[Jd19]

650-HP BMW iX Electric SUV Appears With Subtle Styling Tweaks (Car Buzz)

Arriving in March 2025, the facelifted BMW iX is showing off miniscule visual changes, but under the skin, we're expecting a lot more improvements.

The facelifted BMW iX has been spied in Europe, revealing the slightest of updates to its styling. Let's be honest: it's going to take a full redesign to make something sexy of the iX, but in the meantime, the changes evident here should at least make the electric SUV look more like a BMW product. The bumpers seen here are not the final design that will make it to production models, but the lighting units are, and that's where the key aesthetic changes lie. Other improvements are coming, too, with more power, more tech, and more range, but let's discuss the cosmetics first. The updates are slight, so get your magnifying glasses out.

Subtle Changes Add BMW Flavor

At the front, the headlights will no longer feature a pair of LED running lights running along the top of each brow. Instead, the front lighting units appear to be getting slanted DRLs in keeping with the language introduced by the Neue Klasse X Concept and its sedan sibling. This subtle change within the same housings as the pre-LCI/pre-facelift iX will keep the EV looking a little fresher without too many additional costs, but more importantly, it prepares buyers for the next-generation BMW X3 and its next-gen styling that all future Bimmers that follow.

At the rear, the translucent lenses of the current iX's taillights have been swapped out for red-tinted lenses. Again, this should make the iX look a little less awkward and a little more like other BMW products. Bimmers have almost always favored elongated taillights with a simple horizontal shape and an upturned flick at each end, but red tails will make this a little more obvious and give the iX SUV a little more character - something it desperately needs when painted grey. This is a remarkably good EV, and with slightly handsomer looks, it should have greater mainstream appeal.

Glowing Kidneys And More Power

According to internal leaks from reliable sources, the LCI BMW iX will arrive in March next year and remain in production until the middle of 2028. The same sources indicate that the iX xDrive50 will be replaced by the iX xDrive60, increasing output from 516 hp to 535. Higher up the ladder, the 610-hp M60 xDrive will be replaced by the M70 xDrive, with this set to offer a nice round 650 horses. And like several other current production BMWs, the kidney grilles will get the Iconic Glow treatment with backlighting that creates a distinctive nighttime signature. Range will surely increase, too, and we can expect some mild updates in the cabin. That's pretty much all we know for the time being, but if more information becomes public, we'll be sure to bring it to you ASAP.

https://carbuzz.com/facelifted-bmw-ix-spy-shots/

[exxxviii]

There is nothing else on the market now or coming in the next year or two that I like more than the iX. I could easily see leasing a 2026 M70 xDrive.

[Windshieldfarmer]

I suspect renaming the IX50 to an IX60 is way to impose/support a price increase on the IX model line. The additional horsepower looks good on the spec sheet but will have minimal impacts on driving dynamics. More range is always good.

[Pictor]

The Macan is a smaller vehicle but on paper it seems like stiff completion. The iX NEEDS a higher voltage battery. Badge inflation and minor tweaks to the appearance will not be enough to carry it from 2025 for another three-four years. While I wasn't expecting major changes like a shift to 800v, I have to say I'm a little disappointed at this news but it's still early. The iX is "okay" in terms of charging speed but thinking about what's just okay today will be slow in another three or four years. We should know more as we get closer to launch. My current plan is to replace my iX with another. But I am also open to downsizing to a NC iX3, or Macan, or even the Gravity to get better charging speeds as long as I'm not giving up on the refinement. Maybe the iX will get some real BMW seats too?

[Young04]

Originally Posted by Pictor

The Macan is a smaller vehicle but on paper it seems like stiff completion. The iX NEEDS a higher voltage battery. Badge inflation and minor tweaks to the appearance will not be enough to carry it from 2025 for another three-four years. While I wasn't expecting major changes like a shift to 800v, I have to say I'm a little disappointed at this news but it's still early. The iX is "okay" in terms of charging speed but thinking about what's just okay today will be slow in another three or four years. We should know more as we get closer to launch. My current plan is to replace my iX with another. But I am also open to downsizing to a NC iX3, or Macan, or even the Gravity to get better charging speeds as long as I'm not giving up on the refinement. Maybe the iX will get some real BMW seats too?

