BMW X5 vs BMW iX

Five versions of this midsize luxury SUV are available for 2026, all satisfying in one way or another. The 40i models cost the least but can be optioned with almost everything buyers could want. The 50e is a plug-in hybrid with 38 miles of electric-only range. The M60i and X5 M are the performance models, and offer a handful of desirable exclusive options, especially for audiophiles with deep pockets.

Verdict: Prices rise quickly with upgrades, but few luxury SUVs blend style, quality, comfort, tech, and performance like the 2026 X5.

The BMW iX receives minor styling updates for the 2026 model year, along with a reworked lineup that includes a much more affordable entry-level model and a more widely available M Sport Package. But the big news is the improved battery technology, which adds modest gains in power and range. These changes improve an already-appealing midsize electric SUV, but are they enough?

Verdict: The dizzying pace of change in the electric vehicle segment is how a likable luxury SUV such as the iX can seem like yesterday’s news after just a few short years. The 2026 BMW iX is competitive with the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, but pales in comparison to the Lucid Gravity and the Rivian R1S.