The opening BMW iX4 has been spotted on public streets for the first time, ahead of its official reveal later this year and is expected to arrive in Australia in 2027.
A competitor to the best-selling Tesla Model Y and the Porsche Macan Electric, the all-new hatchback luxury electric SUV will be the second model based on BMW’s popular Neue Klasse (EV) electric vehicle platform, which the German premium automaker reportedly spent €10 billion (A$17 billion) to develop following the debut of the new iX3 at the Munich Motor Show in September 2025.
While the iX3 is confirmed for Australian showrooms from mid-2026, the iX4 is not yet officially locked to BMW’s local offering, although it is expected to land here in 2027 following its global reveal later this year.
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Both midsize electric SUV models are part of a major product offensive from BMW, which has promised to launch 40 new or updated models worldwide by 2028.
The iX4 is expected to bring the iX3’s new technologies while sharing its brand new 800-volt electrical architecture. However, as these images show, it features a much sportier, more sloping roofline and rear design than both the iX3 and existing X4.
These spy images show the iX4 with the same nose, flush door handles and side skirts as the iX3, but paired with a more curved roofline and, interestingly, a covered C-pillar area behind the rear doors.
This reflects the ratio between the X3 and mid-size SUVs currently sold in Australia
As such, the iX4 is expected to lose some of the new iX3’s cargo space, which is 520 to 1750 liters, and is also expected to command a higher price than the iX3, which is expected to start at around $120,000 when launched in Australia.
The interior of the iX4 is also said to be very similar to the iX3, including BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive infotainment system, which includes a 43.3-inch display across the entire windshield base, as well as a head-up display and a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with BMW Operating System X.
The iX4 is also expected to use the same electric powertrains as the iX3, which has been confirmed in a single model grade for its Australian launch – the iX3 50 xDrive – with a dual-motor electric powertrain producing 345kW of power and 645Nm of torque, paired with a 108kWh battery and a range of up to 805km.
BMW has also confirmed it will introduce a cheaper, entry-level, rear-wheel drive variant of the iX3 in Australia in 2027, while a sportier M60 flagship may follow later in the iX3’s – and subsequently the iX4’s – lifecycle.
The more compact iX1 small electric SUV was also spotted in testing late last year and will follow the same New Class design direction as the iX3 and iX4. It is expected to be unveiled in 2027, with Australian availability expected in 2028 or 2029.
The current iX1 was BMW Australia’s best-selling electric vehicle in 2025, finishing just outside the top 10 most popular electric vehicles overall, while BMW was the fifth best-selling electric vehicle brand afterwards Tesla, BYD, Light up And MG.
BMW is also preparing to unveil the first i3 sedan to be sold alongside the popular i4 midsize electric fastback, and has confirmed the development of both an electric and combustion-powered version of its iconic M3 sports sedan, based on two separate platforms.
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