The BMW i5 also sees an increase in its range.
- The 2026 BMW iX xDrive60 boasts an EPA range estimate of 364 miles.
- That's one mile farther than the longest-range Tesla, which is the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive.
- The BMW i5 sedan will see a slight boost in range for the 2026 model year.
BMW Isn't playing games when it comes to enhancements for its vehicles. What may appear as small changes can be quite substantial beneath the surface.
The 2026 BMW iX xDrive60 that emerged at the start of the year With a somewhat bigger battery and multiple efficiency enhancements, this demonstrates that BMW is approaching the electric vehicle market with serious commitment. WhenBMW initially unveiled the updated model, iX It was predicted that its 113.4-kilowatt-hour (usable) battery pack would provide approximately 316 to 340 miles of range when fully charged.
It started off well, but the official EPA range of 364 miles per charge is an added bonus. This figure surpasses BMW’s expectations by 7%, making the 2026 BMW iX xDrive60 the most far-reaching electric vehicle in BMW’s lineup.
What Other Ventures Is BMW Pursuing Nowadays?
- BMW Sold Even More Electric Vehicles in the U.S. During Q1 of 2025
- 2024 BMW iX Long-Term Test: Insights Gained From Charging Issues
- In 2024, BMW sold more electric vehicles than both Audi and Mercedes-Benz combined.
- BMW’s Neue Klasse electric vehicles will have up to 560 miles of range.
Furthermore, the updated iX now leads over all others. Tesla In terms of driving range, the EV exceeds the updated Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive’s 363-mile rating by about a mile. In contrast, the only option available is Model Y Available in the United States, the Long Range All-Wheel Drive model boasts an EPA-estimated range of 327 miles.
In addition to having a somewhat bigger battery, the updated BMW iX features an enhanced inverter incorporating silicon carbide elements, along with better wheel bearings and lower-power-consuming headlamps. BMW claims these minor modifications resulted in a 10% boost in overall efficiency. The range-topping variant now boasts 536 horsepower compared to the preceding xDrive50 model’s 516 hp; however, the peak charging capability at 195 kilowatts stays the same.
However, that's not everything. The year 2026 will also bring additional changes. BMW i5 The electric sedan sees an increase in range throughout its lineup. The highest-range variant is the i5 eDrive40 equipped with 19-inch wheels, boasting an EPA-estimated range of 310 miles—a 5% enhancement over the previous model. Notably, the most significant upgrade comes with the i5 eDrive40 featuring 20-inch wheels; this configuration offers a driving distance of 300 miles per charge, marking an 8% rise compared to earlier models. For versions fitted with larger wheels or those incorporating xDrive all-wheel drive technology, the estimated range stands at 259 to 278 miles following a complete recharge, as indicated by the EPA ratings.
Lastly, several of BMW’s plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will see an increase in their AC charging rates for the 2026 models in the U.S. market. The 550e Drive, X5 xDrive50e, and M5 are now capable of charging at a peak rate of 11 kW, which is an improvement from the earlier 7.4 kW limit.