BMW iX review: New £70k SUV is a green one – if such a thing is possible

GREENER motoring could be simple: Buy a smaller car and drive it less.

But even as the floodwaters rise and the wildfires rage, most people still want a honking great SUV.

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It’s also the most profitable car for manufacturers.

So the new BMW iX is a honking great SUV, starting at £70k. But if such a thing is possible, it’s a green one.

Its lifetime carbon footprint is about half that of a BMW X5.

That even accounts for making its battery.

So says an audit by serious lab-coated technicians at TUV.

German technicians, mind, so you can rely on their maths.

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This isn’t just a petrol BMW that’s had a battery transplant. It’s entirely different, top to bottom.

If you were expecting some sort of cuddly-wuddly tree-huggers’ special, just look at the photos.

This is a face that knows people hate it. And tells them to get used to it.

Inside, the iX tosses away BMW’s usual snug cockpit in favour of open-feeling, lounge-like furniture.

Glass switches and gold-bronze brushed metal highlights give it a boutique feel.

Optional trim wraps the dash in blue fake-suede and the seats with denim-like upholstery. All very hipster.

But you just know everyone will bottle out on the configurator and tick the black leather instead.

Whatevs, it’s hugely roomy and comfortable.

Which sets the tone for the drive.

All four wheels get powerful electric motivation, and it corners level and true.

So you can silently whizz along at a sick-making rate.

But after a couple of squirts to remind yourself you’ve bought a vehicle with fairground-ride acceleration, you’ll calm down.

This is no sports car. It’s big and heavy.

The driving experience is pretty numb.

So go with the flow. Enjoy the silence and smoothness. Relax.

But how can you relax if you’ve got range anxiety?

You probably won’t have.

The version tested has an official range of 374 miles.

My driving shows 325 is doable without the aircon-off hypermiling tricks of the official test.

After that distance, you’ll be wanting a pee and a bite to eat.

If you stop where there’s a super-rapid charger, you can get the battery back to 80 per cent in just over half an hour.

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Of course, usually you’ll have charged overnight at home. #

And you don’t have to queue for that.

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