Reworked BMW iX xDrive45 Blends Comfort, Range, Control Well

BMW’s first pure-electric SUV has been given a careful once-over, and the iX xDrive45 now takes the place of the former xDrive40 as the entry point to the brand’s electric SUV line-up. It returns with familiar avant-garde styling, a focus on long-distance comfort and a clear statement of how BMW currently sees battery-powered motoring, even as the forthcoming Neue Klasse iX3 waits in the wings. The question is whether this updated iX is still a serious player, or simply a well-finished stopgap before the next generation arrives.

On the move, the iX remains one of the most composed luxury EVs of its size. The carbon-intensive structure provides a rock-solid base, and when paired with the optional air suspension, it glides over broken surfaces without becoming wallowy. Steering response is quick and reassuring, giving this hefty SUV an agility that feels closer to a tall luxury estate than a traditional high-riding 4×4. At motorway speeds, it is impressively hushed and settled, making it a very capable car for long European journeys.

The electric hardware, however, no longer feels class-leading. Real-world range broadly matches its official figure and is entirely usable for everyday commuting and weekend jaunts, but rapid charging is off the pace. Rivals can add energy noticeably faster, while the iX asks for longer top-up stops on a DC charger, something keen road-trippers will need to factor into their plans. Efficiency is decent rather than standout, and that, combined with a firmly premium asking price, means some newer competitors may look more tempting on paper.

Inside, the iX impresses far more consistently. The cabin mixes leather, woven textiles, Alcantara and intricate crystalline switchgear to create a genuinely modern, lounge-like space. The seats are broad and deeply cushioned in both rows, there is generous legroom in the rear, and the boot is practical and well-shaped. Yet there are still odd missteps: a flimsy-feeling indicator stalk, awkward cupholder placement and an infotainment system that looks sharp but can be fiddly to navigate, with a head-up display that borders on busy when fully loaded with information.

Where the iX divides opinion most is still its styling. The reworked front end is less aggressive, with tidier lighting and a more cohesive treatment of the grille, but it remains a bold, somewhat polarising shape. In many ways, that sums up the car as a whole. The iX xDrive45 showcases BMW’s enduring strengths in chassis tuning, comfort and safety technology, yet its slower charging and a few cabin quirks stop it from feeling truly fresh against newer rivals. As a statement of where BMW has been with EVs, it is impressive; as a taste of where the Neue Klasse could go next, it feels like the final chapter of one story rather than the start of another.