Totally agree re: charging speed. I'm seeing more 350kW chargers and we cannot take advantage. 800v architecture would reduce charging times to a bathroom break, maybe a few minutes more. Right now, my family stops for a bathroom break and we're waiting around another 15 or 20 minutes. I'm starting to tire of it and last couple of long drives, we just took our gasser.

On another note, a 3 row EV from BMW cannot come soon enough.

[Windshieldfarmer]

Originally Posted by Young04

Totally agree re: charging speed. I'm seeing more 350kW chargers and we cannot take advantage. 800v architecture would reduce charging times to a bathroom break, maybe a few minutes more. Right now, my family stops for a bathroom break and we're waiting around another 15 or 20 minutes. I'm starting to tire of it and last couple of long drives, we just took our gasser.

On another note, a 3 row EV from BMW cannot come soon enough.

I’m only 7 months into my lease but I’ve already decided I will return to a gasser if charging speeds and range don’t improve. Love the vehicle but it is a pretty big compromise when traveling distance.

[exxxviii]

Originally Posted by Pictor

The Macan is a smaller vehicle but on paper it seems like stiff completion. The iX NEEDS a higher voltage battery.

I happened to park my iX next to a Macan when I was getting the windows tinted. I was shocked by how much smaller the Macan looks compared to iX. It doesn't look like I could fit my road bike in the back without taking the wheels off. A friend of mine has a Taycan Cross Tourismo, and his is pretty tight to fit a road bike with the wheels on. It is easy in the iX.

I am in the camp that 800V cars will not matter much for a few more years. There are not that many 800V, high-speed DCFCs in the world. And an 800V car charges sloooooooow on a 400V DCFC. I think that in practice, until we see a huge improvement in 350 kW charger reliability and more Tesla V4 Superchargers, 800V might be more of a liability than advantage.

[Pictor]

Originally Posted by Young04

Totally agree re: charging speed. I'm seeing more 350kW chargers and we cannot take advantage.

We certainly can take advantage of 350kW dispensers. I know I do on a regular basis when away from home. I do agree that it's for only about 15 minutes into the session but I'll gladly take the bump in charging speed from a 350kW dispenser when I pull in at a low SoC. In those situations I'm moving on after about 20 or so minutes anyway.

Originally Posted by exxxviii

I am in the camp that 800V cars will not matter much for a few more years. There are not that many 800V, high-speed DCFCs in the world. And an 800V car charges sloooooooow on a 400V DCFC. I think that in practice, until we see a huge improvement in 350 kW charger reliability and more Tesla V4 Superchargers, 800V might be more of a liability than advantage.

Other than the Super Charger network, I really haven't run into many (if any) DCFC that don't support at least 920v. Most will support up to 1000v. You may want to look at the service plate on your local dispensers and I suspect it supports at least 800v. This includes older Delta or Signet dispensers. So 800v support is available just about everywhere outside the SC network today. I have run into dispensers that were amperage limited because of cable mismatch but even in those cases, 350A over 800v is better than 350A over 400V. Mind you the iX supports a rate of 500A but only at close to 400v currently.

[drbluedevil]

1. They missed an opportunity to reduce the kidney grille size. Then again, this is such a low volume vehicle, they probably can't justify the cost of retooling the machine that stamps these things out.

2. Looks like they didn't add framed doors. This vehicle sorely needs framed doors.

3. Agree with what everyone says about 800v. I suspect future battery tech will run off higher voltage systems to allow better DCFC, but I don't see them investing heavily in this one-off vehicle's LCI. (the battery pack is specific to the iX, right?) This will all get better as EVs mature.

