not that BMW took advantage of that at all. Fast forward to today, in which the key people behind the i3 and i8 are gone from the company, and in the interim there was half a decade with what appears to have been an EV sceptic at the helm. The resultant iX seems to be a prime example of how much things have changed at BMW. On paper it has some of the i3's key traits, with the carbonfibre construction, out-there styling and a few little details like the frameless windows... but under the surface... This is a car which has *less* usable space than you'd expect, not more. It has no frunk at all, despite being enormous (I think the iX has a lot more of the CLAR combustion architecture in it than we've been made aware of - otherwise it's just flat-out bad design). The charging port lighting is a flat-out downgrade. And the weight... admittedly this is a 105 kWh luxury SUV, but Tesla's Model X manages less with similar battery capacity, 7 seats, a huge frunk, metal chassis, way more horsepower, colossal HEPA filter and the world's most complicated doors. The price is nuts, too. I don't hate the iX's styling now I've had time to get used to it, but technically it's a step backwards from what they achieved nearly a decade ago.

[@doctorbashir3497]

YESSSSSS. I had 3 of them. The i3 was awesome. Quirky but good looking. Fun. Peppy. A clear early lead, that they then blew. This iX is awful. The seats look nice though.

[@bloccoaspirale1867]

I agree, the i3 is exquisite and still ahead of its time.

[@idib1739]

Probably one of the most insightful comment on the iX i've seen so far.👍

[@SykesAJ]

Nail on the head. This thing is the size of a Range Rover… how on earth did this happen?

[@nickporter4279]

Something else I miss from the i3 is the chunky PNDR/stop/start stalk coming off the steering wheel column. It's tactile and eyes-free intuitive, which are traits that modern cars can struggle with. Also means that only the driver gets access to those controls. The iX replaces it with a PNDR slider in the centre console, and it looks like a quality piece of engineering, but again, a little bit of a downgrade, and a disappointing break with i-division history. A reminder of how little the iX has in common with its predecessor. Interesting to note that Volkswagen have paid attention and are using a slightly i3-esque PNDR knob on the ID3/4, even if BMW themselves seem to have forgotten about it. Nitpicky I guess, but it's an unusual feature that I really like on the i3. One thing they *have* kept on the iX that I'm glad about is the high level of regen. Once you've familiarised yourself with the regen's stopping distance, you can drive these cars more smoothly than anything that needs disc braking: totally linear response to your pedal inputs.

[@JackFromMorley]

I think this is brilliant. Purposefully punish SUV buyers with the most horrendous product possible in order to drive people back to more space and energy efficienct body styles. Well played BMW, well played...

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Blimey, I think you are absolutely right.

[@Zero_Ninety]

The Pontiac Aztec was ahead of its time.

[@ystebadvonschlegel3295]

Except their new sedans are equally as ugly - push them to other brands is more accurate. I’m likely buying a Lotus as my next instead of the M4 I had planned

[@mahargrekab]

Forcing them back to their ICE cars !

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

The emperors new clothes eh?

[@Strike86]

Jonny's barely contained contempt for SUVs tickles me. It's okay Jonny, let it out - you're among friends here. I can't stand the revolting things either.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

😬

[@gasdive]

I have one. I have a Sierra (Jimny) but I needed to carry more, more easily. (a hang glider and a power harness was really stretching what a kei car can do). I've got a Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door (there's a 3 door version). Mild lift, BF Goodrich A/T but otherwise stock. It gets me up logging tracks to hang glider launches. It crosses paddocks and beaches to pick up gliders. Carries 5 pilots and all their gear back up to launch for a second go on the iffy days. Plus 2 wet salty Golden Retrievers on the weekend beach trips. I couldn't really do what I do with a sedan, much as I'd like one. So I hate the size of it, but it is what it is and it is what I need.

[@hollyandtheev6519]

SUVs - cars for people who don’t like cars.

[@MasterChief37]

@@hollyandtheev6519or cars for people who have active kids.

