2026 BMW iX xDrive45 Review

BMW is a brand that’s no stranger to an electric vehicle. Technically the first pure electric BMW was produced in 1972 for the Munich Olympics. Dubbed the ‘1602e’, this one-off carried a lot of weight in batteries, but didn’t have much range, so the idea was shelved for a few years.

In 1987, the Bavarian brand debuted an electric, front-wheel drive version of an E30 Touring. Based on the all-wheel drive 325iX, this electric wagon could cover 150km on a single charge. Seven years later, another electric 3 Series appeared, this time in the form of an E36 Coupe. With eight examples produced, it was the world’s largest electric vehicle trial of its time.

Fast forward to 2013, and BMW used all the data it had gained over the decades to launch its first mass market pure electric vehicle; the i3. And while it wasn’t lauded for its looks, the i3 proved to be a revolutionary vehicle in the electric space, paving the way for current models, and debuting a naming convention still in use today. Now, five decades after BMW first tried its hand at electric propulsion, it sells a range of EVs on the other side of the world.  

BMW’s current electric line-up in New Zealand consists of three SUVs, and two sedans. But the iX is the only bespoke EV in this line-up, without roots in internal combustion. The iX xDrive45 is the only model offered locally, which starts from $169,990. The M-Sport package is also offered as standard, adding 21-inch wheels, carbon black exterior accents, an M Sport steering wheel, and a Anthracite headliner. Optioning the 22-inch or 23-inch wheels will set local buyers back an extra $2500 and $5000 respectively. The same goes for any of the interesting paint options, with the BMW Individual frozen grey option costing $5500.

Optional extras aside, the iX is a proficient electric vehicle at its core, and the numbers back this up. It uses a 94.5kWh battery, which provides a driving range of up to 602km (WLTP). It gets an electric motor on each axle, providing all-wheel drive performance, and producing 300kW/700Nm.  

All this electric grunt is good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.1-seconds, which is nothing to sneeze at, but feels slow in the face of cheaper Chinese EVs that break the sub four-second mark. It can be charged at up to 175kW, which will replenish 70 per cent of charge in a reasonable 34 minutes.  

On the road, the iX drives as you’d expect a $170k EV to do so. It’s reasonably quick, feels extremely sure-footed, and provides an impressive level of luxury. Unlike the iX M60 that BMW used to offer locally, it doesn’t feel like a performance car, but more so just a luxury SUV that happens to be quite quick.  

Despite rolling on large 21-inch wheels, the ride offered by the iX is impressive. Our test vehicle was equipped with the optional $4000 air suspension system, which obviously goes a long way to improve how it handles. Even without this system, BMW’s non-M suspension tuning usually feels at home on New Zealand’s questionable roads, so I’m not sure it’s a box that needs to be ticked.

This new iX also uses some of the strangest door handles I have come across. Unlike the punishing flush door handles that seem to be in vogue currently, these actually have a recess. In saying this, there isn’t any sort of handle to pull, as once the car recognises fingers in this recess, it will unlatch the doors. And while this is slightly less annoying than the flush ones, I doubt emergency services are stoked with this design decision.

While the interior might not be to everyone’s taste, I’d argue it is where the iX really shines. Electric vehicle packaging seems to be something BMW is particularly good at, and the iX is a good example of this.

It doesn’t feel like a traditional car where things are packed tightly to maximise space, and instead feels more lounge-like. The seats are wide, and very comfortable, and the back bench seat feels like a couch. The front seats also have BMW’s strange in-built sensory sound system that will vibrate with the music. I’m not sure how many people will actually use this system, but it’s a fun novelty.

As this is just a mid-cycle facelift, there isn’t too much to look at with this new iX xDrive45. The increased range over the previous model is a nice addition, but I don’t think it’s the selling point of this vehicle.

Those looking for a big electric range with reasonable levels of luxury have a plethora of options from traditional and new Chinese brands to choose from. It’s brand confidence paired with peace of mind offered by the electric Beemer that will sell it. 

So if it’s German electric luxury that you’re looking for, not many vehicles do it better than this one.  

BMW iX xDrive45
$169,990  /  20.9kWh/100km  /  0g/km
0-100 km/h 5.1s
Motor  300kW / 700Nm
Battery / Range   94kWh / 602km
Drivetrain  Single-speed auto / e-AWD
Weight  2525kg