While we lament EVs for not having soul – void of any (mechanical) sound, vibration and engineering intricacy – there is one thing we cannot fault them for, how effectively they pin you to the seat whilst they accelerate into the distance.

And it’s as easy as mashing your foot down and holding on, at least in the case of the 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 Sport (iX 50) – which delivered a 4.58 seconds 0-100 km/h time (faster than even claimed by BMW) on its first attempt – on a dusty road no less.

Acceleration is so fundamental to the exhilaration of owning an EV – which is no bad thing – but, you don’t live in a Fast and Furious movie set, ready to “live your life a quarter mile at a time” every day. So why would you need the iX 50 over the already fast iX 40? Superfluous, or is there more to it? Let’s find out.

Overview

Launched in January 2023, the BMW iX xDrive50 is the third variant of the iX SUV to be launched in Malaysia, which sits atop the BMW xDrive40 and xDrive40 Sport variants, and below the range-topping BMW iX M60 (launched August 2023).

Also read: More powerful BMW iX now in Malaysia, xDrive50 for RM 546k, 523 PS/765 Nm, 630 km range

This is how the BWM iX range in Malaysia shapes up now:

• iX xDrive40: RM 403,800
• iX xDrive40 Sport: RM 447,800
• iX xDrive50 Sport: RM 546,800
• iX M60: RM 630,800

So, as its name suggests, the iX xDrive50 Sport (iX 50) adds even more power than the 326 PS/630 Nm ‘40’ series models: power output in the iX 50 stands at 523 PS and maximum torque of 765 Nm. The iX M60 on the other hand delivers a whopping 619 PS and 1,015 Nm of torque.

Also read: Priced from RM 630k, BMW iX M60 launched in Malaysia; EV with 619 PS/1,100 Nm, 561 km range

The iX 50 also gets a bigger battery, at 111.5 kWh (109.4 kWh usable) battery, versus the iX 40’s 74.1 kWh (usable), which allows for a range of up to 630 km (WLTP) per charge. The iX 50 (and M60) can also charge faster at 195 kW (DC charging) versus 150 kW in the iX 40.

However, spec-wise, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport practically mirrors the xDrive40 Sport. It wears the same bodykit and 22-inch BMW Individual wheels – albeit with a multicolour finish – and gets the same striking blue brake calipers.

Inside, it’s also pretty much the same BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a curved 12.3-inch instrument display and 14.9-inch central display fitted, wireless charging and Harman Kardon surround sound system replete with the BMW Iconic Sounds Electric developed by the famed Hans Zimmer.

Thus the iX 50 looks pretty much identical to the approximately RM 100k cheaper iX 40 Sport variant but crucially is the variant that offers the furthest driving range within the iX lineup.

Exterior and interior - Has it aged rather well?

Now we’re well aware of the puns about its blocky styling and fake ‘beaver tooth’ grille, but to be honest, the BWM iX doesn’t look so bad anymore, in the flesh at least. Perhaps it’s aged well or maybe in a sea of newer EVs that all sort of look the same – the iX 50 seems a bit more unique now.

One thing is for sure, given its size and macho stance, the iX 50 is imposing from any angle, especially when finished in this sublime Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic colour. Props too that it’s one of the few SUVs that offers sleek frameless doors for that extra touch of style.

On the inside, it’s pretty much the same fare as the iX 40, given it was the iX that introduced the current BMW dashboard architecture – everything is familiar, well-placed and easily controlled.

Courtesy of the BMW Operating System 8, the main touchscreen works like pretty much a smartphone, which negates the need for pretty much any button on the dashboard. Of course, this can be a hit or miss depending on who you ask, but crucially, the climate controls are always visible for quick adjustments.

Elsewhere the cabin is spacious, quiet, beautifully accommodating and given its battery sits low without a central tunnel; legroom is vast both at the front and rear. Featured here is the Mocha leather interior from the BMW Interior Design Atelier catalogue which delivers a warm and elegant ambience, more so than the black in my opinion.

