Electrical automobiles have given automakers a uncommon alternative to throw out design and engineering conventions in favor of one thing actually new, and few automakers have exploited that chance like BMW.
The German automaker’s first try at a volume-production electrical automobile was the BMW i3, a small hatchback that disbursed with all expectations of what a automotive sporting BMW’s blue-and-white badge must be, with a novel form and engineering to match its electrical powertrain. Whereas the i3 wasn’t a gross sales success, its spirit lives on in an EV on the reverse finish of the worth and measurement spectrum.
Launched for the 2022 mannequin 12 months, the BMW iX is a big SUV that sits close to the highest of the automaker’s EV lineup. It’s now been on sale lengthy sufficient to warrant a mid-cycle refresh — or Lifecycle Impulse (LCI), in BMW converse — that brings quite a few enhancements whereas carrying ahead the ethos of the i3.
Nonetheless daring to be completely different
Just like the i3, the iX is difficult to disregard. The unique mannequin’s many detractors will likely be disillusioned to study that BMW has doubled down on the huge grille, which returns with optionally available illumination. Extra distinguished air intakes on both aspect assist stability it considerably, although, whereas new headlights with distinguished vertical parts give the refreshed iX a considerably cross-eyed look.
Nonetheless, it’s good to see a design that doesn’t mix into visitors — from some angles at the very least. The actual concern right here isn’t the grille, it’s that there isn’t a lot about the remainder of the automotive that stands out. The skinny taillights are uncommon however delicate, and in profile view the iX’s tall-but-curvy form makes it seem to be BMW’s designers weren’t certain whether or not they had been engaged on an SUV or a minivan.
The iX is difficult to disregard.
Along with following an analogous design path, the iX borrows a number of the i3’s spectacular engineering. Its chassis makes use of a mixture of aluminum, metal, and carbon fiber bolstered plastic (CFRP) much like what was pioneered by the i3. However whereas CFRP ought to assist scale back weight whereas retaining structural rigidity, though right here the profit is more durable to see. BMW quotes a base curb weight of 5,567 kilos, which isn’t far off from a Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV with extra standard chassis building.
For 2026, the iX lineup expands with a brand new iX xDrive45 base mannequin priced beneath the xDrive60 and M70 xDrive, that are up to date replacements for final 12 months’s xDrive50 and M60 xDrive variants, respectively. The M70 xDrive has a barely sportier look, with larger entrance air intakes and a mini rear diffuser, however an analogous look will be added to the opposite two fashions by way of an optionally available M Sport Bundle.
Efficiency improves — however does it matter?
All three 2026 iX fashions have dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains, therefore the “xDrive” branding. The bottom iX xDrive45 makes use of a 100.1-kilowatt-hour (usable capability) battery pack and is rated at 402 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The opposite two use a bigger pack, with completely different software program that brings usable capability to 113.4 kWh for the xDrive60 and 112.8 kWh for the M70. Both manner, it’s greater than the 109 kWh of all 2025 iX fashions.
Output will increase too. Whereas there’s no 2025-model-year analogue for the bottom xDrive45, the xDrive60’s 536 hp is a 20-hp acquire over the xDrive50 it replaces (torque stays unchanged at 546 lb-ft). The M70 produces 650 hp and 811 lb-ft, that are good points of 40 hp and 62 lb-ft over the M60 it replaces. Nonetheless, this sportiest iX mannequin isn’t any faster, nonetheless doing zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, in accordance with BMW.
Exact steering makes getting essentially the most out of the chassis simple.
The M70 remains to be appreciably faster than the xDrive45 and xDrive60, which attain 60 mph in a BMW-estimated 4.9 seconds and 4.4 seconds, respectively. However from the driving force’s seat, all three fashions felt loads fast. Even switching immediately from the M70 to the xDrive45 didn’t really feel like a downgrade; the bottom mannequin was greater than able to mashing our bodies into seats.
There wasn’t a dramatic distinction in dealing with and trip high quality, however that’s as a result of BMW set such a excessive bar with the pre-facelift iX. This isn’t the sportiest BMW, however corners gracefully, with exact steering that makes getting essentially the most out of the chassis simple. And it does that whereas retaining the cushioned trip of a real luxurious automotive — even on the newly-optional 23-inch wheels. A lot of this is because of rear-axle steering and adaptive air suspension which can be commonplace on the M70, however will be added to the 2 lower-tier fashions with the Dynamic Dealing with Bundle. So once more, it’s laborious to justify the top-dog M70 relating to real-world driving.
Extra vary, identical charging speeds
The iX additionally boasts vary enhancements throughout the lineup. BMW estimates 340 miles for the xDrive60, 312 miles for the xDrive45, and 302 miles for the M70 xDrive. To place that in perspective, the 2025 iX topped out at 309 miles with a pack barely bigger than the one within the xDrive45. And the M60 xDrive — the equal to 2026’s M70 — might solely muster 285 miles per cost.
BMW didn’t deal with charging, nonetheless. The xDrive60 and M70 nonetheless DC quick cost at 195 kilowatts like all 2025 fashions, whereas the xDrive45 reaches 175 kW. That’s nonetheless sufficient for a ten%-80% cost in 35 minutes, BMW claims, and the usual 11-kW AC onboard charger has a extra aggressive energy charge. It ought to make in a single day recharges at dwelling a nonissue.
A refreshingly completely different inside with well-executed tech
The inside and tech options haven’t modified a lot, however that’s as a result of they had been already far forward of the curve. Within the spirit of the i3, the iX exhibits off what’s attainable, however this time it’s a lead the remainder of BMW’s lineup truly adopted.
Since its 2022-model-year launch, the iX’s curved dashboard show — together with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen in a single housing — has cropped up in different BMW fashions. It returns for 2026 trying pretty much as good as ever, and the iDrive infotainment system is pretty simple to navigate (wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto stay commonplace as nicely).
The stage for this tech is a cabin radically completely different to different BMW fashions. An angled dashboard and door panels present visible curiosity whereas opening up area, as does the minimal heart console that floats between the entrance seats. Out there crystal controls additional add to the whimsical ambiance. For 2026, these wanting a extra stereotypically BMW look can even spec an M Sport Bundle with a chunky steering wheel and seats with additional bolstering.
The bottom mannequin is the one to have
The iX was a fantastic luxurious EV at its launch, and the enhancements for 2026 assist it hold tempo with rivals. However most vital is the iX xDrive45 mannequin’s base worth of $76,325—$11,920 lower than the least-expensive 2025 mannequin. That additionally makes the 2026 iX cheaper than rivals just like the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Volvo EX90, whereas providing extra vary than an equivalently-priced Rivian R1S.
BMW additionally retains pricing in verify for the opposite two iX grades. The xDrive60 begins at $89,675—$1,430 lower than the xDrive50 mannequin it replaces. The M70 xDrive prices $112,675—the identical because the equal M60 mannequin from 2025.
Whereas the xDrive60 provides extra vary, and each it and the M70 supply extra energy and a better DC fast-charging energy charge, the precise driving expertise isn’t completely different sufficient to warrant upgrading from the xDrive45. That mannequin’s decrease base worth leaves loads of headroom for choices, so you’ll be able to spec it the way you need with out FOMO. And in at present’s car-buying setting, that seems like a significant win.
