The 2026 BMW iX stands out among midsize luxury electric vehicles for its lively performance, opulent and roomy interior, long range, and aggressive looks. I called it the “X-factor Bat Mobile” during my week-long test drive!
Base Price: $88,500
As Tested: $110,975
Horsepower: 536
Mileage: 90 MPGe city/85 MPGe highway/88 MPGe combined
Admittedly, the iX’s bold looks don’t appeal to everyone with its oversized kidney grille and sharp lines. But this Bimmer does stand out compared to other luxury vehicles that can all look rather similar. And you can customize it – you can choose from 13 exterior colors and 15 wheel designs ranging from 20 to 23 inches.
The iX was launched for the 2022 model year, and not everyone loved its daring styling. For 2026, the iX gets more power and range but only small price increases. The distinct styling remains with some tweaks including redesigned headlights and front fascia and new structure of the BMW kidney grille. And the trims are shuffled a bit, with the addition of the new iX xDrive 45. The old XDrive50 and M60 trims are now the iX xDrive60 and iX M70 xDrive.
Starting prices for this all-electric SUV, or Sports Activity Vehicle as BMW calls it, are $75,150 for the
iX xDrive45, $88,500 for the iX xDrive60, and $111,500 for the performance-oriented iX M70 xDrive. All three trims have room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
All iX xDrive models are powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain and a lithium-ion battery. The transmission is a one-speed direct drive. The iX xDrive45 makes 402 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The iX xDrive60 cranks out 536 horses and 564 pound-feet. If that’s not enough power for you, the iX M70 xDrive produces a whopping 650 hp and 811 pound-feet.
The iX is a joy to drive with its nimble handling. Acceleration is swift. BMW says the iX xDrive45 can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The iX xDrive60 shaves that down to 4.4 seconds, while the iX M70 xDrive does it in a blistering 3.6 seconds. The iX corners well and feels planted on twisty back roads. The steering is light and responsive but could offer a touch more feedback. The brakes have a normal feel and have high, medium, or low braking energy recovery settings – one pedal driving is available. Ride quality is a tad firm but not jarring – it feels appropriate for the sporty performance. The ride gets smoother with the available air suspension. Visibility is good all the way around, and the standard surround-view camera is helpful when squeezing into tight parking spaces. All in all, the iX drives like a Bimmer should.
The range is good for a luxury EV. The iX xDrive45 gets up to 312 miles on a full charge, the iX xDrive60 gets up to 340 miles, and the iX M70 xDrive gets up to 302 miles.
With DC fast charging, the battery can go from 10 to 80 percent of its total capacity in up to 35 minutes. With Level 2 (240 volt) charging, the battery of the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45 can go from 0 to 100 percent in about 9 hours and 45 minutes with a charging power of up to 11 kW. The battery of the 2026 BMW iX xDrive60 and 2026 BMW iX M70 charges from 0 to 100 percent in about 11 hours and 15 minutes with a charging power of up to 11 kW.
When properly equipped, the iX can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The cabin is upscale and modern with a minimalist feel. It’s loaded with tech, as you’d expect in a Bimmer with cutting-edge looks. Seats are extremely comfortable and supportive. While heated seats are standard fare in most vehicles these days, the iX xDrive also has heated armrests between the front seats. There’s good leg- and headroom in both rows – even two adults will be comfortable in the second row. The cabin is quiet as a library, with only a tiny bit of road and wind noise. The dash has a ginormous curved display made up of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment system that almost appear to float on a frame.
My test vehicle has the available Sky Lounge panoramic roof and its electrochromic shading. Instead of a fabric shade, this roof uses Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal technology which can lighten or darken the roof with the touch of a button. This panoramic glass roof also has integrated ambient LED lighting that can produce a starry effect in the dark. Very cool!
Standard features include remote start, proximity key, remote keyless entry, Digital key that lets you use your smartphone as a key, push-button start, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, cabin air filtration system, electrochromatic inside rearview mirror, leatherette and cloth upholstery, eight-way power adjustable driver and passenger front seats, memory settings for driver’s seat, heated front seats, heated leather steering wheel, 12.3-inch digital gauge display, Infotainment system with 14.9-inch curved screen, cloud-based navigation, AM/FM stereo, 655-watt Harman/Kardon premium audio system with 18 speakers, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB ports, satellite radio, wireless device charging, universal garage door opener, automatic high beam headlights, LED headlights with cornering, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 12V DC power outlet, soft-close automatic doors, and heated mirrors.
Available features include a surround-view camera system, head-up display Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system, front ventilated seats, multi-function seats with massage, illuminated kidney grille, and panoramic eclipsing roof,
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning with cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, forward and reverse parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, and vehicle exit warning.
Available driver assistance technologies include stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, active lane-change assist, semi-autonomous highway driving, and park assist.
The BMW iDrive infotainment system looks fabulous with its huge, curved screen but there is a learning curve. It takes some time to get familiar with all of the menus and icons. Just about everything is controlled through the touchscreen or a rotary dial. The lack of more physical controls and buttons can be frustrating. The cool thing is the system lets you customize just about everything, so you can set up the screen to your liking. The gigantic curved 14.9-inch touchscreen looks amazing with its sharp, modern graphics.
Cargo space is generous among midsize luxury EV SUVs. There are 35.5 cubes with both rows of seating in place and 77.9 cubes with the second row folded. The rear seats split-fold 40-20-40. A power liftgate is standard. Unlike many other EVs, the iX does not have a frunk (front trunk) but it does have an underfloor storage area in back.
The good:
Distinctive looks
Potent performance
Brisk acceleration
Good driving range
Opulent, modern and spacious interior
Loaded with features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Love it or hate it looks
Infotainment system has learning curve
Price climbs quickly with options and packages
No frunk (front trunk)
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $88,500. The Frozen Deep Grey paint is $3,600. The Dynamic Handling Package is $1,600. The Driving Assistance Professional is $2,550. The M Sport Package is $4,500. 22-inch M Aero Bicolor 1025M Wheels are $1,000. The M Sport Professional Package is $950. The Executive Package is $3,200. Front ventilated seats are $500. Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound Audio is $3,400. The destination charge is $1,175, bringing the grand total to $110,975.
Bottom line:
Sure, the looks of the 2026 iX are polarizing. But if you like its aggressive design, the iX has a lot going for it. It’s effortless and fun to drive, has a very good driving range, and an upscale cabin loaded with tech. The iX definitely has the X-factor and stands out in the competitive midsize luxury EV SUV category.
