A couple of months after our review of the 2022 BMW iX xDrive 50, we get to say "Same again, but faster."
BMW is a performance brand, so even the slowest iX electric comes with 516 horsepower and can get to 60 miles an hour from a standing start in 4.4 seconds.
When BMW puts the "M" badge on a car, stuff's getting serious.
In the iX M60's case, that means 610 horsepower, 811 lb-ft of torque and 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds.
How do you say "yee-haw" in German? The deal also includes rear axle steering and air suspension (calibrated for sharper handling and a firmer ride) and M Sport brakes.
Stepping up to the M60 from the xDrive50 requires a robust bank account---the base price of $106,095 including destination is $21,900 higher. To BMW's credit, it makes a lengthy list of items standard equipment---full active safety features, 21-inch wheels, multi-functional seats, a radiant heating package and four-zone climate control, an interior camera and a terrific Bowers & Wilkins sound system among them.
That leaves relatively little in the way of extra-cost options on our car. There was $1900 for the Driving Assistance Pro Package (Active Driving Assitant Pro and Parking Assistant Professional---the smartass in me has to ask if it comes with a little red digital valet's vest), $1,150 for the Luxury Package (with glass and wood controls), $300 for BMW iBlue seatbelts, and a $175 credit for a missing lumbar control for the front passenger (vestiges of the supply chain shortage).
So, the as-tested price of the 2023 BMW iX M60 is $109,270. And because BMW went so big on standard equipment, that narrows the $21,900 gap in starting prices between it and the xDrive50 I reviewed in November to just $8,250 as equipped.
That's not nothing, but it's also a more reasonable gap, especially for the intended buyers of this luxury-performance EV SUV, making it a whole lot easier to yell...
Ja-haw ("yee-haw" in German)!
