BMW unveils iX4 SUV with 428-mile range to counter Chinese EV surge

BMW's latest electric offering, the iX4 SUV, arrives as the third model on the company's Neue Klasse architecture, succeeding the iX3 and i3. The entry-level 50 xDrive, priced at $66,200, features a Gen6 112.2 kWh battery that provides an EPA-estimated 428-mile range, surpassing the Tesla Model Y. Its 800-volt platform enables up to 400 kW DC fast charging, replenishing 184 miles in ten minutes and achieving a full 10-80 % charge in 21 minutes via a NACS connector compatible with over 80,000 Tesla Superchargers.

Power comes from a dual-motor setup delivering 463 hp and 475 lb-ft, with a sportier M60 xDrive variant offering 603 hp and 645 lb-ft and a one-second quicker 0-60 time. BMW claims the new drivetrain cuts energy loss by 40 % and reduces weight by 10 % through a pack-to-open-body battery design. Additional features include bidirectional charging, an intelligent charging flap, Plug & Charge, and a panoramic iDrive display with heads-up-style projection. The model is positioned as a strategic counter to the influx of affordable Chinese EVs threatening European brands.