- BMW has released official pictures of a 2026 iX prototype ahead of its launch next year.
- The facelifted EV features an evolutionary design and adopts a new grille with angular lines.
- The biggest upgrades are hidden, with more efficient electric motors and improved efficiency.
Spy photographers have caught the facelifted BMW iX on multiple occasions, but the automaker is giving them a break by releasing official pictures of the updated EV. They reveal a handful of changes, but this isn’t a radical makeover.
Starting up front, there’s a lightly revised grille that adopts angular lines similar to the new X3. We can also see an evolutionary front fascia with a prominent intake that is flanked by vertical air curtains. They’re joined by a familiar hood and updated headlights.
More: 2026 BMW iX Gets Glowing Grille And More Power, But No Prettier
The rest of the design largely carries over, but some minor tweaks could be hiding beneath the camouflage. We can also expect interior updates as previous spy photos have shown a camouflaged cabin.
While BMW didn’t have anything to say about the facelifted crossover, the pictures were released in conjunction with a test drive event. BMW Blog attended and said the model has new seats, which are more comfortable than their predecessors.
Some of the biggest changes are under the skin as the publication says the iX has upgraded electric motors with new bearings and inverters. These help to improve efficiency and the improvements are aided by lower rolling resistance tires.
The changes reportedly help to make the 2026 iX 10% more efficient than the outgoing model. That’s before factoring in expected battery improvements, so it sounds like we can expect a significant range boost.
That would be a welcome development as the 2025 iX xDrive50 offers an EPA-estimated range of between 302 and 309 miles (486 and 497 km) depending on the size of its wheels. Those numbers drop to 284 and 285 miles (457 and 459 km) for the range-topping iX M60.