The BMW iX1 is powered by not one but two hefty electric motors both making sure all 309 bhp and 494 Nm of torque gets used through BMW’s accomplished four-wheel drive system. The iX1 has an official range of around 421 kms via the 64.7kWh battery. Not forgetting that the iX1 weighs over two tonnes, the 0-100 km/h time is a sprightly 5.7 seconds.
Special mention : BMW know how to do interiors, high spec materials, great graphics, intuitive infotainment, Harmon Kardon stereo worth the extra. It’s more handsome than an iX3.
Needs work : The audio ‘enhancements’, while designed by a master of his art, don’t really add anything to the ambience of the cabin. The transmission tunnel takes away space from the middle seat passenger.
| BHP 309 hp | Electric / Auto |
| 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds | Road Tax €120 |
| Price: from €67,780.00 As specc’d €71,860.69 | Boot Space 490 – 1,495 litres |
The iX1 is based on a multi platform which means it was designed with both combustion and electric vehicles in mind. It can be topped up at a rate of 130kW and when charging using an ultra-rapid DC charger, you can go from 10 to 80 % in around 30 minutes. Using a home 7.4kW wall box it takes around 11 hours to fully recharge the iX1’s battery.
Standard kit includes an automatic tailgate, dual-zone air-con, reversing camera, LED headlights, 18” alloys, adaptive cruise, ambient lighting, 10.25” digital driver’s display and 10.7” touchscreen. The latest version of iDrive (iDrive 8) is installed as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Packed with useful features, the infotainment has sharp graphics and responds more quickly to touch inputs than the system in the Kia EV6.
Driving the iX1 is fun & engaging, the chassis does a good job of hiding its battery weight gain (don’t forget the iX1 weighs over two tonnes). The standard Sport leather steering wheel has high-quality feel with chrome effect, you get large thumb rests and multifunction buttons. An M leather steering wheel with three-spoke design is standard on M Sport models. Behind the steering wheel is a single paddle which engages ‘boost’ mode, allowing the two electric motors to deliver their full power for 10 seconds. You might notice a little wind and road noise but nothing that requires raising your voice or the stereo. Speaking of which, the excellent Harman Kardon sound system comes with twelve-speakers and a 100 watt amplifier.
You can interact with the infotainment via voice control, the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel and you can also see some limited information on the optional BMW Head-Up Display. The screens merge into a single unit behind one long glass surface. The crisp, modern graphics have been designed similarly in style to a smartphone, which means they’re intuitive to use. To operate functions on the furthest part of the screen can be a stretch so it may be easier to use the voice command system which works quite well. You can adjust the air conditioning, open a window or operate the optional panoramic glass roof and some functions of the driver assistance systems can also be voice controlled.
Visibility out the front is decent and is helped by the high driving position for good all round awareness. There’s a reversing camera for parking with front and rear sensors as standard. If you want a 360-degree camera you’ll need to pay extra for the Technology Plus pack. M Sport trim adds adaptive LED headlights, or you can also add them with Technology or Technology Plus pack. The bad news is the iX1 misses out on the rotary controller that we know and love, wth its satisfying spin and click guiding you to exactly where you want to be in the menu.
There’s a good range of adjustment in the BMW iX1’s seating and steering wheel positions, with the driver’s seat having lots of lumbar support. The optional Comfort Pack adds an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with electric lumbar adjustments, a basic massage function (it’s linked to the ‘Relax’ and ‘Expressive’ driving selections), and the seat memory settings.
In the front, the BMW iX1 has lots of headroom and the seats slide back enough to comfortably fit six footers. There are deep cup holders for large water or coffees, the door bins are a fair size and there’s a large useful storage tray underneath the central armrest.
Cabin space in the iX1 is similar to the petrol or diesel-powered X1 because its battery pack is stored under the floor of the car, so the room in the back is comfortable for adults. The rear seat backrests recline for added comfort and headroom is particularly impressive. It’s a shame there’s still a central transmission tunnel as it takes up that extra space for middle-seat occupants.
The iX1 has 490 litres of boot space, which is down on the 540 litres you get in a regular X1, but the decrease is all in the underfloor storage area, so most of the time you won’t notice. In any case, what remains of the underfloor compartment can still squeeze in a charging cable. Plus, the BMW’s capacity still trumps the 340 litres in the Mercedes EQA, or the 402 litres you get in a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Folding the 40:20:40-split which then expands the luggage capacity to 1,495 litres.
Justifying the price tag, there’s the slick infotainment and that BMW interior quality. It’s a shame BMW’s iDrive Controller is no more, now replaced with touchscreens and voice command and all the key buttons are on the steering wheel. The seats fold 40:20:40 which expands the luggage capacity to 1,495 litres. It’s big yet they’ve managed to make it nimble and enjoyable to drive which is a battle many manufacturers have yet to master.