[@glenf4115]

They reused some of the i3 tech but omitted it's charging light, frunk, interior space and sustainable materials? A decade later and the best BMW has is "I prefer the i3 cockpit, if they were to have scaled up the i3 cockpit I wouldn't have a problem with it".

[@raydoherty5419]

As a previous i3 owner I really thought BMW would be doing better than this to be honest. Still think that’s their best EV to date.

[@KokoFixed]

I'm sensing that BMW's leadership is the issue.

[@Astke]

There is an electric 3 series coming, with normal styling. relax.

[@jryalls]

The i3 and i8 were unbelievable bits of design, they started off the night looking like that and ended up looking like this.

[@craigcampbell1843]

The fact that they’re putting these huge grills on their EVs now proves they’re not needed for performance. It’s just a styling cue they should drop but are holding onto for some reason even though no one likes it.

[@Horizon301.]

It’s a bmw grille not with a slight modification - it being blocked, other than that it’s what other cars have gotten and it’s pretty popular. They look great in person

[@craigcampbell1843]

@@Horizon301. they’re not even providing more air flow than the old four piece grill design because we all know there is a crash bar running behind the middle of it that used to be covered by a bumper and not extra grill, and no. They definitely don’t look good in person. I live less than a block from the local BMW dealership and every day when I drive by them I throw up a little in my mouth.

[@Horizon301.]

@@craigcampbell1843 on this car it’s blocked off. But the design itself resembles that seen in their latest offerings. Even with the 1 series, I think the grilles look much better in person and I see the 1 series all over now when previously it was mostly the Golf, I would assume sales increased. I’ve also seen many 4 series and personally, I would say that it’s one of the best looking BMW’s out there, second probably being the 8 series. Teslas here in the south west are more common thsn fiestas so I would rather see an i4 and iX over the ugly whales cropping up all over the place. It’s the only electric cars I would genuinely consider and in many ways the design is pretty conservative, especially on the i4 for an EV.

[@craigcampbell1843]

@@Horizon301. you are the first person I’ve heard say they actually like the new larger grills. BMW claimed they were for added airflow on their high performance modes which obviously isn’t true because there’s a crash bar running through the middle of them whether it’s covered up by a bumper or not, and because now they’re putting them on vehicles that don’t even need a front grill. I actually know someone that owns one of the new big grill cars. He said it’s a great car and that he bought it in spite of the hideous front end because he can’t see it when he’s driving. Only everyone else does. And again I know exactly what they look like in person. I drive by and walk by them every day. I live a few hundred feet from the local dealership.

[@Horizon301.]

@@craigcampbell1843 most people I’ve seen admit to liking it only said it was after seeing it in person. I can’t help much if others don’t like it. As for the reasoning behind it, I didn’t know anything if what you mention but it’s obvious that a 7 series doesn’t need the biggest grille on any bmw when the G11 which is the same car has no issues. It’s obviously a design piece. We have all Audis in my family and have only ever had 2 BMW’s both if which were the 7 so I don’t think my opinion stems from that of someone loyal to that brand. Context helps so you know I’m not a die hard bmw fan 😂. In the case of the 7 though, I also like that more than the ore facelift which we had, only issue is the new ones coming out next year I assume so it’s pointless to buy. If you don’t like the new grille, ultimately you just stick to the 3 series, most people have the biggest issue with the 1 series, iX and 4. The X5, 7 and X7 grilles aren’t anywhere near as extravagant. The grilles on Audis are also getting bigger, the A6 for example has a very wide grille that’s unlike previous generations. It’s just what they have to do with their relatively short life cycles. I would rather they didn’t do it as much now as there isn’t much innovation bar making everything touch screens and making the exterior look like a slab. Case in point, every new gen VW Group product that’s being made now. Overall, I don’t think the bold design will hurt BMW, it will only increase sales, either because people like the design or because people from other brands now want the modern model as most BMW’s that only just got redesigned were still very dated with manual handbrakes and the like. It’s why I chose the A5 over the 4 series as it’s night and day.

