2026 BMW iX First Drive Review: Putting The Sport In Sports Activity Vehicle

BMW claims that its SUV fashions ought to be known as Sports activities Exercise Autos – this has been the case for the reason that introduction of the BMW X5, the model’s first SUV to go on sale in 1999. Now, BMW is hoping to repeat the midsize X5’s success with the all-electric midsize 2026 BMW iX SUV. However whether or not the brand new EV additionally has the “sporty exercise” meant of the model’s SUVs stays to be seen – and does the inclusion of a extra reasonably priced base iX mannequin this 12 months muddy the waters and diminish a few of its character?

We had the chance to drive all three newly-updated trims of the 2026 BMW iX from the German automaker’s New Jersey workplace as much as the well-known New York Troutbeck Lodge; this allowed us to evaluate the brand new base xDrive 45 mannequin towards the marginally tweaked variations of the opposite two trims that carry over, however get renamed to the xDrive 60 and M70.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted atmosphere underneath sure time constraints. Regulate DrivingOnRoad for our complete Take a look at Drive assessment which can comply with quickly.

What’s Modified For The 2026 BMW iX?

General, BMW has introduced that the lifecycle-updated 2026 iX makes use of the identical batteries as earlier than, however they will now get extra internet vitality out of the pack, which means bettering effectivity and vary throughout the trim lineup. There’s additionally an up to date inverter to additional improve effectivity, together with new tires on choose wheel decisions that additional help economic system. The earlier two trims within the US have been renamed to replicate their improved energy and vary figures, and all fashions now include at the very least 400 hp and 300 miles of vary as normal for a really compelling full bundle, irrespective of which you choose. There are some aesthetic tweaks, too.

Talking of packages, the previous iX’s Sport bundle is now normal tools on the bottom mannequin (with body-color fascia inlays that do not look nice within the Dune Gray hue, we’ve to say), and there is a correct full M Sport Package deal obtainable that now contains the identical options as different fashions within the BMW lineup, which largely applies to the inside. It’s also possible to spec as much as 23-inch wheels, and a factory-available tow hitch will go on sale for the primary time for the iX this summer season, making it much more succesful than the earlier iteration.

Exterior Design: Sport Exercise Automobile With An Emphasis On Sport

For the outside, the previous decrease distinction cladding is now matched to the colour of the remainder of the automobile, and the headlights function new vertical parts that align with the brand new angles of the strains within the up to date kidney grilles for each trim. All fashions can be found with at the very least 21-inch wheels. The non-compulsory however highly-suggested M Sport Package deal provides an aggressive decrease chin and reworked entrance ducting that higher suits the SAV transient than the bottom mannequin with the usual Sport pack. The M70 mannequin will get Shadowline trim to the headlights, an unique black kidney grille (nonetheless with illumination), and a singular 23-inch wheel alternative.

Inside: Do not Repair What Is not Damaged

In considerably of a combined blessing, all six of the brand new BMW iX fashions we had entry to had conveniently every been geared up with choices that upgraded the inside past base spec. Nonetheless, from what we are able to inform, even the bottom mannequin is not sparse. That being stated, the non-compulsory M Sport Package deal might be definitely worth the cash in case you can swing it, because it upgrades with M multi-function seats that function the M tricolor stripe that followers of BMW love, with heating and air flow as an choice. The M Sport pack additionally provides a special steering wheel, which is now largely spherical once more in contrast to in earlier years, new trim, M pedals, and anthracite headliner. An non-compulsory leather-based seating setup can also be obtainable with M Sport seating in both pink or grey.

Infotainment: Largely Purposeful, With A Few Annoyances

Customary throughout all fashions are two giant linked screens, stretching in a single band from in entrance of the driving force to the middle console, the place it is simply accessible by each entrance occupants. There isn’t any non-compulsory third display screen on this EV, like another opponents now supply, specifically Jeep with the Wagoneer S and Porsche with the Macan EV.

For many capabilities, the 2 screens work simply advantageous. The app pages are simple to navigate, and there is a customizable dwelling display screen with playing cards which you can choose, together with music and navigation on the identical display screen. Nevertheless, for particular options, like adjusting the space on the radar cruise management, you must dive into a number of menus earlier than you possibly can choose what you need. There aren’t any steering controls for that operate, like on many different vehicles, which you may count on, and that may be annoying.

The iX is one in every of BMW’s EVs that options varied so-called moods as an alternative of particular driving modes, and people moods are chosen via the display screen menus. The moods modify seating settings like therapeutic massage, change the audio you are enjoying to suit their temper, and likewise remap throttle inputs and different automobile controls for both sportier or extra relaxed configurations. We’d most likely want conventional drive modes and driver settings, nevertheless, which you may get to, however with extra restricted performance and buried in menu screens.

