When BMW first revealed the iX electrical crossover in 2020, it was met by a frankly absurd quantity of controversy and hatred directed largely towards its styling, particularly the entrance finish with its big fake kidney “grilles.” Now for the 2026 mannequin the iX is getting a mid-cycle refresh, and BMW hasn’t modified a lot on the styling entrance — if something, the kidneys are much more noticeable than earlier than as they’re now illuminated. I believe that’s a superb factor, and never simply because I really love the iX’s styling. The iX has been fairly profitable for BMW, outselling the 7 Collection in 2024 and coming in a single unit shy of the 2 Collection, so for 2026 the iX will get plenty of enhancements to its effectivity, energy and vary, together with design tweaks and new tech options.
It begins with a brand new entry-level mannequin known as the iX xDrive45, which has a dual-motor powertrain making 402 horsepower that’s good for a 4.9-second 0-to-60-mph time. The previous xDrive50 trim is renamed xDrive60, gaining 20 horses for a complete of 536 hp, with a 0-to-60 time that is still 4.4 seconds. The highest-of-the-line M70 xDrive takes the place of the previous M60, now making 650 hp and 811 pound-feet of torque, up from 610 hp and 749 lb-ft. BMW says the M70 will hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, the identical as earlier than. The M70 can attain a high velocity of 155 mph, whereas the xDrive45 and xDrive60 high out at 124 mph.
Velocity actually isn’t the purpose of the iX, although. It’s at all times had an distinctive journey, which ought to be even higher due to recalibrated damping and chassis management methods. It’s at all times been an environment friendly EV too, and there’s plenty of significant tweaks for the 2026 mannequin. The xDrive45 has a battery pack with a useable capability of 100.1 kWh, smaller than earlier iX fashions, with new cell expertise and a brand new battery administration system. BMW says it’ll have a spread of as much as 312 miles, barely higher than the outgoing xDrive50. The brand new xDrive60 has a 113.4-kWh pack with a spread of as much as 340 miles, a 10-percent improve, whereas the M70’s 112.8-kWh pack provides it a 302-mile vary, a 17-mile enchancment. The xDrive45 can fast-charge at 175 kW whereas the opposite fashions will do 195 kW; neither of these figures are significantly wonderful as of late, and the iX is sticking with the CCS cost port as an alternative of transferring to NACS.
The up to date iX is the primary BMW to make use of silicon carbine semiconductor inverter parts, that are extra environment friendly, extra highly effective and extra temperature-resistant than conventional semiconductors. A brand new warmth pump is normal to enhance effectivity throughout a extra excessive vary of temperatures, and it might probably use waste warmth from the powertrain to manage the inside local weather. There’s additionally a brand new storage heating perform for higher pre-conditioning of the battery, up to date regenerative braking, and a brand new Max Vary mode that “can improve the vary remaining earlier than the following charging cease by as much as 25 %” by chopping energy and limiting some capabilities.
Gone is the previous diamond sample within the entrance finish’s kidney “grilles,” changed by new angled traces that align with BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse design language (or horizontal M3-like traces on the M70). The body across the kidneys is now lit up, so that you’ll be capable of see them at evening, and the headlights have barely completely different internals. The bottom fashions have a brand new entrance bumper with bigger intakes, whereas M Sport trims have physique shade bumper inserts and physique cladding instead of the contrasting black bits of the outgoing iX. BMW additionally redesigned the rear diffuser and aspect skirts, and there are new wheel designs, paint colours and trim choices.
Fortunately not a lot has modified on the within both, and the iX’s cabin stays one of many best possible on sale. Obtainable M Multi-Operate seats provide extra help and adjustment, and the M Sport bundle brings a novel steering wheel, instrument panel, headliner and different trim items. An enormous panoramic sunroof has electrochromic coating as an alternative of a solar shade, and the Local weather Consolation bundle now heats the instrument panel and sprint along with the armrests, door playing cards and seats.
BMW introduced its newest iDrive 8.5 working system to the iX, which nonetheless retains the console-mounted management knob. There are new options for the private assistant, extra obtainable streaming and media apps, improved maps and over-the-air updates. The iX could be remotely parked utilizing your smartphone, and the Freeway Assistant affords Stage 2 hands-free driving at as much as 85 mph on suitable freeways, full with automated lane adjustments activated utilizing your eyes.
The 2026 iX is out there to order now, with deliveries set to start within the second quarter of this 12 months. The iX xDrive45 will begin at $76,325 together with the $1,175 vacation spot cost, about twelve grand cheaper than the earlier most cost-effective mannequin. The xDrive60 begins at $89,675, a $1,250 improve over final 12 months’s xDrive50, whereas the M70 will price $112,675, the identical as earlier than.
