2026 BMW iX Gains 80 HP, 150 KM of Range, And New Styling

After five years on market, BMW is already offering significant increases in range and power, and is also freshening up the iX's exterior design for the 2026 model year.

In fact, the improvements are so significant that BMW Canada is changing the trim lineup for the iX in 2026. Gone is the iX xDrive40; hello, iX xDrive45. The most significantly improve of the three trims, this version now makes 402 hp and has a BMW estimated range of 502 km. Those amount to increases of 80 hp and more than 150 km (per Natural Resources Canada [NRCan]), respectively, over the outgoing, entry-level iX.

While the improvements are smaller for the remaining trims, they’re still impressive. The mid-level iX xDrive50 will become the iX xDrive60 in 2026, and will get 20 extra horses, for a total of 536 hp. Its BMW-estimated range of 547 km is an improvement of 50 km over the longest-range 2025 iX xDrive50, as estimated by NRCan.

Finally, the iX M60 xDrive is now being replaced by the iX M70 xDrive. The updated trim delivers a total of 650 hp, which is 40 more than the outgoing model. Despite the extra power, the automaker estimates that it will take the same amount of time — 3.8 seconds — to reach 100 km/h as the trim it replaces. BMW also estimates that, with a range of 486 km, it will go around 30 km farther per charge than the longest-range 2025 iX M60 xDrive could, per NRCan.

The automaker says that the biggest contributor to this improved efficiency is the use of silicon carbide semiconductor components. The iX is the first production BMW to use this technology and it ensures better energy conversion in the drivetrain while also improving temperature resistance. There were also some lower-tech improvements that helped make the SUV better, including weight- and friction-optimized wheel bearings and tires with lower rolling resistance.

Those tires wrap around new wheel options that are being introduced for the 2026 model year. The iX xDrive45 and xDrive60 come standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, but buyers can opt for 21- or 22-inch wheels if they so wish. For the first time, 23-inch wheels are also available on the iX M70 xDrive.

Elsewhere, the high-performance model gets an integrated rear diffuser. All trim levels come with a redesigned front grille surround that can be illuminated, and the DRLs have been reoriented to form vertical lines, as opposed to a horizontal line in the current version of the SUV. The smallest change with the biggest impact is likely the way the iX will be painted in 2026. Instead of finishing the majority of the lower portion of the body in black, most of the side of the SUV will now be painted body-colour, making it look larger and lower to the ground.

Speaking of the paint finish, BMW Canada plans to offer five new colours in 2026: Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Dune Grey Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Frozen Deep Grey, and Tanzanite Blue Metallic. In addition, iX xDrive45 and xDrive60 buyers will also be able to get Titanium Bronze Exterior trim.

Inside, the changes are relatively minor. The biggest update is the addition of the M Multifunction Seats. These are available as part of the M Sport Package (which costs extra in the iX xDrive45 and xDrive60 but is standard on the M70 xDrive), and feature a wider variety of adjustment options, including moveable side bolsters, lumbar supports, and shoulders.

Despite all of these improvements, only the entry-level trim will cost more than the model it replaces. The 2026 iX xDrive45 will have a starting price of $88,900 (an increase of around $3,600 over the 2025 iX xDrive40), the iX xDrive60 will start at $94,900 (a decrease of around $6,600 as compared to the 2025 iX xDrive50) and pricing for the iX M70 xDrive will open at $129,000 (a decrease of nearly $10,000, as compared to the iX M60 xDrive).

Production of the 2026 BMW iX will start in March, and the first examples are expected to be delivered to customers in the second quarter of 2025.