[@nathanorchard201]

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should! Sometimes with the new electric cars the designers just seem to have a wet dream and style them to the nth degree. What will be interesting is what will actually sell! Do we actually want white interiors, illuminating logos… Great video, always enjoy the honest commentary on the cars!

[@anderslaursen5810]

Somehow manufacturers conveniently “forget” that in calculating the force the air has on a moving car, the frontal area is equally important as coefficient of drag - and the frontal area of this type of vehicle is massive…

[@FabriSlv]

Otherwise they'd all have to admit that the Citroen Ami is more aerodynamic than their fancy sport car 😉

[@peterfurness7296]

This is crazy, my model 3 SR+, has half the battery and similar range, more boot storage, a front boot, comfy seats, a practical charging network, a pleasing look from the front and costs less than half the price! BMW have been selling EVs for years this is atrocious.

[@mauriceschoenen]

But is has no beaver faux grill!

[@vonrichthofen5734]

I guess looks are subjective, but the M3 isnt a looker either. If the Porsche Panamera had a lttle down-syndrome brother, this would be it.

[@TheJAMF]

@@mauriceschoenen Can be fixed with a cheap sticker. 🤣

[@DanRyzESPUK]

You're comparing a sedán with a SUV, you're mixing apples and oranges. For actual comparisons it should be with the Model Y.

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

That's the price of driving higher (SUV) having more space internal, more luxury, very low noise level compared, M3 compared is a high speed rattle can, I drove the M3, The Model S, not yet the iX. You should compare it to the model X though and drive it side by side. Its like comparing the VW Polo GTI with a Touareg.

[@Hallo-Hallo]

Yesterday I saw a ‘new’ X5 driving behind a iX , I have to say, the X5 looked ‘20 years’ old…

[@joeyg90]

You'd spend so much time parking in such a way, so that you always approach the car from the rear and not have to look at the front. Ps. Great review as always, give me the tech / ev drivetrain in an estate and I'd be really tempted.

[@paulhearn9632]

Great review once again Jonny. Beaver Teeth grille...love it! Interesting you like the wheelarch shapes which look a bit Peugeot 207 to me? I'm afraid I have a major downer on how 95% of BMW's are driven and feel/fear this will appeal directly to those who already drive one. I find the huge amount of Tech, even for basic controls, worrying for the driver to play with when - as above - 95% of current BMW (and a huge proportion of SUV) drivers can't find the indicator stalk...or even know what it's for. Interestingly as the level of iDrive has numerically increased, Driver competance within that vehicle has gone in the opposite direction 🤷🤷 The dash bracket that holds/supports the screen on the left....🤔🤔🤣🤣. I think current BMW Design deserves a Renault Avantime, a Pontiac Aztec and would love this to be it...although with the Tax Breaks given and the ability to own/drive it through a Business means it will, no doubt, find a place...which is... probably in the wrong lane of every multi-lane road everywhere. 🤣🤣 On a different note, I would like to see every new car coming with it's Manufacturing Footprint declared and not just it's WLTP impact, which you could then share with us and we could then work out if we could ever pay it back based on our useable mileage.

[@jonboyjon1976]

Forget the iPace or the EQC, I honestly would choose an Enyaq or ID4 over this ... thing. In fact, it's borderline over the £25K MG EVs. Sorry, but this is just so ghastly and feels poorly designed.

[@Jimontherun]

I can remember when BMW made stylish cars.

[@puffytiger9439]

Great review Johnny, especially liked seeing the Allegro steering wheel - I laughed and reminisced at the same time. The tech in these flagship EVs is amazing but leaves me cold. Less is more, except for range where more is definitely more. Keep up the good work - I thought you were the hardest working person on youtube until you introduced me to the legend that is Colin Furze.

[@spotty_cat26]

Un-necessary Evolution. I like that phrase. I can see me using it often. I think it sums up pretty much every new addition to modern cars, that nobody asked for. Keyless ignition, electric handbrakes, electric folding seats, having to talk in an american accent for voice control where, as Jonny states, a button is what you want, not a (will become very greasy) bloody touch screen tv nailed to the dashboard.

