2026 BMW iX First Look: New Entry-Level Trim Brings Surprising Changes
2026 BMW iX Electric SUV Gains Power and Efficiency Upgrades — But What’s Up With the New Creases?
BMW has refreshed the design and broadened the lineup of its iX electric SUV, enhancing both model efficiency and trim options. The introduction of a new entry-level xDrive45 brings some controversial styling choices, while the recently launched xDrive60 and M70 xDrive variants deliver significant performance upgrades. Here’s a closer look at what the 2026 BMW iX electric SUV will offer when it hits the market in the second quarter of this year.
2026 BMW iX Trims, Power, and Range
The 2026 BMW iX lineup expands to three trims this year, featuring the new entry-level xDrive45 alongside the xDrive60 and the high-performance M70 xDrive models. The xDrive45 delivers 402 horsepower and boasts an estimated range of up to 312 miles. Stepping up, the xDrive60 offers 536 horsepower with an anticipated range reaching 340 miles. At the top end, the M70 xDrive packs a powerful 650 horsepower and an estimated range of around 302 miles. These range figures are preliminary and have yet to receive official EPA confirmation. Production kicks off in March, with deliveries expected to start early in the second quarter.
2026 BMW iX Design
The 2026 BMW iX receives a relatively subtle redesign, highlighted by an updated kidney grille that now offers optional surround-grille lighting across all trims. Diagonal accent lines run through the grille area, adding a fresh touch to its front fascia. The DRLs and turn signals are now handled by new vertical lighting elements, while the headlights incorporate sharper, more angular diagonal details.
Both the front and rear bumpers showcase increased body-colored paintwork, reducing the visual clutter from contrasting trim pieces. While the xDrive60 and M70 models maintain a clean, squared-off appearance typical of BMW’s design language, the new xDrive45’s front fascia features prominent grooves that some might find reminiscent of skin wrinkles, creating a slightly awkward look. Overall, the other trims preserve a balanced and handsome aesthetic with familiar BMW cues.
An optional M Sport Professional Package adds dark Shadowline trim to the headlights and taillights, and this package comes standard on the M70 xDrive model. The M70 also features an exclusive M-design grille, black mirror caps, and 21-inch wheels as standard equipment. New paint colors for the lineup include Arctic Race Blue metallic, Dune Grey metallic, Carbon Black metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Deep Grey metallic, and Tanzanite Blue metallic — though the latter will arrive later in the model year. The two lower trims have the option to upgrade to the BMW Individual Exterior Line in Titanium Bronze. Across all trims, buyers can choose from 21-, 22-, or even 23-inch wheels via the M Sport and M Sport Professional packages. These new wheel designs incorporate metal inserts aimed at reducing drag and enhancing efficiency.
2026 BMW iX Interior
The 2026 BMW iX features upgraded M Multi-Function seats, which come standard on the M70 trim and are available as an option on lower models. These seats provide enhanced support and ventilation for increased comfort. The Climate Comfort Package, now standard on the M70 and optional on other trims, uses heated surfaces to boost passenger comfort. A Panoramic Eclipsing Roof with electrochromatic shading is standard on the xDrive60 and M70 models, and available as an option on the xDrive45. Additionally, the M70 comes equipped with the premium Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System as standard, while it remains optional on the other trims.
Performance and Price
The dual-motor iX M70 xDrive boasts an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, while the xDrive45 and xDrive60 trims are capped at 124 mph. Acceleration times vary across the lineup: the xDrive45 reaches 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 4.9 seconds, the xDrive60 in 4.4 seconds, and the high-performance M70 shaves that down to an impressive 3.6 seconds. A Dynamic Handling Package comes standard on the M70 and is available as an option on the other two trims. This package includes adaptive two-axle air suspension with electronically controlled shocks tuned by M Performance, along with distinctive red-painted M Sport brakes.
BMW highlights several new efficiency improvements in the 2026 iX, including lower-resistance tires, updated wheel bearings, and the introduction of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor components—marking their first use in a BMW model. Thanks to these advancements, the iX xDrive60 is expected to deliver approximately 10% more range than its previous iteration. Battery capacities vary slightly by trim: the xDrive45 features a 100.1 kWh pack, the xDrive60 has 113.4 kWh, and the M70 xDrive offers 112.8 kWh of usable energy. Charging capabilities also differ, with the xDrive45 capable of up to 175 kW DC fast charging, while the xDrive60 and M70 xDrive models can charge at a maximum rate of 195 kW.
Pricing for the 2026 BMW iX starts at $76,325 (including destination) for the xDrive45, $89,625 for the xDrive60, and $112,625 for the M70.
