BMW iX4: The Sleeker Electric Coupe-SUV Joins the Neue Klasse Line
BMW has confirmed that the iX4, a coupe-styled electric SUV, will join its Neue Klasse line as a sleeker counterpart to the iX3. The 50 xDrive arrives first, with the more powerful M60 xDrive following later in 2027. The iX4 swaps a slice of practicality for a profile that cuts through the air more cleanly than anything else in its class, and BMW is quoting a drag coefficient of 0.23 against the iX3’s 0.24. That slippery shape is doing real work: BMW claims up to 428 miles of range from a 112kWh battery, plus 603bhp in flagship M60 form. It is a combination that invites comparison with the Porsche Macan EV and the Mercedes GLC, and it raises the familiar question about coupe-SUVs in electric form. Does the style justify the sacrifice?
Powertrains and performance
Two dual-motor powertrains will be offered. The iX4 50 xDrive arrives at launch with 463bhp, matching its iX3 sibling, while the M60 xDrive follows later in 2027 with 603bhp. BMW quotes up to 428 miles of range on the European WLTP cycle and the ability to add 184 miles in ten minutes when hooked up to a suitably fast charger.
The competitive picture is genuinely interesting. Car and Driver tested the 509bhp Porsche Macan EV 4S at a 3.6-second 0-60mph time, while Mercedes-Benz claims the GLC300+ manages 5.9 seconds, with Car and Driver estimating the more potent GLC 4Matic at around 4.0 seconds. BMW has not published acceleration figures for the iX4, but the iX3 50 xDrive suggests the chassis has the measure of its powertrain. Car and Driver has driven that car and praised its acceleration, braking and body control.
That is the quiet advantage of the coupe treatment. Lower drag does not just flatter the range figure; it reduces the effort required at motorway speeds, which is where most electric SUVs burn through their reserves fastest. If the iX4 delivers on its 428-mile claim in real-world conditions, it will comfortably out-distance both of its German rivals on a single charge.
Battery, range and charging
The 112kWh pack supplies both motors. Charging peaks at a claimed 400kW, enough for up to 184 miles in ten minutes provided you can find a DC charger that can supply it. A 15.4kW onboard charger is standard, and bi-directional charging is fitted across the range, allowing owners to run home devices from the car’s battery.
That last point matters more than it once did. Vehicle-to-load capability is becoming a genuine differentiator as more households look at how an EV fits around home energy use, and BMW including it as standard rather than burying it in an options list is a sensible call.
The 428-mile figure and 400kW charging claim are European WLTP figures. EPA estimates for the US market are not yet available. European WLTP figures typically read higher than EPA testing, so expect a loftier official number in Europe.
Towing and practicality
BMW quotes a 4,400lb maximum tow rating for the iX4, identical to its petrol-powered X4 cousin. That figure is a US-market rating; UK and European towing limits are not yet confirmed. For context, Mercedes says the GLC400 can tow up to 5,291lb when properly equipped, so the BMW gives away a little here. It is worth remembering that towing dramatically reduces range in any electric vehicle, and a 4,400lb trailer behind a 112kWh pack will test the iX4’s reserves on a long motorway run.
The coupe roofline takes its toll inside. Rear legroom and hip room match the iX3, but rear headroom is reduced, and while the cargo area footprint mimics its sibling, the raked backlight cuts into usable load space. Buyers who regularly carry tall rear passengers or fill the boot to the roof will want to compare the two side by side before committing.
Interior and technology
The cabin centres on a 17.9-inch infotainment screen running BMW System X software, paired with a dash-spanning panoramic display. A 3D head-up display is available. The Harman Kardon audio system supports Dolby Atmos, offered on the 50 and fitted as standard to the M60.
Base interiors get power-adjustable faux leather seats, with numerous colour options and genuine leather available. Massaging seats are optional. The M60 upgrades to sport seats with optional power adjustment, and while an M Sport steering wheel is standard in the 50, the M60 adds a red centre stripe and shift paddles. A panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting are standard across the range.
A digital premium package bundles security features, and in the M60 it unlocks access to technical and performance data apps. All models include driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, with a more advanced adaptive system also offered.
What’s still unknown
Pricing remains unconfirmed, official cargo measurements have not been released, and no journalist has yet driven the iX4, so every performance claim rests on BMW’s own estimates and the strength of the iX3, which has already impressed testers. The iX3’s showing is the most useful guide available. If BMW has carried over its chassis tuning and refinement while shaving drag and adding power, the iX4 should be a compelling thing. But the gap between a manufacturer’s range claim and a real-world motorway figure can be substantial, and the coupe body style’s practical compromises will not suit everyone.
The petrol alternative
For buyers not ready to move to electric, the combustion-engined X4 offers similar coupe-SUV style with none of the charging considerations. It is the same formula that has kept coupe-SUVs popular for over a decade, and BMW knows its audience well. The iX4’s case rests on whether 0.23 Cd, 428 miles and 603bhp in M60 form add up to a better ownership proposition than the iX3’s extra headroom and boot space. On paper, BMW has built a convincing argument. The drive will settle it.
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