An Experimental EV You Could Buy
With its divisive sci-fi exterior design and a cabin unlike any other, the BMW iX was pretty much an experimental vehicle one could buy. It was first revealed in late 2020, and production started in mid-2021 for the 2022 model year. It was BMW’s first dedicated EV, boasting a unique platform and introducing several innovations.
Need examples? The Carbon Cage structure makes it relatively light, and the extensive use of sustainable materials in the interior further supports this. Also, its motors are produced without rare-earth metals, and it pretty much set the tone for BMW interior designs until the second Neue Klasse era.
Leaving the U.S Lineup
The iX was given a facelift for the 2026 model year, resulting in a cleaner look and important battery and software updates. However, the 2026 model year will be abbreviated for the electric crossover, as it will be the final one for the U.S. Its eventual successor will be the iX5. which will appear in U.S. showrooms pretty soon.
Sales are a likely factor, but the wave of Neue Klasse models means the iX will have to step aside for the new kids on the block. So for those who have warmed up to its space-age design, now is a good time to get one before it’s gone for good.
BMW
It’ll Still be Around Elsewhere
But while U.S. sales will end by the end of 2026, the iX will still be available in other markets. As reported by Drive, the electric crossover will remain on sale in the rest of the world until 2027. It was even said that it might still be available as late as 2028.
That means the iX and iX5 will coexist. Given that the two are about the same size, it will be interesting to see how BMW will pitch the older model to customers. It’ll be less expensive than the electric X5, for sure, but the iX comes with older battery tech, a smaller capacity, and less range. Perhaps BMW will be going on a discount spree to keep customers interested.
BMW
The iX’s Legacy
People had comments about its styling, and it wasn’t a massive volume seller, but the iX opened the door for BMW’s electric pathway. The technologies applied to the Neue Klasse were previewed in one way or another in the iX, further refining the recipe to give Munich its best chance to own a good chunk of luxury EV sales.
One could probably say the iX walked so the new iX3 and i3 could fly. The iX3 is proving to be a smash hit in Europe, while demand for the i3 has been so strong that it’s forced BMW to open its order books much earlier than planned. In terms of sales, it wasn’t a smash hit, but the iX makes up for it in terms of significance, regardless of what one thinks of its looks.
BMW
