The 2026 BMW iX is the Bavarian company’s opportunity to refresh what was already one of the most compelling luxury electric SUVs on the market. While its bold ‘monolithic’ exterior and signature vertical kidney grille continue to spark debate, what can’t be denied is its driveability, its performance figures; and also, its class-leading technology.
BMW has sharpened the iX for 2026 by delivering more of everything: more range—now reaching an impressive 364 miles in xDrive60 trim—and significantly more power, with the entry-level xDrive45 now pushing over 400 horsepower.
Inside, the cabin remains a benchmark for lounge-like luxury, blending sustainable materials with the intuitive iDrive 8.5 system. Whether you are seeking the brutal 659-hp performance of the M70 or the supreme serenity of a silent highway cruiser, the 2026 iX proves that BMW’s electric flagship is hitting its stride, balancing avant-garde design with uncompromising engineering.
I was lucky enough to spend a few days with a ’60′ thanks to Bavarian BMW to see if the iX really is still a class leader.
My car came with optional Frozen Grey paint, an expensive £3,000 option, but it looked phenomenal with the black 22-inch wheel. The range kicks off at almost £75,000 so this is an expensive car, but like most EVs there are deals to be had with frequent PCPs and leasing offers, so this car might not be so far out of reach, particularly on the used market.
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As a tech journalist, I was thrilled to explore what cutting-edge technology was aboard and just seconds after taking my seat I was taken aback with a sound system of the ages.
This is perhaps the best vehicle audio system I have ever heard
— Glenn Kelly
Harman/Kardon were drafted in to supply the standard sound system, but this is a system that is in no ways standard. IconicSounds Electric, is a sonic landscape created in collaboration with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer.
Zimmer has created different sounds to mimic driving modes, such as Sport mode that sounds like you are about to lift off into space, and a demonstration mode that literally shakes your seat with the use of subwoofers in the floor.
Sure, the noise while you accelerate is a bit gimmicky, but my five-year old thought it was amazing and there is no denying this is perhaps the best vehicle audio system I have ever heard.
The performance of the 60is truly breathtaking. With over 500bhp on tap, 0-60 comes up in a smidge over four seconds and it is a pleasure to experience. There is no denying that this is a car in excess of two tonnes however, and for me imagining the car as a rapid GT cruiser rather than a svelte track racer would be a fair understanding.
If you do go down the odd backroad, you need not worry about those pesky stone chips as the iX comes with a ‘Self-Healing Grille’, whereby the vertical kidney grille acts as a radar shield coated in polyurethane that can ‘heal’ minor stone chips and scratches when exposed to heat. Pretty trick, right?
Back inside, the iX features BMW’s latest iDrive software, anchored by a sweeping Curved Display that integrates a 12.3-inch driver cluster with a 14.9-inch infotainment hub.
The hardware is undeniably impressive, boasting crisp resolution and ultra-responsive touch inputs alongside seamless wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the expansive ‘All Apps’ menu can feel cluttered and daunting to navigate at speed, BMW maintains a crucial ergonomics edge by retaining the physical rotary controller. This tactile dial allows for intuitive, eyes-on-the-road adjustments that feel far safer than hunting through sub-menus on a touchscreen while driving.
It is not difficult getting comfortable in some superb racing seats that are fully electrified and once in place you will notice the head-up display in front of you that is crisp and informative as well as being easy to read, thanks to a lower, minimalist dash.
The tech doesn’t stop in front and below the driver, in fact if you opt for the ‘Sky Lounge’ pack it is also above you. This is the largest single-piece glass roof ever fitted to a BMW, and it completely ditches the traditional mechanical fabric sunshade in favour of futuristic liquid crystals.
The roof uses Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology. Essentially, a film of liquid crystals is sandwiched between two layers of glass that allows the user to flick between a transparent and fully opaque screen, perfect for all our sunny days…
Not only is the iX a tech-fest but it is a perfect family car. Measuring over 4.9m in length, there is a cavernous rear accommodation for passengers as well as a boot offering 500 litres, which is not class leading but appears larger in the flesh.
With a real-world range in excess of 300 miles in winter, expect even more when the weather warms up and I think you can safely say you can forget about your range anxiety.
Insurance costs will be high, so factor that in, as will road tax as the car is priced over £40k. But, servicing should only have to take place every two years due to EVs having fewer moving parts. Overall, the iX is a car that does a lot of things right, and few wrong.
Rating: 5/5
For further details please visit Bavarianbmw.co.uk
