2026 BMW iX xDrive45 Review and Test Drive

Little has changed, yet BMW's polarizing electric SUV is more affordable and more desirable than ever.

Tim Stevens | 

May 14, 2025 | 6 min read

Tim Stevens

The 2026 BMW iX comes in xDrive45, xDrive60, and M70 xDrive model designations that indicate the amount of performance they provide. Base prices range from the mid-$70,000s to the low $110,000s, including the destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealership from the Dingolfing, Germany, factory that builds it. The 2026 BMW iX is not eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit unless you take advantage of the lease loophole.

For this iX review, I test-drove the xDrive45 through New York and Connecticut. Optional equipment highlights included the M Sport, Executive, Driving Assistance Professional, and Dynamic Handling packages, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $96,275, including the $1,175 destination charge. BMW provided the vehicle for this iX review.

Tim Stevens

Is the 2026 BMW iX a Good SUV?

I think the BMW iX was already an impressive SUV, with one big caveat: You had to get your head around its design. It's an SUV that splits opinions from a style standpoint, and this refresh does little to change that. The visual changes are minor, but by adding a significantly more affordable trim, along with more power and range across the higher tiers, BMW makes a stellar SUV even better.

Tim Stevens

What's New for the 2026 BMW iX?

The most significant change for the 2026 iX lineup is the new xDrive45 model with a more accessible price. Where the previous year's iX started in the high $80,000s, the starting xDrive45 trim is now available in the mid-$70,000s.

That's a substantial savings, and naturally, you'll give up some performance and features in exchange for it. BMW has cut the battery size down to a usable 100.1 kilowatt hours (kWh), versus 110.4 kWh on the previous-generation iX. Despite that, the 2026 iX xDrive45 offers slightly more range than the 2025 iX xDrive50: 312 miles compared with 309.

The extra range is thanks to a less powerful drivetrain. The iX xDrive45 has a pair of electric motors that deliver 402 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque through all four wheels. That's down from 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft in the xDrive50. Those wanting more can step up to the new xDrive60, which offers 536 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. Or, if you really want to get up and go, the M70 xDrive provides a whopping 650 horsepower when in Sport mode. That's 40 more than the M60 offered.

Tim Stevens

Visual changes to the 2026 iX are few. The front styling has been tweaked, and if you get the M Sport package on the xDrive45 or xDrive60, the iX wears the bolder face of the top-tier M70 xDrive model. It gives the BMW a more purposeful appearance, with large air intakes and striking vertical creases. In addition to the styling refresh, the 2026 BMW iX is available in five new colors and with new optional M Sport seats.

The 2026 iX also gets a few minor tech updates. The optional BMW Highway Assistant system, which allows hands-free driving, can now change lanes automatically, requiring only that you glance in the appropriate mirror. BMW has also improved the iX's interoperability with ultra-wideband smart devices, so setting up and using your compatible smartphone as a key is easier and more reliable.

Tim Stevens

The 2026 BMW iX xDrive45 Is Plenty Powerful

Having spent plenty of miles behind the wheel of an xDrive50, I was keen to see just how noticeable the difference would be in the new xDrive45. After all, removing more than 100 horsepower from most cars would result in a decidedly tepid driving experience.

However, the xDrive45 has nearly the same amount of torque, which helps it drive incredibly well. BMW rates it at 4.9 seconds from zero to 60 mph, which is quick for an SUV of any size. When accelerating away from lights or zipping around other cars in short passing zones, the xDrive45 proved plenty eager.

Only at higher speeds could I feel the reduction in horsepower. The xDrive45 just doesn't have the same passing immediacy as the older xDrive50 or the new xDrive60, not to mention the M70. Still, it was never lacking, and despite my appreciation of quick cars, I can't see justifying the money for either of the more expensive variants.

Tim Stevens

I also found the new iX to be quite frugal regarding energy consumption. BMW claims the xDrive45 will provide 312 miles of range from its 100.1-kWh battery pack. In my testing, which included no shortage of range-sapping acceleration tests, I netted 3.2 miles per kWh. Driven more conservatively, it could surely do much better.

Likewise, I found the ride quality of the xDrive45 to be excellent, and in line with the standards set by its predecessor. The SUV I drove featured the optional Dynamic Handling package, which adds an air suspension and rear-wheel steering. It also had the optional 22-inch wheels with lower-profile tires than the stock 20-inch units. Despite that, I found the ride quality over some seriously rough roads superb, and that rear-steering system made quick U-turns a breeze.

And despite its considerable size and weight, the iX is reasonably fun to drive through the corners. That suspension keeps body roll to acceptable levels, while the adaptive ratio steering makes the iX feel nimble. It's no sports car, but if you're feeling lively, it shouldn't disappoint.

Tim Stevens

A Price Drop Makes the 2026 iX More Compelling

One of my biggest complaints with the earlier BMW iX is the shape of the seats. They're interesting to look at but nowhere near as comfortable as those found in virtually every other BMW on the road. Thankfully, BMW has fixed that by adding optional M Sport seats.

The rest of the interior is largely unchanged, including the sweeping BMW Curved Display containing the gauge cluster and the infotainment system. They stand suspended above the iX's distinctive swept-back dashboard, an arrangement that still looks striking.

Likewise, the second row of seats is just as roomy as before, with a flat floor and plenty of legroom. Three adults across is a reasonable possibility for the iX's maximum seating of five, but your passengers will be happier if you cap it at four. Fold that seat down, and you can expand the 35.5 cubic-foot cargo area to the iX's maximum cargo capacity of 77.9 cu-ft.

Tim Stevens

Aside from the lower entry price — thanks to the new 2026 iX xDrive45 — the changes to BMW's electric SUV are minimal. Anyone who hated the look or the character of this EV before won't be won over now. However, I think adding the xDrive45 to the lineup makes the iX even more compelling, and ticking option boxes makes it look and feel as good as the xDrive60 or M70 xDrive. Better yet, you won't miss the extra power those two models offer.

Tim Stevens

Tim is a freelance automotive and technology journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He is a frequent contributor to major domestic and international online, print, and broadcast news outlets, sharing his insights and perspectives on everything from cybersecurity to supercars. Tim also serves as a juror for the World Car Awards and regularly acts as speaker and moderator at major industry events such as CES, Web Summit, SXSW, NAIAS, and AutoMobility LA. He formerly served as editor-at-large and vice president of content at CNET. Before that he was editor-in-chief of Engadget and editorial director at AOL Tech.