BMW’s flagship electric crossover gets a glow-up for 2026, and a new range of models with a greater range of miles. When it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2025, the 2026 BMW iX will be offered in three models, including a less expensive base model, with efficiency improvements that extend the range to up to 340 miles, BMW announced Tuesday night.
Launched in 2022, BMW’s electric crossover arrives with significant improvements to its battery packs, propulsion systems, and other internals.
A new iX xDrive45 replaces the xDrive40 that was promised but never delivered for the 2025 model year. The new base model costs $76,325 (including a $1,175 destination charge), which is $11,920 less than the current base model in the 2025 BMW iX xDrive50. BMW estimates an EPA range of 312 miles, which is slightly better than the xDrive50’s 309-mile range.
This year’s xDrive50 becomes next year’s xDrive60 and will cost $89,675. It will be the range leader with 340 miles. The 2025 xDrive50 costs $87,250 and has a range of 309 miles.
This year’s M60 becomes next year’s M70 and it will cost $112,675, and have a range of 302 miles. The 2025 iX M60 costs $111,500 and has a range of 285 miles.
The 2026 BMW iX uses silicon anodes instead of graphite in the cells, resulting in greater energy density and faster charging speeds. Other improvements to boost range include new “friction-optimized” wheel bearings, according to BMW, and more efficient headlights that consume less energy. New inverter technology boosts the power density of the drive system and improves efficiency from the battery through to the motors.
The new headlights crown a boxier, more upright front fascia, though the polarizing iron butterfly solid grille remains. Larger vertical intakes flank the ends, and the wheel arches appear better streamlined into the body than last year’s model, and 22-inch wheels remain an option. The interior features a large curved dash display housing a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen, with very few controls otherwise; even the vent controls are haptic sliders. More gaming and streaming options arrive for 2026.
All three models have dual-motor all-wheel drive and a standard heat pump to preserve energy in cold weather. They’re distinguished by their performance capabilities and usable capacity in the battery pack:
The 2026 iX XDrive45 uses a 100.1-kwh battery pack (usable) to get its 312 miles of range. Its dual-motor system is rated at 402 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and BMW estimates a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.
The 2026 iX XDrive60 uses a 113.4-kwh battery pack (usable) to get its 340 miles of range. Its dual-motor system is rated at 536 hp and 564 lb-ft (an improvement of 20 hp over the xDrive50), and BMW estimates a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds.
The 2026 iX M70 uses a 112.8-kwh battery pack (usable) to get its 302 miles of range. Its generates 650 hp and 811 lb-ft with launch control (570 hp and 749 lb-ft otherwise), compared with 610 hp and 749 lb-ft in the M60. BMW estimates a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph, versus 130 mph in the other models.
It can fast-charge at up to 195 kw via its CCS port, accomplishing a 10-80% charge time of about 40 minutes; the base model peaks at 175 kw. BMW will roll out Tesla Supercharger access later this year using adapters.