[@Smidge204]

All of the sensors are conveniently located right behind the front grille plate, guaranteeing a repair will cost 10K+ when you get into even a minor love tap with a car in front of you.

[@castletown999]

Amen. I wonder how many sensors are really behind there. I have a feeling it's something they came up with as a response to comments on its ugliness. " If they don't like it, tell them the bit about the sensors".

[@17addidas]

I recently saw the ix ( in white) in the back parking lot of my local BMW dealer . I own 2017 i3REX with almost 100000 flawless Km . First impression : its huge... Quality finishes - as expected and Im not put off by its looks. This I say as driver of another styling " freak"..... Because with time , the performance and sheer fun of the driving experience will make it lovable in all aspects .

[@DSrealestate-narangba]

Looks like a Renault 5 at the rear with the tailgate up.

[@Evolve_windows]

Aperture is certainly the same shape 👍

[@modellbahn9447]

i love that they hid the outlines of a Renault 5 Turbo when you open the rear hatch.

[@neuronichangfire]

Thank you for your honest reviews. I'm perplexed by so much of BMW'S build decisions. I hope they find their space in this electric future. Bring back the BMW design brilliance directed towards the ultimate driving experience. Design that makes sense.

[@LasseThomsen]

OK, I stick my neck out here and say that I have a 2014 X5 40d sport and I test drove an iX 40 at my local dealer and I love it! Anyone that currently have an X5 will be right at home after a few minutes of driving it. Very smooth drive, and quick if you want it to be. The steering wheel is a bit odd to start with but you soon appreciate some of the angels you can hold on to on longer journeys. I don't have an X5 for the boot although it's handy to do the University removal run. I have it because I like not to be blinded because I sit a bit higher up and I can see more of the landscape when driving. The iX is a lovely car and yes I like the front too.

[@rjnation5042]

Good lord it's fugly, I agree it's got great tech but it's an incredibly comprising package, your honesty is so appreciated, Rj in Oz

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Cheers for that RJ 👍🏽

[@mattleistner313]

I quite like the appearance and the style of it! 👌 I'm sure most buyers don't care about 7 seater anyway. 😄

[@Secretlyanothername]

The only time I want seven seats is when I need to drive a table of friends home from dinner. They'll have to get an Uber instead!

[@MrGazhay]

Also... When the boot is open, it reminds me of a Renault 5 Turbo rear end.

[@donswier]

Maybe BMW will recognize the brilliance of the iconic i3 design in a few years and pay homage with a scaled-up version. I suspect the IDBuzz may actually end up being that car, but from Wolfsburg, not Munich.

[@grumpyto5]

Excellent review as always. So glad you pulled out the Allegro mk1 steering wheel. It must be galling for the BMC designers to know that they were 50 years ish ahead of the game. As for the IX front the kidney faux grill is becoming a caricature of itself can we not get back to the narrow one please BMW?

[@yohai71]

Thanks for the review, top notch as ever. Now, who else sees the rear end of a 1981 Renault 5 Turbo 2 when the boot is open?

[@BeeJay226]

Such a top journalist !!! Well .. not sure he wants to be called that.. But his views, research and presentation are i think one of if not the best of the motoring "journo's" today !

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

V kind, many thanks.

[@tayne5009]

Did I miss the range details? I heard WLTP 380miles and saw an indicated 272miles but could it do 272 miles?

[@loonymoon1]

Imagine how much space it would have if it was a bigger version of the i3 with the newer tech, I don’t get it, that boot does not look much wider than the i3’s boot when it should be WAY bigger given the size difference. Rear passenger leg room didn’t look overly massive either ( though I don’t know how far back that seat was). But then a large SUV was never going to be my cuppa anyway!

