2023 BMW iX M60 First Drive Review: Great Car, but What’s the Advantage?

At $106,095 (which include $995 for place), the new BMW iX M60 is $21,900 additional high-priced than the regular iX xDrive50. That excess cash gets you far more electric power, a stiffer suspension and a extended listing of regular tools. Appears superior in principle. But is it value it? Sadly, no.

The M60 shares the identical simple architecture and drivetrain as the iX xDrive50. Underneath its light-weight composite space frame is a 111.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, of which 106.3 kWh is in fact usable. A pair of electric motors distribute electrical power to every single axle, and put together, the iX M60 creates 532 horsepower and 749 pound-feet of torque, though 811 lb-ft is obtainable for short bursts through challenging launches. BMW estimates the iX M60 will accelerate to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is quite darn swift for an X5-sized SUV weighing 5,769 lbs.

For perspective, the iX xDrive50 provides 516 hp and 564 lb-ft, and can hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. There’s an .8-2nd gap among those two -to-60 periods, but imagine about it: All EVs come to feel brief. The thrill of immediate electrical torque helps make launching an electric powered car or truck remarkable no subject how considerably energy is on tap. The iX M60 just isn’t so considerably more rapidly than the xDrive50 that it radically modifications the total working experience. And that’s genuine for both off-the-line and at-speed acceleration.

The tradeoff for that excess ability is lessened selection. The EPA says a 2023 iX M60 with its base 21-inch wheels can journey 288 miles for each charge, although a 2022 iX xDrive50 with 21s will do 305 miles. Also, you can get the xDrive50 with even scaled-down 20-inch wheels, resulting in an EPA-approximated 324-mile range. Of course, the jumps among these figures most likely would not make far too significantly of a difference in the real planet, primarily if you have a Degree 2 charger installed at dwelling. Do not forget, the iX is also able of 195-kW DC quick charging, which allows you to just take benefit of the most strong Amount 3 stations.

BMW says the iX M60 has a stiffer suspension tune than the xDrive50, but without having driving the two electrical SUVs again to again, I cannot say I see a variation. The iX M60 feels just like the iX xDrive50 I analyzed in Germany last fall. And while you may be ready to recognize the variations through really hard driving, which is not actually a authentic use circumstance for a big electric SUV.

But that is not a dig against the iX M60. On German highways and cobbled town streets alike, the M60’s standard dual-axle air suspension admirably soaks up street blemishes whilst providing a stable, composed journey. Even on its biggest 22-inch wheels, the iX is particularly comfortable, with weighty steering (the squircle wheel is odd) and extremely very little entire body roll in corners. The M60 is good to travel — just like the xDrive50.

The M60’s other distinguishing characteristics are either cosmetic or have to do with choices and packaging. You’ll notice M logos on the blue-painted brake calipers, as nicely as prolonged use of the really amazing bronze trim. The aforementioned 22-inch wheels have a M60-precise design and style, and the black M badges on the body are killer.

For the reason that it is the major-tier model, the M60 arrives conventional with all the iX’s finest goodies. Rear-axle steering, park length management, adaptive cruise regulate, a encompass-check out digital camera, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo, power liftgate and heated everything only scratch the area of the M60’s spec sheet. Moreover, you get all of the cool technologies that debuted on the iX xDrive50, like adaptive regenerative braking that modifications primarily based on traffic and GPS information and those futuristic driving sounds composed by Hans Zimmer.

Speaking of GPS details, onboard navigation is common, aspect of BMW’s newest iDrive 8 infotainment suite. It truly is all housed on a curved exhibit that incorporates a 14.9-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch central touchscreen. iDrive 8 seems a bit difficult at first — the house/menu display screen has a ton of small tiles — but it really is easy to perform as a result of with just a little bit of apply. Organic speech voice instructions are accessed as a result of the common “Hey, BMW” wake-up command, and the company’s gesture controls proceed to be as aggravating and worthless as ever.

But totally loaded as it is, the iX M60 has a evident omission. You won’t be able to buy a person with the fantastic microfiber and wool upholstery that’s available on the iX xDrive50 all M60s come with leather or leatherette. This might not feel like a huge deal to you, but I won’t be able to think about having an iX with out this supremely comfy environmentally friendly-ish/blue-ish/gray-ish fabric. In a cabin that is so mild, airy and style-ahead, with neat particulars like backlit open-pore wooden and glass controls, this exclusive therapy truly ties the room together.

Pedantic interior design and style choices aside, there merely aren’t more than enough rewards to warrant the soar to an iX M60. You will find certainly a precedent for this kind of factor between luxurious SUVs, while: The BMW X5 M costs $23,300 much more than the V8-run X5 M50i, and guess which just one is the greater all-close to invest in.

Have to have a lot more evidence? Load up an iX xDrive50 with the activity exterior styling, 21-inch wheels, microfiber/wool interior and literally each individual option, and you might be wanting at $101,620 which includes location. At that place, all you might be getting for the remaining $4,475 is far more power and fewer assortment. Does that appear worth it to you?

Editors’ notice: Travel fees associated to this tale were being covered by the maker, which is prevalent in the auto field. The judgments and thoughts of CNET’s staff members are our individual and we do not take compensated editorial information.