Tour the luxurious, leather-filled interior of BMW's $96,000 electric SUV, the iX

Tim LevinJun 3, 2022, 00:51 IST

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

The 2022 iX is BMW's first electric SUV for US buyers.
Its stunning, luxurious interior more than makes up for its slightly offbeat looks.

BMW's first electric SUV for US buyers is here. And it looks ... let's say ... controversial.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

OK. Some might say the iX is just plain ugly — mainly that giant beaver-tooth grille.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

But the real star of the iX is its magnificent, luxurious interior. Take a peek inside.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

The iX starts at $83,000, but the model BMW loaned me came out to around $96,000.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

My tester had supple, patterned, leather seats that were both ventilated and heated.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Press a button by the window, and you can adjust the driver's lumbar support or choose from a handful of massage settings.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

The seats are plush and supportive, and everything in the iX's cabin feels luxurious and high quality.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Practically everything is covered in beautiful leather, from the door panels ...

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

... to the center storage cubby.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

My iX had gold accents sprinkled throughout its cabin. It's just enough to feel classy, but not gaudy.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

On the center console you'll find the iX's gear selector along with other key buttons and functions.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

You can use this glass dial to navigate the touchscreen above.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Nearby there's a handy spot for propping up a smartphone. More cars should have this.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

All the iX's switches and knobs feel sturdy and endlessly satisfying to play around with. You should expect as much from an SUV that costs nearly $100,000.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Something else to expect in the iX: buttons in place of a regular door handles. Press it and the SUV's door pops open.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Cupholders, USB-C ports, and a wireless charging pad are located under the center armrest. It isn't the most convenient place to stash your coffee, but it works.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

A curved panel floating above the dashboard houses two screens: one that replaces regular gauges and one for the infotainment functions.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Both screens are bright and crisp, and the touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

The iX proves electric cars don't need a TV-sized touchscreen to feel modern and technologically advanced.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

My tester also came with techy extras like a head-up display that shows one's speed and cruise control settings.

The 2022 BMW iX.BMW

The iX's back seat is a nice place to be, too. It's comfy and offers vast amounts of legroom, even for tall people.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

Back seat passengers get their own climate vents and controls — so no fighting over the A/C.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

They also get handy USB-C ports for charging devices.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

A glass roof makes the iX feel even more spacious.

The 2022 BMW iX.BMW

It frosts over at the press of a button to reduce glare on sunny days.

The 2022 BMW iX.BMW

Sure, the iX can comfortably fit a bunch of people, but what about their stuff? The iX has more cargo space than BMW's gas-powered X5 SUV.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

And it offers bonus cargo room below the trunk's floor.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

If I had to change anything in the iX, I'd add in some adjustable headrests instead of the permanently angled ones included. I'd also ditch the hexagonal steering wheel for a circular one.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

If I had to change anything in the iX, I'd add in some adjustable headrests instead of the permanently angled ones included. I'd also ditch the hexagonal steering wheel for a circular one.

Aside from that, spending time in the BMW iX is an absolute dream.

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider

I tried the biggest burgers at 5 fast-food chains and my favorite tasted fresh off the grill

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Tour the luxurious, leather-filled interior of BMW's $96,000 electric SUV, the iX

BMW's first electric SUV for US buyers is here. And it looks ... let's say ... controversial.

OK. Some might say the iX is just plain ugly — mainly that giant beaver-tooth grille.

But the real star of the iX is its magnificent, luxurious interior. Take a peek inside.

The iX starts at $83,000, but the model BMW loaned me came out to around $96,000.

My tester had supple, patterned, leather seats that were both ventilated and heated.

Press a button by the window, and you can adjust the driver's lumbar support or choose from a handful of massage settings.

The seats are plush and supportive, and everything in the iX's cabin feels luxurious and high quality.

Practically everything is covered in beautiful leather, from the door panels ...

... to the center storage cubby.

My iX had gold accents sprinkled throughout its cabin. It's just enough to feel classy, but not gaudy.

On the center console you'll find the iX's gear selector along with other key buttons and functions.

You can use this glass dial to navigate the touchscreen above.

Nearby there's a handy spot for propping up a smartphone. More cars should have this.

All the iX's switches and knobs feel sturdy and endlessly satisfying to play around with. You should expect as much from an SUV that costs nearly $100,000.

Something else to expect in the iX: buttons in place of a regular door handles. Press it and the SUV's door pops open.

Cupholders, USB-C ports, and a wireless charging pad are located under the center armrest. It isn't the most convenient place to stash your coffee, but it works.

A curved panel floating above the dashboard houses two screens: one that replaces regular gauges and one for the infotainment functions.

Both screens are bright and crisp, and the touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate.

The iX proves electric cars don't need a TV-sized touchscreen to feel modern and technologically advanced.

My tester also came with techy extras like a head-up display that shows one's speed and cruise control settings.

The iX's back seat is a nice place to be, too. It's comfy and offers vast amounts of legroom, even for tall people.

Back seat passengers get their own climate vents and controls — so no fighting over the A/C.

They also get handy USB-C ports for charging devices.

A glass roof makes the iX feel even more spacious.

It frosts over at the press of a button to reduce glare on sunny days.

Sure, the iX can comfortably fit a bunch of people, but what about their stuff? The iX has more cargo space than BMW's gas-powered X5 SUV.

And it offers bonus cargo room below the trunk's floor.

If I had to change anything in the iX, I'd add in some adjustable headrests instead of the permanently angled ones included. I'd also ditch the hexagonal steering wheel for a circular one.

Aside from that, spending time in the BMW iX is an absolute dream.