BMW iX4 electric coupe SUV revealed with 828km range

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The BMW iX4 has raised the benchmark for EV ranges with a 828km WLTP, though the coupe SUV will cost up to $14,000 more than its iX3 twin.

This is BMW’s first ever iX4 and follows the body-style set-up of the X3 and X4 combustion SUV pair.

The iX4 shares its length, width and wheelbase with the iX3 – as well as its ‘Neue Klasse’ 800-volt platform – but its sloping roofline lowers its height by four centimetres.

With its more slippery shape – a 0.23 coefficient of drag versus the iX3’s still-impressive 0.24 – the iX4 improves battery range. 

The iX4 50 xDrive comes with a WLTP range of 828 kilometres, a gain of 23km over the equivalent iX3. The entry iX4 40 xDrive can travel up to 638km based on its WLTP rating – a smaller advantage of 3km.

BMW Australia has announced a $103,900 starting price for the iX4 that arrives in the first quarter of 2027.

It’s a relatively steep premium over the $89,900 base iX3, though the iX4 40 xDrive adds all-wheel drive through an additional, front motor (the iX3 40 is a single-motor rear driver) and adaptive suspension.

The extra electric motor gives the iX4 40 a 40kW/20Nm bump over the iX3 40 – for total outputs of 275kW and 520Nm. This lowers the coupe SUV’s 0-100km/h to 5.6 seconds, three-tenths quicker than the iX3.

The iX4 50 xDrive costs $10,000 more than the technically identical iX3, priced from $119,900 before on-road costs. The 345kW/645Nm models share a 0-100km/h claim of 4.9 seconds. 

An iX4 M60 flagship is due in 2027, along with an iX3 M60 that goes into production in March next year.

Aside from the adaptive M suspension, the iX4’s standard equipment appears to mirror iX3 features.

These include BMW’s Panoramic Vision lower-windscreen projection display, panoramic glass sunroof, 3D head-up display, 17.9-inch centre infotainment display, and Harmon Kardon audio system.

The iX4’s lower roofline shrinks boot capacity by 30 litres – 490L versus the iX3’s 520L volume. Both SUVs feature a 58-litre frunk under the bonnet.

OPINION: CHASING CARS SAYS

As with the X6 and X4 – coupe-style SUV twins to the X5 and X3, respectively – the iX4 trades practicality for design and costs more, so it will be a choice to be made by the heart rather than the head.

The sloped roof reduces practicality compared to the regular SUV models, but the iX4 does bring adaptive suspension that was a surprise omission on the iX3.