When BMW first revealed the iX electric crossover in 2020, it was met by a frankly absurd amount of controversy and hatred directed mostly toward its styling, specifically the front end with its huge faux kidney “grilles.” Now for the 2026 model the iX is getting a mid-cycle refresh, and BMW hasn’t changed much on the styling front — if anything, the kidneys are even more noticeable than before as they’re now illuminated. I think that’s a good thing, and not just because I actually love the iX’s styling. The iX has been pretty successful for BMW, outselling the 7 Series in 2024 and coming in one unit shy of the 2 Series, so for 2026 the iX gets a number of enhancements to its efficiency, power and range, along with design tweaks and new tech features.
It starts with a new entry-level model called 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 old xDrive50 trim is renamed xDrive60, gaining 20 horses for a total of 536 hp, with a 0-to-60 time that remains 4.4 seconds. The top-of-the-line M70 xDrive takes the place of the old 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 same as before. The M70 can reach a top speed of 155 mph, while the xDrive45 and xDrive60 top out at 124 mph.
Speed really isn’t the point of the iX, though. It’s always had an exceptional ride, which should be even better thanks to recalibrated damping and chassis control systems. It’s always been an efficient EV too, and there’s lots of meaningful tweaks for the 2026 model. The xDrive45 has a battery pack with a useable capacity of 100.1 kWh, smaller than previous iX models, with new cell technology and a new battery management system. BMW says it’ll have a range of up to 312 miles, slightly better than the outgoing xDrive50. The new xDrive60 has a 113.4-kWh pack with a range of up to 340 miles, a 10-percent increase, while the M70's 112.8-kWh pack gives it a 302-mile range, a 17-mile improvement. The xDrive45 can fast-charge at 175 kW while the other models will do 195 kW; neither of those figures are particularly amazing these days, and the iX is sticking with the CCS charge port instead of moving to NACS.
The updated iX is the first BMW to use silicon carbine semiconductor inverter components, which are more efficient, more powerful and more temperature-resistant than traditional semiconductors. A new heat pump is standard to improve efficiency across a more extreme range of temperatures, and it can use waste heat from the powertrain to control the interior climate. There’s also a new storage heating function for better pre-conditioning of the battery, updated regenerative braking, and a new Max Range mode that “can increase the range remaining before the next charging stop by up to 25 percent” by cutting power and restricting some functions.
Gone is the old diamond pattern in the front end’s kidney “grilles,” replaced by new angled lines that align with BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse design language (or horizontal M3-like lines on the M70). The frame around the kidneys is now lit up, so you’ll be able to see them at night, and the headlights have slightly different internals. The base models have a new front bumper with larger intakes, while M Sport trims have body color bumper inserts and body cladding in place of the contrasting black bits of the outgoing iX. BMW also redesigned the rear diffuser and side skirts, and there are new wheel designs, paint colors and trim options.
Thankfully not much has changed on the inside either, and the iX’s cabin remains one of the absolute best on sale. Available M Multi-Function seats offer more support and adjustment, and the M Sport package brings a unique steering wheel, instrument panel, headliner and other trim pieces. A giant panoramic sunroof has electrochromic coating instead of a sun shade, and the Climate Comfort package now heats the instrument panel and dash in addition to the armrests, door cards and seats.
BMW brought its latest iDrive 8.5 operating system to the iX, which still keeps the console-mounted control knob. There are new features for the personal assistant, more available streaming and media apps, improved maps and over-the-air updates. The iX can be remotely parked using your smartphone, and the Highway Assistant offers Level 2 hands-free driving at up to 85 mph on compatible freeways, complete with automatic lane changes activated using your eyes.
The 2026 iX is available to order now, with deliveries set to begin in the second quarter of this year. The iX xDrive45 will start at $76,325 including the $1,175 destination charge, about twelve grand cheaper than the previous cheapest model. The xDrive60 starts at $89,675, a $1,250 increase over last year’s xDrive50, while the M70 will cost $112,675, the same as before.