[@JohnAdams-kc8wx]

I’ve just looked up the boot size in an iX3. 510 litres, that’s 10 litres bigger !!! Shurely shome mistake…

[@paulfleming912]

People seem to like the tesla style flush door handles now. I think they need to be lit, otherwise you cant find them in the dark. I hope these more sensible handles have some inbuilt lighting.

[@XENONEZZ2]

I've watched just about every KZbin review on this car and only this one gets under the skin of what this car's about. This world is full of imperfections and despite the cost this car has them too. I think this is a complex vehicle that needs a couple of weeks or more to understand and appreciate properly. I'm waiting for the Kia EV4 to arrive which I have a hunch will provide much of what this BMW offers but probably for half the price.

[@queensberryrulez5306]

Kia😂 jesus christ, you are comparing Aldi own brand to BMWs gourmet dining there. Clutching at straws ffs. You just can’t comfortably afford a better car than that tripe, just admit it and stop trying to bash cars that are far superior.

[@martinogold]

My eyes! 👀🤢🤮

[@metricstormtrooper]

They burnnnnn

[@bas7218]

It looks a lot better in real life. Still not BMW worthy, but a lot better then the press pictures.

[@hankthetank185]

Love your rants Johnny. All rants very valid. The Model X is probably the best family EV atm.

[@graememcburnie8140]

Another great review from TLBS , I have just taken delivery of the latest BMW X3M40d which is my second version of this and the sales person that I use was raving about this new iX, he had just come back from a few days product training on it. He assures me that it will be my next car that I buy from him and has promised me a long weekend loan when they get there demo car in. Hate the looks but you don’t see it when you are driving it!.

[@paramdeepdhaliwal9694]

I used to follow u since the days of fifth gear I always watch ur video even I suggest ur show to my buddies too I m indian born canadian keep it up cheers

[@siimens]

Great review, so sorry to hear about your audio guy, I hope he gets well soon.

[@MatFinch]

A great balanced review, rather than just dismissing it entirely based on its looks. Always love how you give us the stats, focus on the details and practicalities of living with it.

[@edwarddelderfield]

The saloon and estate cars is going to make a come back when they become electrified. So much more efficient in shape and centre of gravity.

[@sholehan]

Rear wheelarch shape is ripped directly from the Mercedes W212 and S212 estate (in turn based on the old Merc 'Ponton' ! )

[@Petelmrg]

I think you’ve about nailed it on this review - echoes the same things I thought about the ‘what could have been’; enjoyed the review, thanks.

[@MarkusAJ]

Having the oppertunity to trade my Skoda Kodiaq for one of these I hoped I would like it. But my first thought was "how does this big a car have this little space?". That said it does look better in person than in pictures. It all feels a bit half hearted and uncomplete though. I usually find iDrive among the best in the business, but this version was just horrible, badly organized, lacking features, with a horrible UI. It seems like an unfinished pre-relese. I don't like the haptic feedback buttons, the screen is just a little to far away for touch. The iDrive know har a nice feel when rotating, but is not tactile at all when pushing it sideways, and you often end up rotating it at the same time. The main menu looks like a copy of hyundai. You said it well! It's made to look good in pictures (not the outside for some reason), and not to be used.

[@funkyfin3023]

Love your boots. Colour coordinated with the interior no less. Can’t believe how limited your leg room in the back was. BMW need to look at the Ioniq 5 for packaging.

[@spunkbubble1]

Find its mother and ask if she loves it’s face? Or alternatively ring Bodmin and send the beast away, far away, as far as it’s AA battery will propel it

[@antster7]

I never liked the look of the i3 but now that I own one, I love it! I'm hoping it will be the same for the IX

[@17addidas]

I recently saw the ix ( in white) in the back parking lot of my local BMW dealer . I own 2017 i3REX with almost 100000 flawless Km . First impression : its huge... Quality finishes - as expected and Im not put off by its looks. This I say as driver of another styling " freak"..... Because with time , the performance and sheer fun of the driving experience will make it lovable in all aspects .

[@nekrecart]

For some reason, I can never unsee the mile long steering column.