I have two main gripes with the cabin, firstly the steering wheel which is oddly shaped and feels a bit too thin to grip (especially at the 9-and-3 position), unlike most other BMW steering wheels, and finally are the controls for the seat lumbar support, which are hidden within a sub-menu making it unnecessarily tedious to adjust at times, especially if you’re driving.

Driving experience - Calibrated and measured everywhere

In much the same vein as the iX 40, the iX 50 is an exercise of precise and sublime calibration. Since it’s a BMW, this perhaps comes as no surprise.

Also read: Review: BMW iX xDrive40 Sport - Brilliant to drive, shame about the looks

Within minutes behind the wheel, everything starts to feel second nature. The throttle modulation is superb, and every inch of pedal movement delivers a commensurate amount of power, the same goes for the brakes – such that you feel you’re driving a normal internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

However, once you push down harder on the go-pedal, one thing becomes quickly obvious – except for perhaps a BMW ‘M’ SUV, nothing accelerates this quickly. This two-tonne Teuton blitzes the 100 km/h barrier with a best time of 4.55 seconds, and before you know it, you're doing 140 km/h; the iX will keep huffing and puffing its way to about 175 km/h, where power starts to taper off. 

The iX 50 is poised on pretty much any type of road, and given the brakes, steering and body all move in almost unison, it is a car you build confidence with very quickly.

On the daily grind, the iX 50 is comfortable, the suspension is pliant and very composed. It hardly gets perturbed by small ruts and irregularities on the road and handles larger bumps with aplomb.

However, given its heft, there is no defeating physics once you start to push it harder, once the weight piles onto one side of the car, the body will start to bob and heave.

With that said, the iX 50 rarely gets unsettled and always delivers a reassuring sense of control even when pushed on a twisty and challenging road. 

Energy Consumption - Eats up the miles but it likes juice

With a 109.4 kWh (usable) battery underneath, the iX 50 offers one of the biggest batteries of any EV on sale currently and claims a max range of up to 630 km.

On our typical energy consumption test, starting with 80 percent SOC, the iX covered 101.7 km with a general 50/50 split between highway and inner-city travel. It subsequently required 27.69 kWh to recharge to 80 percent SOC, delivering an average energy efficiency of 27.22 kWh/100 km.

Also read: BMW: The future needs more than one leg to stand on - 1/3 global sales to be EVs, hydrogen FCEV after 2025

So whilst it's got oodles more power, the iX 50 is also a bit thirsty. However, in its defence, the iX 50 was driven through torrential rain for about 25 percent of the test distance which undoubtedly hampered its efficiency.

That said, the iX 50's energy consumption is still a bit higher than the iX 40 Sport which delivered just under 19 kWh/100km in a previous test. All said and done, we can still assume that the iX 50 will cover approximately 500 km for a full charge given the size of its battery.

Conclusion

Despite only being around for about 2 years - it seems the BMW iX is already somewhat of a veteran within the EV segment; plus you can pretty much spot one every day. For good reason, the BMW iX is an absolute joy to drive and given its size and brilliant design - it's also practical and offers brilliant utility for the whole family.

However, buying an iX 50 over a BMW iX 40 Sport is a bit of a conundrum, because of how brilliant the latter already is. The iX 50 costs RM 100k more and essentially looks the same as an iX 40 Sport both inside and out, taking away a big selling point from the iX 50.

Also read: Is it true that EV sales are slowing? BMW didn't get the memo: Q3 2023 profit is up despite selling less cars

Of course, one could argue that the iX 50 charges faster and has the farthest range of any BMW iX - this is a proper deal clincher - but given its 'just okay' efficiency numbers and a real-world range of just approximately 500 km, perhaps it's not strong enough a reason to put up another RM 100k.

Also, from what we know, current BMW iX 40 owners rarely complain about range anyway.

This leaves us with one crucial argument: if you're the type of driver who enjoys spanking genuine sportscars in traffic light drag races whilst on your way to a corporate brunch meeting - then the iX 50 might just be the perfect EV SUV for you.