Update: ‘Design’ & ‘Interior’ sections revised.
Uncharacteristically, the BMW X4 underwent a complete redesign in June 2018, only four years after its initial release. Rumors now suggest that its production may cease by 2025. A fully-electric BMW iX4 is currently in development, set to replace the X4 and compete directly with the Tesla Model Y. Here are our expectations and what’s been reported on the upcoming BMW iX4.
On the BMW X4
In September 2022, BimmerPost forum member and reliable BMW source, ynguldyn, shared that BMW might have canceled plans for the third-generation X4 (G46). According to ynguldyn, production of the current second-generation X4 will conclude in November 2025.
Shortly after this, BMW Blog confirmed the news through its own sources, explaining that the projected sales volume was too little for BMW to achieve a satisfactory return on investment. In an interaction with Motor1 Italy in July 2024, a company representative stated that there is essentially no longer any space in the portfolio for the Sports Activity Coupe.
According to ynguldyn’s intel, a BMW iX4 is in the pipeline, planned for production at the company’s upcoming Hungarian plant in Debrecen from November 2026 until June 2034. Internally, the iX4 goes by the codename ‘BMW NA7,’ with ‘NA’ likely standing for ‘Neue Klasse.’ Regardless, given the SOP timeline, we can say with absolute certainty that it will be a Neue Klasse EV.
Design
The BMW iX4 should embody the brand’s upcoming pared-down design language, which will debut on the next-gen BMW iX3 in 2025. Clean, monolithic surfaces, offbeat lighting, and large window areas would characterize the sophisticated and bold yet practical exterior of the electric SUV-coupe.
Instead of a traditional kidney grille, the BMW iX4 should feature a 3D sculpture with vertically aligned and backlit contours. Black-colored horizontal glass surfaces may flank the kidney grille and integrate low-key headlights, with two slanted light signatures on the outer ends.
Steeply raked C-pillars, flush-fitted door handles, and a fast-sloping roofline would give the BMW iX4 a sleek look on the sides, while trapezoidal wheel arches and muscular haunches would set contrast and reinforce its toughness. At the rear, the upcoming electric mid-size SUV would have horizontally stacked, wide combination lamps that stretch to the center, and feature intricate detailing in the clusters.
Interior
The interior of the iX4 could be centered around reductionism, digitalization, and space efficiency. We expect no chrome or leather anywhere in the cabin, seeing BMW inclining more towards low-key opulence in recent models.
The dashboard could be a super-sleek surface mounting a large parallelogram-shaped touchscreen in the center and featuring BMW Panoramic Vision, an end-to-end HUD projecting information on the bottom of the windscreen. A new BMW 3D head-up display would complement the BMW Panoramic Vision, assisting the driver during active driving situations by projecting the essentials in their line of sight.
All the aforementioned in-cabin electronics would run on BMW Operating System 10. We think the UI of the iX4’s infotainment system would be swift and require very few inputs to reach desired functions. Cloud-based sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, multiplayer casual games, etc. are among our expected features of this infotainment system.
Specifications
Neue Klasse
The Neue Klasse era will herald the German automaker’s third-gen EVs, the first of which will be three models belonging to the mid-size segment that’s unanimously popular in BMW’s main global markets. The first will be the next-gen BMW iX3 (BMW NA5), entering production in July 2025, followed by the next-gen, global BMW i3 sedan and the first-ever iX4, both expected to hit the assembly line in November 2026.
Module-less, round battery cells
Neue Klasse EVs, including the BMW iX4, will have cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells similar to the Tesla Model Y’s 4680 battery cells. Part of the sixth-gen BMW eDrive technology, the new round cells will have two different sizes. The cells will vary in length but share the same diameter of 46 mm.
In addition to a format and size, the type of installation of the sixth-gen BMW battery cells will be new. BMW is planning to use module-less batteries in Neue Klasse EVs. In addition to confirming that it is eliminating the cell module level, the company has suggested it may use a Tesla Model Y-like structural battery pack, saying that “the battery system plays a key role in the body structure of the Neue Klasse.”
The new BMW round cells will have higher nickel content and lower cobalt on the cathode side and increased silicon content on the anode side. The result will be a more than 20% increase in volumetric energy density.
Rapid charging
With double the normal voltage of a typical battery pack used in current BMW EVs – 800 volts – the Neue Klasse EVs will allow rapid charging. They will be able to achieve a much higher charging capacity with a current of up to 500 amperes. While current BMW EVs allow charging at just 195 kW, the BMW X4 EV’s maximum charging rate on direct current could be over 300 kW. A 10-80% recharge could be as quick as under 20 minutes.
Range & performance
The BMW iX4 should come in multiple power-electric configurations worldwide, including rear-wheel drive variants with standard-range and long-range battery pack options and all-wheel drive variants with a standard-fit long-range battery pack. At least one of the RWD long-range configurations should deliver an EPA-estimated range of over 300 miles. In one of the AWD long-range configurations, possibly called M50, a 0-60 mph sprint should take less than four seconds. Both these configurations should be offered in the U.S.
BMW is developing the next-gen battery cells to beat Tesla. Dr Milan Nedeljković, the company’s production boss, told AutoNews that the American competitor “needs to close the gap with us.”
Production
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, located in Greer (South Carolina), USA, will start making at least six pure-electric models by 2030. One of these EVs will likely be the BMW iX4, for this region.
BMW Group plans to invest USD 1.7 billion in its U.S. operations, and USD 1 billion of that amount will directly go into preparing the Spartanburg plant for the production of EVs. The company will allocate the remaining amount (USD 700 million) to build a 1 million-square-foot battery assembly facility in Woodruff (South Carolina), just 16 miles away from the Spartanburg vehicle assembly facility.
Price & Release Date
We expect the world premiere of the BMW iX4 in 2026, with the first dealer-bound units for the U.S. arriving in early 2027. As for pricing, we’re expecting a starting price of around USD 65,000, with higher-spec models exceeding USD 85,000.
TopElectricSUV says
The BMW iX4 could be the closest alternative to the Tesla Model Y from the German automaker. For X4 owners planning a replacement around the mid-decade, the X4 Electric, with its significantly more space-efficient interior, lower running & maintenance costs, and noticeably higher performance levels, would make an attractive choice.
BMW iX4 FAQs
What is the BMW iX4’s release date?
The iX4 will likely start arriving at U.S. dealers in early 2027, following its global launch in 2026.
What will be the BMW iX4’s price?
We estimate the BMW X4 Electric to start at USD 65,000.
Which models will be iX4 rivals?
The Tesla Model Y, Range Rover Evoque EV & Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron will be the closest iX4 alternatives.
Featured Image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the all-electric X4 based on the current design language, for illustration.
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