[@eamo106]

From Texas ! Had a few BMWs, last an X5. Loved it, hated that it broke so often, hated the Houston dealers. I need to carry stuff. Hired a Merc Blue 2.0 station wagon in the UK, loved it ! better than my X5. I guess my point is that I left the marque as I hated the dealerships, I can imagine them with this 10x more complex. I replaced my 2008 X5 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 in 2014. One water pump replaced (under warranty) by a garage of my choice since then and 80,000 care free miles. I am looking at the Rivian or Ford F150 Lightning, you can never have too much space.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you for the comment, great info. It is sad that we have forgotten how useful station wagons are. Better for aero, cornering, parking and economy.

[@AlwaysStaringSkyward]

Jonny's car reviews are the best out there, bar none!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Many thanks Matthew.

[@BenHur872]

Jonny, thanks for your review. I laughed several times at your contemptuous comments about this piece of Cheshire bling. I hope BMW don't take it too personally and take you off their Christmas card list this year.

[@starshipteddy9871]

I love gesture and voice control in my 2021 M760Li. I don't like touch screens because they're dangerous but you seem keen Johnny, chill out, BMW gives you lots of different options to suit you.

[@mikewhitehead50]

To be fair, the steering wheel does give a good view of the dials/screen. A lot of the interior looks nice and well thought out but the boot (or lack there of) is unforgiveable.

[@brucekennedy5274]

I don’t get it. 5m long and half of it is sealed bonnet. iPace (just as an example) has been around for about 3 years now, but looks 10years ahead of this breeze block.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Agree. IPace is a visual masterpiece compared to this. Imagine the IPace with this battery...

[@Dave-in-France]

Hi Jonny, great video and review as usual. A member of the family has just ordered one of these !!!! Just one observation - it sounded quite noisy - road noisy.? Just watched a review of the new Renault Megane EV and it appeared to be absolutely silent.

[@timcochrane4245]

Is it really necessary to be so ugly? BMW have really lost their way recently. And what is up with modern LED headlights? They might be fantastic for SUV drivers, but for the rest of us in low sports cars, we get blinded at every turn it’s incredibly annoying and dangerous

[@PlanetCypher_]

Wasn’t the lumber support one of those items bmw couldn’t get hold of, so didn’t fit to some cars?

[@13Pandam]

Always enjoy your reviews Jonny even when the car is absolutely not my kind of thing, I think your observations/ comparisons make the difference. I do worry that all the gizmos being added to cars these days are a dangerous distraction, apart from one. As I get older and my reactions slow I do feel that ‘Lane assist’ would be very useful when turning over a cassette.

[@robertlambert1447]

“Beaver teeth grill”. LOL Perfect analogy.

[@bossman4401]

All the reviewers seem to copy each other in saying the car is ugly. It’s a good looking car with exceptional comfort

[@ronniewilson6597]

I think the design is good, it’s just that grill up close looks cheap to me. 👍🏻😀

[@t5jerry]

"loads of legroom in the back " 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@oliverstemp9132]

I think it’s a great looking car. I’d have a white one

[@oliverstemp9132]

I am very surprised by how cramped it looks in the second row though.

[@rbdogwood]

I don't like SUVs either, but it does sound like ideal for somebody who doesn't actually do anything other than show off, pick up kids and occasional shopping. The 4 wheel drive might be nice when the road outside the playground is icy but it has few sports utilities and the low profile tyres would make getting onto pavements tricky, let alone getting over a ditch. It's a Chelsea tractor. There's a test...does it have a tow-bar?

