BMW’s flagship electric SUV is the BMW iX. It was developed as a technology showcase for BMW’s electric “i” range and as a large, purpose-built battery-electric vehicle rather than simply an electrified version of an existing X model.
The iX grew out of the Vision iNext concept, unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. BMW presented the production model in November 2020, and series production began in 2021 at the company’s Dingolfing plant in Germany. Its design, cabin technology, connected systems and fifth-generation electric drivetrain were intended to demonstrate BMW’s future direction.
The iX is often mixed up with the i3 and iX3. The i3 was BMW’s pioneering compact electric hatchback, launched in 2013. The iX3 is an electric SUV based on the X3, whereas the iX was conceived from the ground up as a dedicated electric vehicle. The “X” identifies its SUV character, while the lowercase “i” connects it to BMW’s electric sub-brand.
BMW has offered the iX in several xDrive variants, including the xDrive40, xDrive50 and later xDrive45, xDrive60 and M70 versions. All use battery-electric power and electric all-wheel drive.