BMW iX xDrive45 Drops the Drama, Doubles Down on Driver Appeal

The BMW iX xDrive45 marks a quieter, more confident chapter for an electric SUV that arrived with plenty to prove. The iX itself was something of a second go at electrification for the Munich brand, following the clever i3 and the striking i8 with a far more conventional bodystyle. Where those earlier cars were left to wither without proper updates, the iX has been treated to a proper refresh for 2026, with the line-up now slimmed down to a single xDrive45 specification that slots neatly between the previous xDrive40 and xDrive50 variants. The question is whether it still has a job to do against fresh rivals and against BMW’s own incoming Neue Klasse models.

The refreshed exterior dials back the more divisive elements of the original car without losing the silhouette that made the iX recognisable in the first place. Our test car arrived without the satin gold flourishes of earlier examples and looked all the better for it, presenting itself as a tastefully distinctive mid-size crossover rather than a styling experiment on wheels. The signature kidney grille remains, although it sits more comfortably on the nose now, partly down to the design refinements and partly because eyes have grown used to it. The optional 22-inch alloys wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber (275/40 R22) give the iX a planted stance, even if they feel slightly at odds with the more restrained look the rest of the bodywork is going for.

The cabin follows the same theme of grown-up restraint. Gone are the chintzy touches of the past, replaced by a tasteful palette and high-quality materials throughout. The crystal gear selector and iDrive controller remain as the only real splashes of theatre, while the rest of the layout is sensible and easy to live with. The widescreen infotainment runs wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and pairs with a full-colour head-up display, and the panoramic roof uses electrochromic glass that switches from clear to opaque at the press of a button, handy for blocking out harsh sun on long drives. The Harman Kardon audio kit delivers properly crisp sound, while a 60/40 split-folding rear bench and a power tailgate keep the practicality box well and truly ticked.

On the road, the iX xDrive45 still drives like a proper BMW. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 5.1 seconds, but the more impressive part is how composed and agile the SUV feels despite its considerable kerb weight. Body roll is almost non-existent, the chassis turns in eagerly, and the steering is accurate and nicely weighted, although feedback through the wheel is on the lighter side, as is typical of modern BMWs. The ride is firm without being uncomfortable, with a hint of brittleness over rough surfaces that comes with the territory for a heavy EV on big alloys. The brake feel is a touch numb, but the stoppers themselves are phenomenally strong once you give the pedal a firm press. The adaptive regenerative braking is a particular highlight, intelligently coasting on open roads and adding drag when following slower traffic to make one-pedal driving around town genuinely intuitive.

Ownership-wise, BMW backs the iX with a 5-year/100,000 km warranty, 3 years of no-cost servicing and 5 years of roadside assistance, with the latter pair offered on unlimited kilometre terms. Optional extension packages are also on the table. The iX xDrive45 successfully sheds the polarising image of the original car and replaces it with a more mature, handsome character that still delivers the kind of engaging drive that puts a grin on your face down a good back road. The arrival of the Neue Klasse iX3 will inevitably steal headlines and may well outshine the iX on paper, but the larger iX sits nearly 200 mm longer than its newer sibling and continues to fill an important slot in the family. It remains a properly accomplished electric SUV that simply gets on with the job.