BMW iX xDrive45: 402hp, 4.9s

BMW’s iX xDrive45 is basically the “base” version of its big electric SUV. But base is doing a lot of work there. This thing still makes 402 hp, still runs dual motors and all-wheel drive, and still gets to 60 mph in a claimed 4.9 seconds. The real story is that BMW has turned the iX into a more reachable luxury EV without stripping out the part that makes the iX interesting in the first place. (BMW USA; Edmunds; MotorTrend) ### What is the xDrive45, exactly? It’s the new entry point in the 2026 iX lineup. BMW reshuffled the range so the old naming gave way to xDrive45, xDrive60, and M70 xDrive. That puts the 45 at the bottom of the stack, but this is still a large two-row luxury EV with the same basic iX formula — big battery, dual motors, roomy cabin, and a very BMW mix of comfort and speed. (BMW USA; Edmunds; MotorTrend) ### Is 402 hp actually quick? Yes — especially for something this size. BMW says 0–60 mph takes 4.9 seconds, which lands squarely in “genuinely fast family SUV” territory, not “budget trim compromise” territory. Edmunds tested the xDrive45 and came away saying you’re not giving up much performance despite the lower output versus the pricier trims. That’s the trick here — the numbers sound like a step down, but the experience still sounds expensive. (BMW USA FAQ; Edmunds) ### What do you give up versus the xDrive60? Mostly headroom, not credibility. The xDrive60 jumps to 536 hp and a longer estimated range, while the M70 goes all the way to 650 hp and turns the iX into a straight-line monster. The xDrive45’s job is different. It keeps the shape, cabin, and tech story intact, then cuts the performance to a level that still feels strong in normal driving. If you’re not chasing the biggest number on the spec sheet, the 45 looks like the rational trim. (BMW USA FAQ; BMW USA) ### How far does it go? BMW lists the xDrive45 at up to 312 miles of estimated range. That matters because this isn’t a “cheap trim” with a puny battery and an asterisk. It’s still a real long-distance EV on paper. The xDrive60 stretches farther, but 312 miles keeps the xDrive45 in the zone where daily use is easy and road trips are normal rather than stressful. (BMW USA FAQ) ### How fast does it charge? DC fast charging tops out at 195 kW, and BMW says 10% to 80% can take as little as 35 minutes. On an 11 kW Level 2 setup, a full 0% to 100% charge is roughly 9 hours and 45 minutes for the xDrive45. That’s solid, though not class-leading anymore. MotorTrend’s take was that the iX still rides beautifully and delivers strong real-world usability, but charging speed isn’t the headline advantage. (BMW USA FAQ; MotorTrend) ### Why does this trim exist now? Because BMW needed an on-ramp. The iX has always been impressive, but it has also been expensive and visually polarizing. The xDrive45 lowers the starting price while keeping the core product intact. Edmunds pegged the new trim as a much more affordable way into the iX, and that matters as BMW gets ready for its next-wave EVs like the Neue Klasse-based iX3 arriving later in 2026. (Edmunds; BMW USA) ### So who is this really for? Someone who wants a luxury EV first and a brag-sheet monster second. The xDrive45 still has the weird-futuristic cabin, the quiet ride, the instant torque, and the big-SUV presence. But it avoids paying extra for performance you may never use. That makes it less of a stripped model and more of a smart one. (BMW USA; MotorTrend; Edmunds) ### Bottom line? The iX xDrive45 works because BMW didn’t confuse “entry-level” with “slow.” It’s still quick, still long-range, and still very much an iX — just with a lower barrier to entry at exactly the moment BMW needs one.