[Louis_BE]

Originally Posted by exxxviii

I happened to park my iX next to a Macan when I was getting the windows tinted. I was shocked by how much smaller the Macan looks compared to iX. It doesn't look like I could fit my road bike in the back without taking the wheels off. A friend of mine has a Taycan Cross Tourismo, and his is pretty tight to fit a road bike with the wheels on. It is easy in the iX.

I am in the camp that 800V cars will not matter much for a few more years. There are not that many 800V, high-speed DCFCs in the world. And an 800V car charges sloooooooow on a 400V DCFC. I think that in practice, until we see a huge improvement in 350 kW charger reliability and more Tesla V4 Superchargers, 800V might be more of a liability than advantage.

The new Macan is longer then the ICE model and the trunk space on paper is not smaller, if not, it’s more when you count the frunk, but the sloping roofline will have a practical impact. I for one fell for the Macan, 2 EV’s, or maybe I sell the iX and keep on holding the ICE car a little longer, enough time to decide.

[NomoTesla]

It makes zero sense for anyone with an iX currently to trade for a newer one that isn't on an 800v architecture. The value proposition is nil.

[Pictor]

For folks looking for a different front grill, it looks like the i4 LCI can give a hint into what the iX LCI might look like.

https://cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/u...acelift-15.jpg

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by drbluedevil

1. They missed an opportunity to reduce the kidney grille size. Then again, this is such a low volume vehicle, they probably can't justify the cost of retooling the machine that stamps these things out.

Why would they reduce the kidney size?

Also, it's not a low volume vehicle by any measure.
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2024-u...ehicle-ranked/

BMW iX is the best selling large EV-SUV in US. (Main competitors are Model X and EQS both of which are behind by a mile) Also selling more than Mercedes S Class, G Class, all Audi sedans and EVs, X2, X4, X6, 7 series, 8 series, and many more other cars that you wouldn't consider low volume.

[Pictor]

I don't understand the infatuation with volume. That's a concern for BMW and its marketing team. Personally wouldn't give two $hi7s if my <fill in the blank> is high volume. I will enjoy a good burger (in the US) on occasion but I will certainly not go to the highest volume burger producer for that meal.

[frank70]

Originally Posted by Pictor

The Macan is a smaller vehicle but on paper it seems like stiff completion. The iX NEEDS a higher voltage battery. Badge inflation and minor tweaks to the appearance will not be enough to carry it from 2025 for another three-four years. While I wasn't expecting major changes like a shift to 800v, I have to say I'm a little disappointed at this news but it's still early. The iX is "okay" in terms of charging speed but thinking about what's just okay today will be slow in another three or four years. We should know more as we get closer to launch. My current plan is to replace my iX with another. But I am also open to downsizing to a NC iX3, or Macan, or even the Gravity to get better charging speeds as long as I'm not giving up on the refinement. Maybe the iX will get some real BMW seats too?

For many people - including myself - the charging speed is not all that important as some suggest it is. I understand that if you can not charge at home and only can charge at DC fast chargers the charging speed is really important. But for many - including myself - DC fast charging is something that is only needed a handfull of times a year on the occasional long road-trip. > 95% of all daily charges for most users will be AC charging at home or work, and for those couple of times a year who cares about losing 30 minutes extra on the occasional long road trip...

[HybridLA]

I wonder what model year iX will see the first NACS charging port. Any idea?

[Pictor]

Originally Posted by frank70

For many people - including myself - the charging speed is not all that important as some suggest it is. I understand that if you can not charge at home and only can charge at DC fast chargers the charging speed is really important. But for many - including myself - DC fast charging is something that is only needed a handfull of times a year on the occasional long road-trip. > 95% of all daily charges for most users will be AC charging at home or work, and for those couple of times a year who cares about losing 30 minutes extra on the occasional long road trip...

I agree. But that's also like saying 'who needs a car that goes faster than 85mph'. If you're driving a BMW then why settle?

Originally Posted by HybridLA

I wonder what model year iX will see the first NACS charging port. Any idea?

