The snow is lastly melting, and though the method has been inconsistent, spring is making its presence felt in upstate New York. With that, we’re keen for an additional summer time of road-tripping and exploration in our 2024 BMW iX, which has been a part of our household for almost 18 months.
Over this yr and a half, we’ve got pushed 16,523 miles throughout two winters, reaching a mean effectivity of three.0 mi/kWh. That is an enchancment over the official EPA ranking of two.9 mi/kWh, although the effectivity did drop significantly in the course of the coldest climate. Our lowest recorded effectivity was 2.3 mi/kWh when temperatures plummeted to eight levels beneath zero Fahrenheit (-17°C).
Regardless of the challenges of winter, we continued to make use of the iX, though we have encountered some adventures currently as a consequence of an unintended subject brought on by a earlier software program replace.
### ‘Time Slot Mode’
Like many electrical automobiles, the iX can start charging instantly when plugged in, and we set a most cost proportion to protect battery life long-term—ours is often set at 90%.
The iX additionally gives a scheduled charging function often known as “time slot mode,” which delays charging till a delegated time. This may be helpful with utility suppliers that provide cheaper charges for in a single day charging.
Nonetheless, we have not activated this function within the iX or the My BMW app, however our SUV retains reverting to a delayed charging begin time of 10 PM. Even after disabling it repeatedly, it returns unexpectedly, resulting in conditions the place we predict it’s charging solely to later discover out that it hasn’t began till a lot later, or by no means. This case is not superb, particularly after we want enough vary within the morning.
### Quick Circuit
This subject stunned me in January. After plugging the automotive within the evening earlier than, I woke as much as discover it barely charged, forcing me to make use of my Subaru for a visit to Vermont as a substitute of the iX. A couple of weeks later, my spouse confronted an identical dilemma when heading north to an occasion within the Adirondacks. The 320-mile spherical journey would normally require one fast charging cease, however she ended up making an emergency cease as a substitute, hurriedly charging to make sure she wouldn’t be late.
This was removed from a great situation, however it unexpectedly reaffirmed our confidence within the car. Regardless of the charging glitch, my spouse’s expertise with the iX remained optimistic.
### Silver Linings
One brilliant spot was the iX’s vary estimation. Many electrical automobiles require advanced calculations to find out if you happen to’ll attain your vacation spot, however the iX’s estimates are persistently correct, hardly ever various by quite a lot of p.c, even on lengthy drives.
My spouse remarked, “That is the one automotive I’ve pushed the place the vary prediction truly reduces my vary nervousness. If every other automotive had advised me I might arrive someplace with six p.c left, I might have been burdened the entire method.”
To get dependable vary estimates, you could use the built-in navigation system, which, I have to say, is kind of efficient. I usually use Google Maps through Android Auto for brief journeys, because it rapidly understands my vacation spot. Nonetheless, for longer journeys, I want the navigation inside iDrive, which usually offers a transparent overhead view on the central show, particulars within the gauge cluster, and augmented-reality arrows on the heads-up show. Whereas it could appear extreme, having exact navigation is essential in conditions that would result in main points, like navigating out of Newark Worldwide Airport throughout rush hour.
### Plug and Pray
One other issue that eased the potential stress of those journeys was the convenience of charging. We ought to be in an period the place Plug and Cost expertise works seamlessly, however it usually nonetheless appears like a fortunate prevalence when it does.
Thankfully, my spouse’s expertise at a charging station was clean. The iX comes with two years of complimentary 30-minute periods with Electrify America, however we’ve beforehand had hassle beginning these periods mechanically. So, I used to be a bit anxious as she pulled into an Electrify America charger in North Hudson with its 9 350 kW stalls.
To my aid, she merely plugged in, and it acknowledged the automotive, confirming her complimentary charging. “That is the best way these ought to all work,” she texted me, and I couldn’t agree extra.
That charging session hit 169 kW, near the iX’s most cost fee of 195 kW. The charging curve held regular, delivering simply over 70 kWh in 28 minutes, notably spectacular for a cold day.
### Idiot Me Twice
Regrettably, we’ve discovered to test the My BMW app to make sure charging has began if we’ve got plans for the following day. Final evening, as an example, the automotive defaulted again to time slot mode once more by itself.
We aren’t alone on this; many different iX homeowners are experiencing comparable points with this function. Nonetheless, there’s a brand new software program replace pending, so hopefully, it’ll deal with our greatest frustration with the SUV.
In the end, even irritating experiences like these could make you admire how nicely different features of the car perform.
Tim Stevens is a seasoned editor and analyst within the tech and automotive sectors. He led CNET’s automotive protection for 9 years and beforehand served as Editor-in-Chief at Engadget. Comply with him on X at @tim_stevens and take a look at his Substack.
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