The iX xDrive45 is the entry-level trim of BMW’s flagship electric SUV. We put its charging capabilities to the test at a 325kW Tesla Supercharger to see if its charging is as good as its range.
The 2026 BMW iX xDrive45 offers a 100.1kWh battery pack, and 94.8 of those kilowatt-hours are usable. The high-voltage architecture tops out at 332 volts, which is on the lower side. This setup delivers an EPA range of up to 312 miles with the 20-inch alloy wheels. In our testing, we noted that these EPA range numbers were actually on the conservative side, which is a common trend among most BMW EVs we’ve tested.
On the charging front, BMW says the iX can accept up to 175kW, delivering a 10 to 80% charging time of 34 minutes. To prepare for our test, we preconditioned the battery pack for over 30 minutes before charging and arrived at the stall with under 10% state of charge.
The Charging Curve
The BMW iX started strong right out of the gate; at 10% SOC, it was already pulling 167kW. It steadily climbed and hit its peak of 172kW by the 20% mark, holding that rate perfectly flat until 23%. While this is a strong peak, it is worth noting that we did not quite reach the manufacturer’s rated peak of 175kW.
Once it hit the 20% range, the car started a very slow, almost linear taper. It managed to stay above 150kW until it hit 37%, and it didn’t drop below the 100kW mark until it reached 64% SOC. By the time we finished the session at 80% SOC, it was still pulling a respectable 63kW.
The Verdict
In its entirety, the 10% to 80% charge took 36 minutes and 4 seconds, falling a little more than two minutes short of BMW’s quoted charging time.
Still, considering the iX’s impressive real-world range, you’ll be able to recover over 200 miles of driving in that 36-minute charging period. The iX charges fine, but we are looking forward to seeing what the new iX3 will be capable of when it releases later this year.