[@stephenwouw8624]

As a Range Rover owner the BMW design as of late is just (in the words of James May) 'gopping'... utterly gopping! Having a Range Rover is merely to use as an utility. To have it, and to know you can conquer a car full of people, pets, surfboards, camping equipment, getting it off road, rock up onto the breaking waves on the beach and still be able to drive it in sheer comfort has always been the biggest selling point for Range Rovers for more than a decade. It just works! And it has been the standard many manufacturers look up to. I thought the first X5 was a decent looking car, but the design aesthetics from BMW has been decreasing ever since. I get the aggressive headlights but the bigger grill has been a sore sight to behold and the latest iteration beaver look is just hideous. Then there is the practicality, which is... all things considered more of an inconvenience than a utility compared to the Range Rover. Furthermore you want a bit of off road capabilities, I mean why bother getting a SUV anyways? And BMW isn't really good at it. Range, well in my case I can rock up on the beach with the BMW and pretty much can leave it there, there are no charging points, and if I managed to get there in the BMW, it's probably just me and the dog, because there isn't any space! I also use it to tow a jetski from time to time. How will that impact it's range? It's just a giant joke. Electrification isn't the answer to transform personal transportation vehicles from fossil fuels to something sustainable for the next 100 years. Electric cars will have its use, as do cars or trucks with combustion engines like diesel. I do understand why companies like BMW are going electric. But in 100 years mankind will look back at this time and laugh, how pathetic the reasons were to turn electric.

[@The-ghost-of-Moskva]

Checks calender, nope not April the 1st. Stylistically, it's a big challenge but I suspect the blue propellor badge is all 95% actullay see and notice. Something to challenge the Bentaga as the most gopping current production car.

[@carsmax]

There is armrest heating but take a look at the cheapest sun shields you can find except those from Trabant back in the ´80 . But I like the look . On video it is almost a wide body ! I would like it more with a propper V 8 engine !

[@PaulSmith-mn6bg]

Just my personal opinion I've always wanted an E28. I think Chris Harris had one, when you interviewed him (brown chairs)?. Or if you have to go modern/practical from BMW F11/5 series touring. I think these cars may also turn into the traffic light racers?? Today it was either a VW ID3 or 4 took off from the inside lane to me with its green striped number plate like a rocket. Couldn't tell whether it was ID3 or 4 as they look the same. I don't know maybe you might need next generation of designers to come through? Maybe the current people have designed existing ICE cars for so long? Clean sheet maybe needed??

[@mikadavies660]

Great review... Plenty of questions raised... Like many people... I don't need voice or gesture control. But I do need "space" and this big fugly block doesn't give it.

[@stephen300o6]

It looks like an suv. The grill is the only distinguishing feature. Which is why it is there.

[@Muler3627]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but.. I've actually bought one of these, and have convinced myself I like the look of them now! I will however, be tinting the beaver teeth immediately, to hopefully make it look more of a black grill and therefore draw less attention to its big nashers.

[@ArmstA79]

Is there always power to the doors Jonny? I'm thinking about how you get them open after a crash, not sure if you can have a total loss of power but I would much prefer a physical door release.

[@tyson2964]

Instagram? Nope, not inspired by that. Love unusual cars and both of us have never owned a bmw. It's when you drive this and get the direction of their future thinking that it all makes sense. In my opinion the 2 other european brands have not hit the target or just played it too safe. And there is such a shortage, we can flip it if we don't like it when it arrives in October.

[@JayeOFarrell]

It looks identical to a Renault 5 Turbo when the boot is open 😂

[@pbyfr]

After seeing the rear console, which reminds me of a 90s vacuum cleaner, the front of the car isn't that awful! "I know, let's fit a square steering wheel", I always think of Clarkson when seeing such steering wheels. Anyway, nothing will be better than the one spoke of the Citroën CX. Frameless doors on a SUV? 2000 Subaru Forester for less than 1/4 of the price. And not water infiltration after 21 years.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Good shout on the Subaru frame less doors.

[@castletown999]

You say the front end is "controversial". There is no controversy if everyone hates it.

[@DEADB33F]

Great review. Although whenever you mention a 'ground up car' (4:57, 28:51) I can only think about this thing going through one of those giant industrial car shredding machines. ....probably the best thing for it.

[@rovingenglishman]

As my engineer friend would say, a car designed by committee. Really enjoyable review, possible due to Jonny’s ‘level of comfort’

[@dangerousandy]

I like it. The awful bloody grilles they’re fitting to all new BMWs can get in the sea, but the rest of it looks spot on. Shame it doesn’t have an ICE, then it would be absolutely perfect.