Powertrain & Driving: New Entry-Stage Mannequin Goes A Lengthy Manner

As an electrical automobile, the driving expertise may be summarized by saying it is speedy. BMW has tuned the iX with at the very least 400 hp for even the bottom mannequin, and it is no slouch attending to 60 mph. The xDrive 45 trim can do the deed in underneath 5 seconds, and the opposite trims get dramatically faster. We drove a base mannequin first, and we actually cannot think about anybody stepping out of it needing extra energy, which you may get from the 2 different trims. Whereas we had a possibility to drive all three trims for a whole lot of miles, you’ll most likely want a check observe to really kind out the key variations in powertrain. On public roads and highways, it is tough to get anyplace close to the iX’s restrict, which is a praise.

The BMW iX begins out in its consolation temper as a default, which balances effectivity and efficiency, and offers you a relatively linear throttle when accelerating. In all of those temper modes, no matter you’d wish to name them, the automobile rides very planted, and by no means wallows, even when attempting to be comfy. It is also not on the opposite excessive of harsh, both. The experience is a little bit agency, however that interprets to whip-sharp dealing with in corners across the reservoirs of New York. The throttle slows a bit when in Eco mode; the pedal is pretty lifeless till you are leaning method into it, the place it then squirts again all the facility you’ve got been lacking. Sport lowers the physique, ups the Hans-Zimmmer-composed “pretend” sounds inside and outside, provides some weight again to the facility steering setup, and offers you the utmost assault throttle, which may be lots of enjoyable however is harmful round law enforcement officials.

These three modes can be found on all three trims of the iX. Within the xDrive 45, you’ve got loads of automobile. We genuinely marvel why anybody would suppose they want extra energy from a better trim, until they’re simply grasping or are keen to take it to a racetrack someday. In fact, upgrading to the xDrive 60 mannequin will get you much more vary – greater than 50 miles extra – so there’s different advantages to paying extra for that trim, as nicely. However the case for the M70 is hard in our eyes, because it’s costlier by a reasonably broad margin, delivers the bottom vary return, and we extremely doubt most patrons will ever use the complete energy obtainable to them. Nonetheless, it will do borderline supercar acceleration, and that is a little bit greater than a gimmick because it’s executed so nicely.

Going again to our previous X5 comparability, how does the iX stack up? Effectively, for these onboard with electrical efficiency, the X5 cannot beat the iX on efficiency figures or refinement. The one method the X5 wins is in towing capability and off-road skill, however we’re unsure anybody has even absolutely examined the iX in an off-road state of affairs. This reviewer has personally pushed the earlier era on a (restricted) powersports circuit, and it held up simply advantageous on sandy dunes and hills.

We additionally had loads of alternative on our drive as much as Troutbeck to strive the hands-free driving help function, which labored a attraction. You activate a particular cruise management mode, and as you carry your fingers off the wheel (when an inexperienced steering icon is indicated on the display screen forward of you), the system robotically prompts its auto-steer operate, letting the driving force calm down a little bit extra. It should additionally change lanes if it detects a transparent area and the driving force makes use of the indicator to tell it to take action. It is a fairly neat trick, and works as much as freeway speeds, however shouldn’t be meant for metropolis or native roads simply but. It is a part of a $2,550 choice dubbed the Driving Help Skilled Package deal.

Verdict & Pricing: Who Wants To Spend So A lot?

The beginning worth for the 2026 iX is $75,150, excluding vacation spot charges. The highest-spec mannequin asks for six figures, which looks like so much – you do get efficiency in change, however how a lot of it is going to be commonly used is as much as you. The flamboyant, non-compulsory M Sport Package deal on the 2026 BMW iX begins at $4,500, however goes up in case you swap your wheel alternative. That features M Sport brakes with blue calipers, darkish silver inside trim, the M multifunction seating with therapeutic massage and heating, the M steering wheel, plus the particular exterior (that appears method higher than the bottom mannequin).

The non-compulsory M Sport Skilled Pack is an addtional $950 and comes with pink brake calipers, darker Shadowline lighting, and full LEDs with cornering performance. A Premium Pack is on the market for $1,850 and contains the illuminated kidney grille (if it isn’t already normal in your trim), park assistant plus, and a head-up show. There’s additionally an Govt Package deal for soft-close doorways, the illuminated grille, glass inside management surfaces, the multi-function seating, an inside digicam, the LED lighting deal, the park assistant plus, and the HUD for $4,450. In the event you want ventilated seating, you must improve additional with the $1,600 Local weather Consolation pack, which additionally comes with four-zone local weather management.

The BMW iX is way over merely an electrical X5. It is a ground-up rethink of the midsize SUV. Whereas it does lean into sportiness, the iX is extra of an opulent beast than the X5 tries to be, with extra premium normal options and a future-forward inside that is vastly totally different from the older fuel SUV. It is a refreshing redo of a basic, however with supercar efficiency obtainable, whether or not you want it or not. If you may get previous the controversial design, which has most likely grown on most individuals by now, then it is a stellar bundle – it is also priced nicely earlier than tariffs hit in June, so act whilst you can.