2025 BMW iX facelift debuts – new look, more power, bigger batteries; up to 659 PS, 701 km WLTP EV range

Over four years after its global debut, the BMW iX has now been given a facelift that brings with quite a number of improvements. In addition to a new look, the brand’s fully electric Sports […] The post 2025 BMW iX facelift debuts – new look, more power, bigger batteries; up to 659 PS, 701 km WLTP EV range appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Feb 2, 2025 - 11:17

2025 BMW iX facelift debuts – new look, more power, bigger batteries; up to 659 PS, 701 km WLTP EV range

Over four years after its global debut, the BMW iX has now been given a facelift that brings with quite a number of improvements. In addition to a new look, the brand’s fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) also gains upgraded powertrains and a revised kit list.

Starting with the powertrains, the previous xDrive40 has been replaced with the new xDrive45, while the xDrive50 is now the xDrive60. At the top of the range is the M70 xDrive which displaces the outgoing M60. The new variants boast better range and outputs thanks to a new inverter technology to optimise power density and retuning of the drive system. Here’s an overview of the newly facelifted iX’s variants:

BMW iX xDrive45

Front electric motor output: 258 PS (255 hp or 190 kW) and 365 Nm
Rear electric motor output: 272 PS (268 hp or 200 kW) and 400 Nm
Total system output: 408 PS (402 hp or 300 kW) and 700 Nm
0-100 km/h time: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h (electronically limited)
Battery capacity: 94.8 kWh net (100.1 kWh gross); lithium-ion
Range (WLTP): 490 to 602 km
AC charging: 0-100% in five hours (22 kW), 0-100% in nine hours 45 minutes (11 kW); former is optional
DC charging: 10-80% in 34 minutes (175 kW)

BMW iX xDrive60

Front electric motor output: 258 PS (255 hp or 190 kW) and 365 Nm
Rear electric motor output: 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) and 400 Nm
Total system output: 544 PS (536 hp or 400 kW) and 765 Nm
0-100 km/h time: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h (electronically limited)
Battery capacity: 109.1 kWh net (113.4 kWh gross), lithium-ion
Range (WLTP): 563 to 701 km
AC charging: 0-100% in five hours 45 minutes (22 kW), 0-100% in 11 hours 15 minutes (11 kW); former is optional
DC charging: 10-80% in 35 minutes (195 kW)

BMW iX M70 xDrive

Front electric motor output: 258 PS (255 hp or 190 kW) and 365 Nm
Rear electric motor output: 489 PS (483 hp or 360 kW) and 650 Nm
Total system output: 659 PS (650 hp or 485 kW) and 1,015 Nm (1,100 Nm with Launch Control active)
0-100 km/h time: 3.8 seconds, 3.5 seconds (with one-foot rollout method)
Top speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited)
Battery capacity: 108.9 kWh net (112.8 kWh gross), lithium-ion
Range (WLTP): 521 to 600 km
AC charging: 0-100% in five hours 45 minutes (22 kW), 0-100% in 11 hours 15 minutes (11 kW); former is optional
DC charging: 10-80% in 35 minutes (195 kW)

Looking at the current, pre-facelift iX range in Malaysia, the xDrive50 Sport packs 523 PS (516 hp or 385 kW) and 765 Nm of torque and delivers a WLTP-rated range of up to 630 km. The M60 is rated at 619 PS (610 hp or 455 kW) and 1,100 Nm and provides up to 561 km – both use a lithium-ion battery with a net energy capacity of 109.4 kWh.

As before, the iX uses a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle, although the suspension, damping and chassis control systems have been fine-tuned. Adaptive two-axle air suspension and Integral Active Steering (rear axle steering) are standard for the M70 xDrive and available as an option for the xDrive45 and xDrive60, while the M Sport package includes a sports brake system with blue calipers.

In terms of changes that are immediately obvious, the exterior of the iX has refreshed for a more modern appearance that is in line with BMW’s recent models. The redesigned adaptive LED headlamps now feature the signature “four-eyed” look in the form of vertical, slightly slanted LED daytime running lights, which are also seen on the iX2 and facelifted i4.

Non-M Sport (left), M Sport (right)

Meanwhile, the large kidney grille has been retained but altered to have a structure of vertical and diagonal lines like on the latest X3. The grille is completely closed off and gets an additional polyurethane coating that is said to have self-healing effect that removes light scratches within 24 hours.

Heating elements and a cleaning system are also part of the grille for the vehicle’s sensors, and if you’re wondering, BMW says the bonnet has no mechanism for opening by the customer, although you can fill in windscreen washer fluid via a filler under the BMW logo.

Things remain pretty much the same along the sides of the new iX, with rectangular wheel arches, frameless doors and flush-mounted door handles being returning cues. As for the rear, L-shaped taillights retained but the reversing lights, fog lamps, and reflectors are now integrated into the lower part of the bumper.

For the top-spec M70 xDrive variant, the rear apron now features an integrated diffuser element, and its front grille gets horizontal lines only. This is also included in the M Sport package which is being offered for the first time for the iX. Adding this option introduces more aggressive front and rear bumpers with distinctive air intakes along with M light-alloy wheels.

2025 BMW iX M70 xDrive

There’s also the M Sport package Pro that adds M Shadow Line lights and vertically arranged reflectors. The regular, non-M Sport look is similar to the previous Sport but without a black finish for the front triangular elements.

As you’d expect, BMW will offer plenty of options to customers. This includes one solid and nine metallic finishes, the Individual Exterior Line Titanium Bronze accent package as well as wheel sizes ranging from 20 to 23 inches.

On the inside, the iX comes standard with the Atelier design package which includes a hexagonal steering wheel, model-specific seats with integrated headrests and Sensatec surfaces. Other options are Loft and Suite, each with selected accents and controls in Gold Bronze, while the Clear & Bold package introduces a walnut wood centre console and controls in cut crystal glass. There’s also the M Sport package that brings with it a round steering wheel, anthracite headliner, M pedals and M-specific displays.

On that mention, it’s still a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central touchscreen on the iX’s dashboard, which looks the same as before. Infotainment is powered by BMW Operating System 8.5 with QuickSelect, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, BMW Maps, over-the-air (OTA) software upgrades, BMW ConnectedDrive, in-car video streaming, BMW ID, My BMW App telematics, an integrated eSIM, Digital Key Plus and Amazon Alexa support.

The now-standard Live Cockpit Professional setup also comes with a heads-up display and Augmented View function, while other available features are the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof and a 30-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

For those concerned about practicality, the iX’s boot space is 500 litres, expandable to 1,750 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench down. All iX variants also have a maximum permitted towing capacity of up to 2,500 kg.

Driver assistance systems include the Driving Assistant Plus package with autonomous emergency braking, lane change and departure warning, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, steering and lane centring assist as well as active speed limit assist.

The optional Driving Assistant Professional adds evasion assistant, road priority warning, wrong-way warning, active lane change, threading assist and a higher operational speed for the adaptive cruise control (210 km/h instead of 180 km/h).

For even more assistance, there’s the new Highway Assistant that allows for Level 2+ automated driving in markets that allow it such as Germany, the United States and Canada. With this, drivers can take theirs hands off the wheel (although attention must still be given to what’s ahead) and the vehicle will drive itself on dual carriageways with separate lanes at speeds of up to 130 km/h.

Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, along with Parking Assistant Professional are other systems that can make the driver’s life more convenient, and there’s the BMW ConnectedDrive store available to purchase upgrades.

With the new looks and improved powertrains, is the iX a more attractive electric vehicle (EV) than before? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

GALLERY: 2025 BMW iX xDrive60