Having been round for about 4 years, the BMW iX receives the Life Cycle Impulse it deserves. Higher but, the LCI mannequin lastly presents what People have requested for years. The US market missed out on Europe’s base xDrive40, however now the cheaper trim is on the market for the 2026MY. Very like on the Outdated Continent, it’s been rebranded because the xDrive45. The opposite two flavors additionally go by totally different names, with the xDrive50 changing into the xDrive60 whereas the M60 is now the M70. The BMW iX xDrive45 is without doubt one of the larger information of this refresh as a result of it’s lastly giving U.S. prospects a extra inexpensive choice.
iX 45, iX 60 and iX M70
The entry-level iX sticks to a 100.1-kWh battery pack, whereas the opposite two have bigger packs: 113.4 kWh for the xDrive60 and 112.8 kWh for the recent M Efficiency mannequin. For larger effectivity, a warmth pump is commonplace on all three fashions. BMW additionally notes the 2026 iX is the corporate’s first manufacturing mannequin to make use of silicon carbide semiconductor elements. The SiC inverter boosts effectivity in the course of the vitality switch from the battery to the electrical motor.
BMW estimates the iX xDrive45 can cowl 312 miles (EPA) on a single cost. That’s not too shabby for such a big electrical SUV that weighs 5,567 kilos. Its twin motors push out a mixed 402 hp and 516 lb-ft, sufficient for a dash to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Flat out, it gained’t go any quicker than 124 mph.
New Entry-Stage iX Coming to the U.S.
The iX xDrive45 begins at $76,325 (together with vacation spot and dealing with charges), $12,100 extra inexpensive than the earlier least expensive iX, the xDrive50. For those who improve to the brand new xDrive60, you’ll pay barely greater than you probably did for its predecessor. The midlevel trim is now $89,675, a rise of $1,250 over the outgoing mannequin.
The premium is justified by a 20-horsepower enhance over the defunct iX xDrive50. Its substitute now has 536 hp and 564 lb-ft, good for a 0-60 mph dash in 4.4 seconds and a 124-mph prime pace. In response to BMW’s inside testing, the vary ought to go up by about 10% to 340 miles (EPA) “when correctly outfitted,” so probably with solely sure wheels. In Europe, the iX xDrive60 has a spread of 710 km on the WLTP cycle.
BMW iX M70: 650 hp, 302 Miles Vary
The highest canine within the lineup, the iX M70, now produces 650 hp, a major 40-hp enhance over the M60 it replaces. With launch management activated, the twin motors ship a nearly instantaneous torque of 811 lb-ft. BMW quotes a 3.6-second dash to 60 mph and an electronically capped prime pace of 155 mph.
For those who’re after effectivity, the M70 is clearly not the one to get. It prioritizes efficiency, so the vary drops to an estimated 302 miles. The EU score is 600 km (WLTP). That doesn’t come as a shock, contemplating it’s the heaviest of the three iX flavors. It suggestions the scales at a porky 5,849 kilos. It’s additionally the most costly of the lot, at $112,675, a price ticket unchanged from the previous M60. The latter did 285 miles, per EPA’s score, so BMW reckons its substitute is barely extra economical.
In European guise, the xDrive45 is rated at 602 km of vary, primarily based on the WLTP cycle. The xDrive60 can do 710 km earlier than it must recharge. As for the M70, the M Efficiency mannequin can journey for 600 km (WLTP) earlier than juicing up.
How Did BMW Enhance The Effectivity
The most important effectivity soar comes from using new silicon carbide invertors within the iX’s e-motors – 4% of the general elevated effectivity. You may be questioning, what are silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors? They’re superior digital elements created from a mixture of silicon and carbon. SiC semiconductors outperform conventional silicon-based ones in some ways, making them particularly precious in high-performance programs like electrical autos. On this case, these superior elements make the motors run extra effectively by lowering vitality loss. Even the brand new headlights are 10% extra environment friendly than earlier than.
Up to date Design
BMW’s most putting SUV, the iX, has undergone a nip and tuck, together with an illuminated contour for the up to date kidney grille. The sunshine-up kidneys are commonplace on the M70 and non-compulsory on the lesser two trims. The Bavarians additionally redesigned the headlights by integrating barely angled vertical daytime working lights. This modification aligns the iX with different current fashions with an identical lighting theme, bridging the hole till Neue Klasse arrives.
BMW is lastly giving the iX an non-compulsory M Sport Package deal for a extra aggressive look. Talking of firsts, BMW presents gargantuan 23-inch Particular person wheels for automobiles fitted with the M Sport Package deal. You’ll be able to order the M70 with the supersized alloys as properly. Since we’re speaking about customizations, there are a number of contemporary colours accessible.
You’ll be able to order the big electrical SUV in:
- Dune Gray
- Arctic Race Blue
- Carbon Black
- Particular person Frozen Deep Gray
- Area Silver Metallic (not for the U.S. and arrives in Summer season 2025)
- Tanzanite Blue will even arrive barely later than March
- BMW additionally has a brand new Particular person Titanium Bronze Trim choice for the xDrive45 and xDrive60
Thank You BMW for the Improved Seats
The seats are, in our view, probably the most notable improve within the new iX. They not solely present enhanced bolster assist but in addition deal with a key downside: the earlier seats have been too brief for taller people, providing minimal thigh assist. These new seats retain intensive adjustment choices, together with backrest width, lumbar assist, and pronounced contouring for improved consolation. One other noteworthy enchancment within the seats is the redesigned headrest cutout, which was beforehand too massive and prompted discomfort for shorter people who would sometimes hit their heads in opposition to it.
One other novelty launched by the LCI is the provision of M Multi-Perform Seats, that are commonplace on the M Efficiency mannequin and a part of the M Sport Package deal on the opposite two iX fashions. For a further value, these massaging seats may also be ventilated (commonplace on the M70). BMW covers the seats in microfibre/Sensatec, however you may go for Amido or Castanea pure leathers. There may be additionally an choice of Sensatec and wool material, however not all markets will get this upholstery.
2026 BMW iX manufacturing begins in March on the Dingolfing web site in Germany. Deliveries within the US will start within the second quarter of the 12 months. As beforehand reported, the iX shall be not directly changed by an electrical iX5 primarily based on the next-gen X5 (G65) in just a few years. Enjoyable reality: A tow hitch shall be accessible as an choice for the brand new BMW iX in the summertime of 2025. For all mannequin variants, the utmost permitted towing capability is 3,500 lbs.
