BMW iX xDrive50 beats its EPA range by 100km in real life test

Edmunds performed its real life test on a BMW iX xDrive50 after they did the same to the BMW i4. The i4 impressed with its range and beat its EPA estimate and now the iX is following in its footsteps.

BMW iX, unlike the i4, is a purpose built electric car and the efficiency of the drivetrain was part of its design - not an afterthought. What the two have in common are the brushed current-excited AC synchronous motors. The main selling point for those is that they don’t use any rare earth metals - there are no permanent magnets inside. This clever solution means no political issues and no supply chain delays.

The magnetic field inside those motors is created by DC current from the batteries, the idea is not new and in fact Tesla uses it in its asynchronous induction motors. The difference is that the BMW’s motors are much smaller and offer much greater power density, they offer better efficiency and more precise operation at lower speed. That’s simply an advantage of time, BMW took a lot of it to develop its product.

Onto the test. BMW iX xDrive50 comes with 516 horsepower, 564 lb-ft of torque and a 106.3 kWh battery. The test car came with optional 22” wheels and its EPA stands at 315 miles. Every car tested by Edmunds follows the same route until it runs out of battery. The area where the test is performed has very constant weather providing ideal conditions for real life range testing.

The car had most of the extra options included and it was weighed before the test - the result was 5,707 pounds - that’s 2.58 metric tons. The 22” wheels were wrapped in 275/40 tires and with all that the EPA consumption estimate was 39 kWh/100 miles. How did the car do?

After all day of driving the car eventually ran out of charge at 377 miles - that’s nearly 607 km. The consumption rate ended up being a staggering 32 kWh/100 miles which is 3 kWh/100 miles better than the Tesla Model X managed. It bested its EPA estimate by nearly 20% and it even beat the BMW i4 in the process.

Edmunds looks at the real life costs of driving the EV as well and in this test they have calculated that it would have cost the owner $50.67 to cover the 377 miles if they were in Hawaii. Moving to Idaho, where the electricity is the cheapest, would mean paying $12.06 to cover the same distance. $12 to cover 377 miles in utmost comfort and silence.

Gasoline equivalent BMW X5 M50i would have covered the same distance for $126.92 in Hawaii and $117.29 in Idaho. Regardless of whether we want the iX xDrive50, we all should move to Idaho - clearly. Driving the electric SUV in Idaho over 10,000 miles a year will save you $2,727 every year, if you live in Idaho of course. Living in Hawaii comes at a price and the savings come down to $1,754. And the purchase price difference? The iX is $400 more expensive.

You can have a closer look at Edmunds leaderboard using the link below, you’ll find the BMW iX ended up taking 4th spot overall. We have a full review of the BMW iX M60 if you want to know more about the car.

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