BMW iX4: First Look at the 500-Mile Range Electric SUV Coming in 2026

BMW’s all-electric coupe-SUV future just came into focus. Prototypes of the new iX4 have been spotted testing for the first time, revealing a sleek, range-topping electric crossover that could deliver more than 500 miles on a single charge, according to Autocar.

We’ve been tracking BMW’s Neue Klasse transformation since prototypes began testing in southern France earlier this year. The iX4 represents the next phase of that strategy, taking the already-impressive iX3 platform and wrapping it in a more aerodynamic coupe body designed to maximize efficiency.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Here’s how the iX4 stacks up against its key competitors:

What Makes the iX4 Different

The iX4 takes the iX3’s already-proven Neue Klasse architecture and adds a steeply raked roofline that reduces aerodynamic drag. That sleeker profile comes with a tradeoff in second-row headroom, but the efficiency gains could push range beyond the iX3’s already class-leading figures.

Built on BMW’s dedicated 800-volt electric platform, the iX4 will share the iX3’s sixth-generation eDrive technology. The dual-motor xDrive system produces 464 bhp and 479 lb-ft of torque, launching the coupe-SUV from 0-62 mph in a claimed 4.9 seconds.

Charging speed is where BMW really flexes. The 400 kW maximum DC charging rate means a 10-80% charge takes just 21 minutes, adding roughly 230 miles of range in 10 minutes. That’s faster than any Tesla currently on the market and matches the Porsche Taycan’s best numbers.

The End of the Gas-Powered X4

Production of the current second-generation X4 ends this month at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. The internal combustion X4 won’t get a third generation.

Instead, BMW is betting entirely on electric for this segment. The iX4, codenamed “NA7” internally, will be manufactured at BMW’s new Debrecen plant in Hungary starting November 2026, with production running through June 2034.

Inside the Coupe-SUV

The iX4 adopts BMW’s Panoramic iDrive system, featuring a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen positioned below a thin driver information display that spans the width of the windshield. The new BMW Operating System X powers the interface.

Bidirectional charging is standard, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality. Your iX4 can power your house during an outage or charge your e-bike at a campsite.

Timeline and Pricing

BMW is expected to unveil the iX4 in the second half of 2026, with U.S. deliveries beginning in early 2027. Pricing will likely start around $65,000, positioning it slightly above the iX3’s $60,000 starting point.

For perspective, that’s $18,000 more than a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. Without the federal EV tax credit, which expired September 30, 2025, that gap becomes even more significant for budget-conscious buyers.

EVXL’s Take

BMW’s iX4 arrives at a fascinating inflection point for the German automaker. After years of building EVs on shared platforms with internal combustion vehicles, forcing awkward production pauses as recently as May 2025, the Neue Klasse architecture finally gives BMW a purpose-built electric foundation.

The iX3 already proved what this platform can do. When BMW engineers drove the iX3 626 miles on a single charge from Hungary to Munich without stopping, they demonstrated that Neue Klasse isn’t just marketing fluff. It’s a genuine technological leap.

But here’s the uncomfortable reality: technology doesn’t automatically translate to sales. BMW’s Q2 2025 EV sales dropped 21.2% in North America, and none of BMW’s current EVs qualify for federal tax incentives. The September 30 tax credit expiration fundamentally changed EV purchase economics. At $65,000, the iX4 competes against a Model Y that starts at $47,990, a gap no amount of German engineering prestige can easily bridge.

CEO Oliver Zipse has championed BMW’s flexible approach, offering EVs, hybrids, and combustion engines while rivals went all-in on electric. That strategy looks prescient as Mercedes and Volkswagen dial back aggressive EV targets. But flexibility only works if BMW can convince buyers that 500+ miles of range and 400 kW charging justify a $17,000 premium over Tesla.

The iX4’s strongest argument may simply be timing. BMW is launching a genuinely competitive long-range EV just as German automakers face an existential crisis from Chinese manufacturers. BYD and others have demonstrated that extended-range EVs can be built at lower costs with comparable technology. Whether BMW’s brand prestige and driving dynamics can command premium pricing in this new landscape remains the billion-dollar question.

What do you think? Can BMW justify its premium pricing with superior range and charging speed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.