The 2026 BMW iX is a best-case-scenario EV

BMW has recently been on a role, selling more EVs in North America than most of its rivals, including fellow luxury brands like Mercedes and Audi. But as most of the car maker’s line -up is growing, its flagship is struggling to find the Ix SUV audience. BMW sold only 15,383 IX vehicles in 2024, which is 11 % lower in the year. The number of sales increased slightly in the first quarter, but after staying in the market since 2022, IX needs upgraded.

Keeping these struggles in mind, BMW announced the latest 2026 IX earlier this year, which takes many parts of the best parts of Electric SUV and marks them. The battery is slightly larger, the limit is long, the tech is shiny, the interior is more luxurious, and the kidney grill is more on your face than ever. This Bitcoin SUV is happy that there is a change that is smiling positively from the ear to the ear.

I had the opportunity to run updated IX-once on a media drive via New York and then a weekend in New Jersey a weekend-and it’s clear that this is almost the perfect luxury EV that has some remarkable downward side.

BMW has improved the driving experience with better suspension and better chassis control system, which solves some complaints about the strictness of IX’s drive. It expanded the Model Family to add more affordable option and tweet the design to give it a further aggressive and fraudulent position. Headlights are sleek and better that are at the front end. And the performance capabilities are developed with more strength and reaction.

But there are some trade. The operating system is mostly disgraceful and forgetful (most owners choose phone projection). And there were some quality issues that caused I was wondering how they could overcome the quality of the past. But overall, the IX maintains its status as a luxury EV, which is why I recommend the most.

The two current variations of the IX are getting new names that are in line with their new strength and limitations. And there is an entry level model that is included in the family, as the BMW wants to make the IX accessible to the wider range of buyers.

The previous base model, XDrive50, now becomes X -drive 60, which is slightly large battery (113 kW per hour more than 111.5 kW), higher horsepower (536 HP, as compared to 516 HP of XDrive50), and higher range (EPA estimated at 364 miles of 364 miles). The preliminary price of BMW, 89.675 (which includes 1,175 destination charges) is being proposed, compared to the initial price of XDrive50, 88,425.

The M60 now becomes M70 Xdrive, which includes 650 HP (above 610 HP of M60), an 113 kW battery (grass), 303 mile EPA estimated range, and initial price 2 112,675 (destination fees).

BMW is also introducing a new entry level variety, X -drive 45, which starts at 76,325, including destination fees. BMW found that it was important to have at least 300 miles and 400 HP in each model in the IX family. So keeping in mind, the new entry level is 312 miles estimated in the term, thanks to 100kW battery and 402 HP.

I am not the biggest fan of the appearance of Ix’s teeth, and the changes in the car’s specific grill believe that it will be strictly discussed BMW -based blogs And Reddate threads. Personally, seeing is a really big thing, and may have the highest choice of polarizing design in the EV industry – including Tesla Cybertrick.

And for the 2026 model years, the girl is now bright, making it difficult to ignore your face more and more than ever before. BMW has also added horizontal slate across the Girl’s Girl to look more like the traditional internal combustion engine front. Overall the look is clean and more structural, but it is not less distributed. The headlights are also thin, and their vertical LED signatures connect the IX with the BMW’s upcoming New Class model.

The interior is mostly the same as the previous model year, which includes the same curved screen and sharp, detailed graphics. I found the display slightly heavier, to the location where most drivers are likely to choose the acquaintance of the Apple Carplay or Android Auto (both of these wireless available).

I got to test all three, and initially, I thought the M70 is a clear winner. Although I did not find too much straight lines to truly test the horsepower, the low ground clearance and gravity center of the vehicle helps in a more stable stand on the road. Nevertheless, the extra weight appears in the corner and during the brake, usually reduces BMW’s MM seeded vehicles associated with vehicles. The air suspension system helps maintain a composer on the pit and cracks in the road, and allows the adjusted ground clearance – though the lack of intermediate settings is limited.

The new front bumper now includes air vent for a better aero, and the option to exchange 21-, 22-, or 23-inch wheels makes options for those who have put a lot of stock in this MBD.

Now, I’m driving A lot of EVK – average about three months. I am driving on Mountain Mountain Roads, fierce rural passes, and crowds of cities. And I usually have an iron stomach in most scenarios. But for any reason, IX made me sick as a dog, so much so that I lost most of the drive event in Optta New York this month. (The new medicine I blamed is blamed.) BMW gave me more time to complete my test with kindness, which passed without interruption. Even my car sick had no complaints.

You can tell that BMW engineers criticized hardships when using better comfort mode. But in sports mode, the M70 corner is better with physical control, which makes it more structured on a turning road.

But this is really the newest XDrive45 that is the real game changer for BMW. As the newly affordable EV status in the automacker lineup, X -drive 45 will definitely help BMW bring new users – and good measure measures. The range is spotted, the features are luxurious without being high, and the ride was made better and beautiful. This is a rare base model EV that doesn’t make you feel like you are selling yourself short.