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  4. I drove BMW's $96,000 Tesla rival. Take a full tour of the luxurious — and polarizing — iX SUV.

I drove BMW's $96,000 Tesla rival. Take a full tour of the luxurious and polarizing — iX SUV.

I drove BMW's $96,000 Tesla rival. Take a full tour of the luxurious — and polarizing — iX SUV.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.Tim Levin/Insider
  • I drove the 2022 BMW iX, the brand's first electric SUV for the US market.
  • The Tesla Model X rival is striking, ridiculously quick, and supremely comfy.

Believe it or not, scrappy Tesla has shot past BMW and Mercedes-Benz to become the best-selling luxury car brand in the US.

Believe it or not, scrappy Tesla has shot past BMW and Mercedes-Benz to become the best-selling luxury car brand in the US.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

But the German brands are clapping back to claim what's theirs: The driveways of America's dentists, doctors, and finance bros.

But the German brands are clapping back to claim what
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

To that end, BMW recently unleashed the iX, a big, luxurious family-hauler that serves as its first all-electric SUV for US customers.

To that end, BMW recently unleashed the iX, a big, luxurious family-hauler that serves as its first all-electric SUV for US customers.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

I got to drive the new model and am here to give you a full tour.

I got to drive the new model and am here to give you a full tour.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

From the outside, the iX is definitely a head-turner. Whether that's for good or bad reasons is for you to decide.

From the outside, the iX is definitely a head-turner. Whether that
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The iX has caught heat for its divisive, beaver-tooth grille. But chuck all the insults you want at it — it's made of a plastic that heals itself of any nicks and scratches.

The iX has caught heat for its divisive, beaver-tooth grille. But chuck all the insults you want at it — it
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

While I wouldn't say the iX is conventionally attractive, it definitely has a presence and a drama to it that makes it hard to look away from.

While I wouldn
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Like a lot of EVs these days, the iX gets slim, futuristic LED lights in front and in back.

Like a lot of EVs these days, the iX gets slim, futuristic LED lights in front and in back.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

In place of standard door handles, you get sleek slots with a button inside.

In place of standard door handles, you get sleek slots with a button inside.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

From snout to tail, it's almost exactly as big as BMW's gas-powered X5 SUV.

From snout to tail, it
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The nicely optioned iX xDrive50 model that BMW lent me came out to $96,000. A base 2023 model will run you around $84,000.

The nicely optioned iX xDrive50 model that BMW lent me came out to $96,000. A base 2023 model will run you around $84,000.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

It came with glitzy, gold-colored accents scattered across the exterior and interior.

It came with glitzy, gold-colored accents scattered across the exterior and interior.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The iX dazzles when on the move, too.

The iX dazzles when on the move, too.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

It glides smoothly down the road, absorbing bumps and potholes.

It glides smoothly down the road, absorbing bumps and potholes.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

It's also remarkably quiet inside.

It
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

All you hear is the tires hitting the pavement and the Hans Zimmer-composed driving sounds pumped into the cabin.

All you hear is the tires hitting the pavement and the Hans Zimmer-composed driving sounds pumped into the cabin.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

And it's shockingly quick. Hit the accelerator a bit too eagerly and the iX bursts forward with a startling amount of force — especially for a 6,000-pound SUV.

And it
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The all-wheel-drive SUV has 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque.

The all-wheel-drive SUV has 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

It claims to hit 60 mph in a little over four seconds.

It claims to hit 60 mph in a little over four seconds.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

There's also a high-performance version for sale, but I don't see why anyone would need it.

There
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

A range rating of up to 324 miles from the Environmental Protection Agency puts it near the top of the market and in the same league as Tesla's Model X.

A range rating of up to 324 miles from the Environmental Protection Agency puts it near the top of the market and in the same league as Tesla
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The real star of the iX is its interior, a lavish lounge that feels incredibly refined and pleasant to spend time in.

The real star of the iX is its interior, a lavish lounge that feels incredibly refined and pleasant to spend time in.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

My test car came with a massaging driver's seat and copious amounts of leather.

My test car came with a massaging driver
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Everything from the various knobs to the turn signals felt sturdy and high-end to the touch.

Everything from the various knobs to the turn signals felt sturdy and high-end to the touch.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The seat controls on the door were the same metallic gold seen elsewhere in the vehicle.

The seat controls on the door were the same metallic gold seen elsewhere in the vehicle.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

There's a substantial and satisfying-to-use glass dial that controls the infotainment system.

There
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

And there are lots of other nice touches that set the iX apart from your standard e-SUV.

And there are lots of other nice touches that set the iX apart from your standard e-SUV.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive60.      Tim Levin/Insider

The digital instrument cluster and main touchscreen both lie on a single panel that's stylishly suspended above the dashboard.

The digital instrument cluster and main touchscreen both lie on a single panel that
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The iX's glass roof goes from transparent to opaque at the press of a button, perfect for extra sunny days.

The iX
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

A thoughtful slot at the end of the center console perfectly fits a smartphone.

A thoughtful slot at the end of the center console perfectly fits a smartphone.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

A hexagonal steering wheel makes little sense from a usability standpoint, but it is a quirky break from the norm.

A hexagonal steering wheel makes little sense from a usability standpoint, but it is a quirky break from the norm.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

If you can get past the iX's off-beat looks and appreciate its stunning interior and performance, the SUV is an awesome electric option.

If you can get past the iX
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

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