Our outgoing, and rather entertaining, Mini Cooper S JCW long-termer is replaced by a BMW iX. John Kendall gives his first impressions.

BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport LCI

OTR price: £106,400  BiK: 3%  Efficiency: 3.0-3.4mpkWh  Official range: 321-367 miles  Miles as tested: 280-330 miles

The iX has replaced our agile, quick, fun-packed Mini Cooper S JCW Electric. For all its virtues, the stiff ride was not a great choice for a long journey, even if the drive was extremely rewarding.

In many respects, the iX is its polar opposite, apart from the performance. More than 400hp – 408hp to be exact – even in a 2.5-tonne car is enough to provide what another BMW brand might describe as “adequate” performance. Comparisons with the built-in-Britain brand are quite in order in other respects too. The ride quality bears more than a passing resemblance to a Rolls-Royce, which makes it an extremely comfortable long-distance cruiser. It’s serene, if not quiet enough to hear the digital clock ticking, but RR owners might consider the illuminated snout a touch vulgar.

In fact, its design has proved to be rather divisive. It’s a large, spacious, five-seat SUV with plenty of road presence. The large, illuminated double kidney grille is not subtle. It’s much more subtle from the side, rear three-quarters or rear, though. BMW has opted for frameless windows each side, but as you would hope from a car with such a price tag, the sealing has been done properly and the structure suitably braced to provide the stiffness and silence required.

I have already covered some miles in the iX. I’ve travelled from Bath to Edinburgh and back, and to Bury St Edmunds and back – both suitable tests of range, particularly as temperatures have fallen and winter weather arrived. There’s more to come this side of Christmas too. The cool weather has seen range tumble from around 330 miles to around 280, but the return trip to Scotland involved no more stops than I would have taken in an ICE-powered car. Food, drink and comfort breaks are just as necessary whatever you’re driving and lunch stops are great for charging. We did have to queue for charging – but not for long – at a Starbucks on the edge of Carlisle, but otherwise it was a case of pull up and plug-in. The charging network is chalk and cheese compared with a similar drive I made four years ago.

Our test iX comes with a lengthy list of standard equipment, including excellent adaptive LED headlights, a personal eSIM and Live Cockpit Pro with head-up display. In addition, it is fitted with a list of options and packages including a Sky Lounge Panoramic Sunroof (£3,200) and Comfort Pack, which includes ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats. There’s also a Technology Pack, which adds 22kW three-phase AC charging, Driving Assistant professional and Parking Assistant Pro. Altogether, these options add £13,800 (ex-VAT) to the list price.

No surprisingly, it’s a very pleasant way to travel, offering comfort, low noise levels, a refined ride and rapid performance when wanted. There is space for five adults – four would be the most comfortable option – and the large boot provides plenty of luggage space too. If an iX were on your options list, it would have to be a serious consideration.