BMW has introduced the iX4, a coupe-shaped electric SUV that the automaker is positioning as a defense against growing Chinese competition in the EV market. The iX4 is a sportier version of BMW's iX3 and is the third vehicle built on the company's next-generation Neue Klasse platform, following the iX3 and i3. The iX4 50 xDrive will arrive first in March 2027, with a higher-performance M60 xDrive variant coming later that year.
The iX4 50 xDrive starts at $66,200, excluding destination and handling fees. It carries the same "Gen6" high-voltage battery as other Neue Klasse models, offering 112.2kWh of usable energy and an 800-volt architecture for fast charging. BMW estimates up to 428 miles of range under EPA standards, which exceeds the range of the Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling electric vehicle.
Both iX4 trims use a dual-motor setup. The 50 xDrive produces 463 horsepower and 475lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60mph in 4.7 seconds. The M60 xDrive delivers 603hp and 645lb-ft of torque, reaching 60mph a full second faster. An electrically excited synchronous motor on the rear axle serves as the primary drive, using electricity rather than permanent magnets. BMW says the system cuts drive-system energy losses by 40 percent and weight by 10 percent.
The Gen6 batteries use cylindrical lithium-ion cells measuring 46mm in diameter and 95mm in height, providing 20 percent more energy density than the prismatic cells in BMW's Gen5 batteries. BMW replaced traditional modules with a "pack-to-open-body" design in which the battery housing acts as the vehicle's underbody. The 800V architecture supports DC fast charging up to 400kW, adding up to 184 miles of range in 10 minutes and charging from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes. A NACS charging port makes the iX4 compatible with over 80,000 Tesla Supercharger connectors worldwide.
Inside, the Panoramic iDrive infotainment system replaces traditional gauge clusters with a heads-up-style projection across the lower windshield. A 17.9-inch central touchscreen lets drivers drag up to six widgets onto the windshield display. The iX4 also offers bidirectional charging with vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home capabilities, an intelligent charging flap, and Plug & Charge at 10 charging providers.
The iX4 includes BMW's "Symbiotic Drive," a Level 2 system that lets drivers adjust steering or brake without canceling automated functions, plus hands-free highway driving. Point-to-point assisted driving is not expected until 2027 at the earliest. BMW offers more variety than Tesla, whose lineup consists mainly of the Model 3 and Model Y. For U.S. buyers, the iX4 enters a market where Chinese EVs remain largely absent, and BMW is betting that range, efficiency and performance will draw customers.
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