BMW Group celebrates success at the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2022
The BMW iX xDrive50, X5 xDrive45e and 330e all took the top spot in their respective classes. A further win was bagged by MINI, as the Countryman PHEV was crowned Best Used Hybrid Small SUV.
Powered by the combination of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor producing 292hp, the BMW 330e took home the illustrious ‘Best Used Hybrid Executive Car’ award.
Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car? said: “The 3 Series is often hailed as a brilliant all-rounder, but the 330e version takes that to another level. It marries the standard car’s expert blend of refinement, luxury and fun with a plug-in hybrid set-up for impressive fuel economy, low CO2 emissions and stonking performance. The handling is sharp and well balanced, too, and the 330e is a fine cruiser, especially if adaptive suspension (optional from new as part of the Pro Pack) is fitted.”
The BMW X5 xDrive45e retains its award from 2021, taking home the award for ‘prestigious Best Hybrid Luxury SUV’. Judges commended the car’s impressive electric range – with the ability to travel up to 52 miles solely on electric power, drivers can take advantage of some serious savings on fuel.
The interior quality, eight-speed automatic gearbox and air suspension were also praised by judges, with Huntingford commenting: “The interior is beautifully finished, with hugely supportive seats and the best infotainment system around. What’s more, you’re brilliantly isolated from wind noise, the eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts almost imperceptibly, and the air suspension is beautifully judged.”
Adding another award to its portfolio, the BMW iX xDrive50 was crowned ‘Best Electric Luxury SUV’ – an eighth UK industry award for the iX in 2022 alone. Huntington paid tribute to the car’s innovative design choices, stating: “The iX is made from exotic materials, which reduce how much the car weighs and help maximise how far it can go between charges. Indeed, our favoured xDrive50 model can get you from London to the Lake District without having to top up. You’d also be hard pressed to find a quieter or more cosseting cruiser. And this relaxed ambience is supported by the iX’s plush, lounge-like interior.”
MINI was also victorious at the awards, as the Countryman PHEV was acclaimed for its “worthy of the Cooper badge” performance and its electric range. Although, the What Car? team were particularly impressed by the car’s interior, commenting: “What really sets the Countryman apart from rivals is how special it feels inside. You’ll find plush materials, smart design details and build quality to eclipse that of any other small SUV and even challenge bigger, more costly cars. Meanwhile, the infotainment system is easy to use, even on the move.”
THE BMW GROUP
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
n 2021, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 194,000 motorcycles worldwide.
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