[@justinharrison9521]

I imagine the current gen of BMW’s will make the aftermarket modding community very rich.

[@tubelessrim]

Another excellent review! For all it's tech and design, all I see is yet another bloody giant, overweight, resource-wasting, aggressive-looking SUV. And now that these monsters are BEVs, their owners smugly waft around in them, thinking they're saving the polar bears. The only thing that gives me hope is seeing other people commenting here that feel the same way, Thankfully I'm not the only one...

[@DrRogB]

Great review - I kept thinking " I want an i3".

[@mjaymo]

Looking forward to your reviewing the I4m50. 👍

[@davidevans4089]

An entertaining review as always Johnny, well done.

[@Bboy235]

Jonny is the best reviewer in the game

[@abraxastulammo9940]

Interesting review. But who would you put in a 7 seater? Etron is neither one (but has a froot).

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

I think the point I was making is that X5 has 7 seat option, and that if the iX designers hadn't put a big conventional bonnet there, it could have been a bigger passenger cabin.

[@sharonb.9128]

Great video. I don’t see Americans liking this SUV much either. Yes, we LOVE SUV’s but, we are a huge country with big roads and take families on long trips. The UK is roughly the size of our Oregon or Alabama. Not only do we need those “spare” tires more and more EV’s seem to leave out but the Right To Repair movement will find this particular vehicle with it’s locked hood and instructions to take it to an “authorized repair shop” anathema.

[@nathanwolf5547]

People love the higher driving position and the idea that they can go off road. However, there isn’t that much clearance underneath and the shape means drag. The internal space isn’t much better than a good estate, if at all. Even with the looks and the lack of boot space, I still want one. Why?

[@ChocolateFrog]

Totally agree on voice and gesture control. I'll never ever use it.

[@carolinebois5777]

BMW grilles could be graded by Bra Size. They used to be a pert 34B. Then they developed into 36C. Things began to get out of hand when they blossomed into 38GG. Now they're at least 48K implants. Burlesque show-inspired? At least they make you laugh out loud when they drive by - Bravissimo!

[@neillgatley8770]

The face looks familiar. The penny has just dropped. The 1960s Rover 95 has that grill. It also has i3 style suicide doors. Squint at a new 7 series in camo and it is the spiritual successor of the SD1. It's got crazy rover inspiration in its DNA. If I am right, look out for further BMW'S with a Honda drive train. If the BMW works come out on strike soon the Rover inspiration will be completed.

[@nickwatson2167]

Will bmw change the front end on all there motors to be the same as this car ?

[@Rockport1911]

Yes, every EV is an SUV but a battery pack thats atleast 20cm high needs to somewhere and SUV´s/ Crossovers have the perfect format for that. Look how little space a Porsche Taycan offers inside and they already had to take sections out of the pack for rear passengers to make that happen...

[@Y15ARG]

When you are showing the iDrive system, the amount of time you spend looking at it and not at where you are going, these systems are appalling

[@ndc5544p]

24:20 - the clock isn't quite sure if it's 12:58 already or still 12:57 o'clock

[@Zerofightervi]

How is it that Tesla manages to use the space under the bonnet to give you more luggage capacity yet BMW just gives you a washer fluid door? Why are these electric motors not situated in the enormous wheels rather than in the usual spaces where an engine or rear mounted gearbox might sit? Does anyone remember when Mitsubishi made an EV version of the Evo IX that had it's motors in the wheels? It would be interesting to know why it went no further than a prototype.

[@wyleedingo]

Jonny may be the best car reviewer.

[@noseonscent1935]

BMW is pricing themselves right out of existence. Cheerio mates. Pip Pip! Carry on, nothing to see here folks. Model Y or X anyone? Cybertruck will revolutionize the world!

[@Mr2OOM]

Mr Vert .. what is the alternative to talking to it with your voice? Just curious .. :)