With the introduction of the 2027 BMW iX4, the Neue Klasse EV family is set to expand once more. The new electric SUV coupe is a case in point, offering a sleeker look to go with some formidable statistics. At the top of the range is the iX4 M60 xDrive with 603 horsepower, and the model can put up to 428 miles on the clock with 400-kW fast charging at its disposal.
The iX4 makes for an appealing option for those who want the utility of an SUV without the upright stance of the iX3; it is BMW’s way of applying its tried-and-true coupe-SUV approach to the newest generation of EVs. As the third product of the Neue Klasse architecture after the iX3 and i3, the iX4 will first be offered as the iX4 50 xDrive, with the iX4 M60 xDrive to follow in due course.
2027 BMW iX4 50 xDrive: 463 HP and 428 Miles
Standard all-wheel drive and a pair of electric motors give the iX4 50 xDrive a combined 463 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. BMW has a 4.7-second 0-60 mph time in mind for this variant, capping it out at 130 mph.
Power comes from a 112.2-kWh usable battery pack which, according to BMW’s own testing under EPA protocols, should yield a maximum of 428 miles. That is a preliminary number for now, but if it stands up to official EPA scrutiny, the range will be no small part of the iX4’s appeal.
This new battery is built on sixth-generation eDrive tech and marks a move from prismatic to cylindrical cells, an upgrade BMW claims improves volumetric energy density by 20 per cent. By making the battery part of the vehicle’s structure, they have also managed to add rigidity and shed some weight.
184 Miles of Range in 10 Minutes
Then there is the matter of charging. With an 800-volt architecture, the iX4 is capable of DC fast charging at 400 kW. Plug into a suitably powerful 800-volt charger and the iX4 50 xDrive can pick up 184 miles in 10 minutes; a full 10-to-80-percent session is put at around 21 minutes. AC charging is standard at 15.4 kW.
BMW has fitted the iX4 with a NACS port and Plug & Charge capability. The navigation will even sort out charging stops and precondition the battery en route to a DC station. For those that need it, bidirectional charging is an option via the Multifunction Charger for Vehicle-to-Home or Vehicle-to-Load use.
The M60 Brings 603 HP
If performance is the priority, the BMW iX4 M60 xDrive is worth the wait. The dual-motor setup here puts out 603 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 mph run of just 3.7 seconds, well ahead of the 50 xDrive.
It is not only about raw power. The M60 comes with Adaptive M Suspension featuring electronically controlled dampers and variable-ratio sport steering as standard. There is an electronic M Sport rear differential to aid traction coming out of a turn, and unique M styling cues including a rear spoiler for added downforce. It sits on 21-inch wheels as standard, though 22-inch ones are on offer.
In every way, the iX4 is a sportier expression of BMW’s Neue Klasse design. You will find a full-length panoramic glass roof as standard on the iX4, complementing its long wheelbase, short overhangs and the way the roofline slopes. BMW is quick to point out that the EV-specific architecture of this coupe-like design does not come at the expense of the rear seats; there is ample headroom and legroom to be had.
Then there is the matter of styling. The iX4 comes with the M Sport package as a given, which means 20-inch M wheels and a more assertive look are part of the deal. According to BMW, the body is so well streamlined it has a drag coefficient of only 0.23.
When it comes to color, nine options are on offer at first, from Eucalyptus Green to Vegas Red and Polarized Grey. A trio of Frozen finishes in Pure Red, Ocean Wave Blue and Space Silver will be added to the mix in March 2027, with some BMW Individual shades to follow.
A New Interface for the Instrument Cluster
The interior is where you will see BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive running on Operating System X. In place of a conventional digital gauge cluster, the BMW Panoramic Vision puts its data on the lower windshield. There is also a sizeable 17.9-inch central touchscreen and an optional 3D head-up display.
Built on the Android Open Source Project, OS X can be updated over the air and allows for a good deal of personalization in terms of layout, colors and even using your own photos as a background. Voice control has been upgraded as well; with the addition of Amazon Alexa+ AI and its large language model, the Intelligent Personal Assistant is capable of more natural exchanges and can pull up external media or cloud services in addition to vehicle functions.
“Heart of Joy” at the Helm
Driving the iX4 is a matter of BMW’s new Heart of Joy system. This integrates everything from the powertrain and steering to the braking and regenerative systems. BMW claims it is 10 times faster at processing information than what came before, so the components are in better sync.
In most everyday circumstances, the friction brakes are left alone for harder stops while the regenerative system does the work of routine deceleration, bringing the car to a smooth halt without any intervention. The dedicated EV platform ensures a low center of gravity and an even weight distribution, and xDrive all-wheel drive is standard across the board.
Highway Driving Without Hands
For those who want some assistance on the open road, the available Highway Assistant will let the driver go hands-free up to 85 mph, provided they stay attentive. The new Symbiotic Drive is meant to make the relationship between driver and machine feel more organic; one can put in a bit of steering or braking input and the system won’t just disengage.
BMW has set a March 2027 date for the iX4 to make its debut. The 50 xDrive version will start at $66,200 (before destination and handling). As for the M60 xDrive, no price has been put on it yet, but the performance model is slated to follow in stages. Both will roll off the line in Debrecen, Hungary, in the same facility as the iX3.
With an estimated range in excess of 400 miles and very fast charging, the iX4 is a notable entry into the Neue Klasse family at a mid-$60,000 starting point. The M60 should deliver the sort of performance an M-badged BMW is known for, all while maintaining the iX4’s long-range capabilities.
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