BMW iX Sold Out in US as Neue Klasse Replacements Approach
The upcoming iX5 60 xDrive is expected to start at $79,800 with an estimated 435-mile range and 460 kW peak charging.
BMW’s first dedicated electric SUV, the iX, has essentially sold out in the United States for the 2026 model year, marking the end of a four-year run. The Munich-based automaker is now preparing to replace the iX with next-generation Neue Klasse vehicles, including the electric iX5, which offers significant upgrades in range, charging speed, and platform architecture.
What Happened
The 2026 BMW iX inventory is nearly depleted, with online auto research firm CarsDirect reporting that only about 10 new iX models remain nationwide. BMW’s iX landing page now redirects potential buyers to the new BMW X5. The discontinuation was confirmed earlier this year as part of BMW’s transition to its Neue Klasse platform, which introduces sixth-generation eDrive technology, new batteries, and an 800-volt electrical architecture.
The first Neue Klasse vehicle, the 2027 iX3 50 xDrive, starts at $61,500 and offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 434 miles, a substantial increase over the 2026 iX xDrive 60’s 364-mile range. However, BMW is positioning the upcoming iX5 as the direct replacement for the larger iX. During a recent media event in Southern California, BMW demonstrated that the iX5 60 xDrive can achieve a peak charging rate of 464 kW. The company states that this allows for adding up to 170 miles of range in 10 minutes and charging from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes.
Why It Matters
For buyers and the broader EV market, the shift from the iX to the Neue Klasse platform represents a major leap in performance and convenience. The new Gen6 eDrive system delivers 30% higher charging speeds and driving range compared to BMW’s previous systems. The iX5 60 xDrive features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 578 hp and 593 lb-ft of torque, capable of 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and towing up to 6,000 lbs. It utilizes a 144 kWh battery to provide an estimated 435 miles of range.
The iX5 also introduces a new interior design with a 17.9-inch navigation touchscreen and BMW Panoramic Vision, which spans the windshield. Unlike the iX, the iX5 will be the first fully electric BMW built in the US, with production set to begin at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina by the end of the year. Orders for the iX5 60 xDrive are expected to open this month, with a starting price of $79,800 and deliveries anticipated in early 2027.
The Bottom Line
The BMW iX is effectively gone from US showrooms, replaced by the more capable and technologically advanced Neue Klasse lineup. The iX5, set to launch in early 2027, promises significantly better range, faster charging, and domestic production, though at a higher entry price point than the outgoing iX.