Not sure, but unless you're buying then it really doesn't matter. Eitherway, you're going to need an adapter for the next 3-8 years. The question becomes do you want a CCS1 to NACS adapter or a NACS to CCS1 adapter. And maybe a J1772 to J3400 adapter thrown in for good measure.

[exxxviii]

Originally Posted by Pictor

Other than the Super Charger network, I really haven't run into many (if any) DCFC that don't support at least 920v.

I probably should have clarified a little... I think most of the CCS DCFCs are 800+ volt. But few of them are high current. So, there are not that many 800V chargers in the wild capable at charging to the potential of an 800V battery.

However, with the transition to NACS and Superchargers, charging an 800V car on a V3 Supercharger is pretty terrible. That is why I think 400V is a little better all around for the next few years, until we have more V4 Superchargers and more 350 kW non-Tesla chargers in the wild.

[frank70]

Originally Posted by Pictor

I agree. But that's also like saying 'who needs a car that goes faster than 85mph'. If you're driving a BMW then why settle?

Sure, more is always better and faster improved charging speed would be highly appreciated. But would i trade in my current IX M60 for a LCI version if the main difference between the 2 were faster charging and a bit more range ? Certainly not (or they should give me a killer deal with a great price for my current M60, but that is - unfortunately - highly unlikely)

[exxxviii]

Originally Posted by Louis_BE

The new Macan is longer then the ICE model and the trunk space on paper is not smaller, if not, it’s more when you count the frunk, but the sloping roofline will have a practical impact. I for one fell for the Macan, 2 EV’s, or maybe I sell the iX and keep on holding the ICE car a little longer, enough time to decide.

I just read the Car and Driver review that you posted the links to, and I saw that is a little longer than the ICE version. Still - the ICE was a downright shrimp next to my iX. Back seat was kinda tiny. And the trunk space looked much shorter. It is not so much cubic feet comparisons, but how much depth to I get with the seats down. That dimension looks much shorter at my quick glance.

That said, the iX isn't exactly a cavern behind the 2nd row seats. We recently took a family trip, and I could not fit 3 regular sized checked suitcases (next size larger than carryon) in the back. So we took my wife's SUV to the airport instead.

[Pictor]

Originally Posted by exxxviii

I probably should have clarified a little... I think most of the CCS DCFCs are 800+ volt. But few of them are high current. So, there are not that many 800V chargers in the wild capable at charging to the potential of an 800V battery.

However, with the transition to NACS and Superchargers, charging an 800V car on a V3 Supercharger is pretty terrible. That is why I think 400V is a little better all around for the next few years, until we have more V4 Superchargers and more 350 kW non-Tesla chargers in the wild.

Even the e-GMP platforms can pull low 200kW off all those chargers and do so across the curve. Those e-GMP cars are 800v and limited to about 350amp which almost all CCS1 DCFC dispensers support. My own first hand experience in the North East, South East and South West with 800v cars has been great as far as 800v support goes. I have no doubt that the SC network experience would suck with one of those cars but there is certainly a benefit to owning an 800v car even today. I wouldn't trade an 800v car for a 400v car just to be able to use the SC network at some point in the next year.

[Louis_BE]

Originally Posted by exxxviii

I just read the Car and Driver review that you posted the links to, and I saw that is a little longer than the ICE version. Still - the ICE was a downright shrimp next to my iX. Back seat was kinda tiny. And the trunk space looked much shorter. It is not so much cubic feet comparisons, but how much depth to I get with the seats down. That dimension looks much shorter at my quick glance.

That said, the iX isn't exactly a cavern behind the 2nd row seats. We recently took a family trip, and I could not fit 3 regular sized checked suitcases (next size larger than carryon) in the back. So we took my wife's SUV to the airport instead.

They have almost the same booth space … 540L + frunk for the Macan, BMW iX 500L That is below the divider (the iX will have more if you remove that) 🤷*♂️ Looks can deceive …