The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is the Bavarian brand’s first all-wheel-drive electric car in the premium compact segment. Can it deliver on the promise of luxury and driving pleasure?
On my last drive with the BMW iX1, the rain was coming down in buckets, providing perfect conditions to truly test a car. To make things even more challenging, I was on the road from Hermanus to Cape Town International Airport at 04:40 in the morning, with darkness all around.
Yet, instead of making the drive stressful, these conditions only highlighted the iX1’s remarkable sure-footedness on wet roads. The tyres delivered exceptional grip without compromising ride comfort, while the adaptive headlights provided bright, precisely directed illumination without dazzling oncoming drivers. But more on its driving dynamics later.
Build quality and interior
So, it handles well in the wet, but what about overall quality? In short, it’s exceptional. Everything about this car feels solidly put together, easily matching its direct electric rivals, the Swedish (well, technically Chinese) Volvo C40 and XC40.
The interior is dominated by a curved display that seamlessly integrates two screens: infotainment on the left, instruments on the right. Both are easy to read and visually appealing.
If there’s one minor drawback, it’s the floating armrest center console. It looks sleek but offers barely any storage. You’d struggle to fit a credit card in there, let alone a phone. That said, the armrest surfaces are pleasantly soft, providing a comfortable resting spot for my right elbow.
Accommodation
The seating position is well-judged, and cabin space is on par for a small SUV. The man-made leather upholstery feels convincingly premium, while adjustable ambient lighting enhances the upscale atmosphere. Meanwhile, the optional Harman Kardon sound system in the test car delivered excellent audio quality, rounding off the premium experience.
The rear compartment includes three full-sized seats that offer improved comfort compared to the previous X1. The 40:20:40 split rear seat backrests can be folded down or adjusted to expand boot capacity from 540 to a maximum of 1 600 litres. An electrically operated trailer tow hitch is available as an option.
Driving experience
What stands out is how effortlessly you can switch between Drive and Battery modes. In Battery mode, maximum energy recuperation is enabled through “engine braking,” where the electric motors act as brakes while simultaneously generating electricity that flows back into the battery.
The drive-by-wire gear selector toggle is intuitive. Its akin to a simple switch you push or pull with minimal effort.
Despite its hefty battery pack, the iX1 carries its weight remarkably well; better than the Volvo XC40 and C40, despite similar overall weight. The BMW rarely feels burdened by the battery, which enhances its dynamic driving experience. The cabin remains pleasantly quiet across various surfaces, reinforcing the car’s refined character.
Brakes
One criticism concerns the brakes, which can be tricky to modulate at low speeds, for example when parking the car. Sometimes nothing happens when you begin to release the brake, followed by sudden lurching that forces you to brake hard. Additionally, the brakes don’t always inspire confidence in their ability to bring this two-tonne car to a complete stop.
Exterior design
The proportions of the iX1 are somewhat unusual compared to its siblings. It’s not as well-proportioned as an X5 or the previous generation iX3. Some exterior elements appear disproportionately large while others seem small, giving it a slightly disjointed appearance from some angles.
The grille is typically oversized for modern BMWs, though this design element works better on models like the 4 Series where it’s tall rather than wide.
Despite its blunt front end, BMW has managed an impressive drag coefficient of 0.26, which is admirable for an SUV.
Technology and features
The iX1 comes equipped with BMW’s latest-generation iDrive multi-sensory vehicle experience, based on BMW Operating System 8. While not BMW’s most user-friendly system to date, owners should adapt with time, and BMW will likely continue to refine it based on customer feedback.
The test car featured adaptive (“matrix”) LED headlights, which worked well, though the cruise control isn’t adaptive – that would be an optional extra. The fully digital display setup includes a 10,25-inch information display and a 10,7-inch control display, with intuitive touch and voice control.
Standard equipment and options
The BMW Maps navigation system, a Sport leather steering wheel, intelligent two-zone automatic climate control and a rain sensor with automatic headlight activation come as standard in the BMW iX1. So four USB-C ports, two 12V power sockets and a far greater number of driver assistance systems compared with the old X1.
The list of optional features, meanwhile, includes the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Active Navigation, exit warning function and BMW Head-Up Display, as well as the Surround View.
Performance and range
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is the brand’s first all-wheel-drive electric vehicle in the premium compact SUV segment. It features two integrated drive units – one on each axle – delivering a combined output of 230 kW (with temporary boost) and 494 Nm of torque.
It’s quick
This electric all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction and directional stability in all conditions, including wet roads, allowing the iX1 xDrive30 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,7 seconds.
While outright acceleration times may not be the most relevant measure, they do highlight the car’s effortless ability to overtake long trucks or multiple vehicles in quick succession. The car’s top speed is 180 km/h.
Useful range
BMW claims a range of 413 to 438 km from its 66.5 kWh battery, a figure that proved refreshingly realistic in real-world driving.
The chassis and suspension strike a well-judged balance between agile handling and long-distance comfort. Despite being fitted with low-profile 20-inch wheels, the test car maintained an impressively smooth ride.
Buyers also have the option of 18- or 19-inch wheels, a more practical choice for those frequently navigating potholes or gravel roads.
Value proposition
At R1 245 000, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport is certainly not cheap. Interestingly, for significantly less money (R1 086 000), you could opt for the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 (pictured below), which offers nearly identical specifications. It offers the same acceleration (0-100 km/h in 5,6 seconds), top speed (180 km/h), power output (230 kW), torque (494 Nm), and similar range (399-433 km).
That said, BMW still managed to sell 66 iX1s last year, outperforming the Countryman SE ALL4, which saw just 30 units sold. For context, here’s a breakdown of BMW and MINI’s fully electric sales figures for 2024:
| BMW i4 | 28 |
| BMW i5 | 38 |
| BMW i7 | 13 |
| BMW iX | 73 |
| BMW iX3 | 221 |
| MINI Countryman SE | 30 |
| MINI Cooper SE | 69 |
Capable competitors
Volvo offers direct competitors to the iX1 with the XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus (R1 108 000) and the more powerful XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate (R1 298 000), which accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4,8 seconds.
However, the Swedes are less efficient and don’t manage their battery weight as well as the BMW, though they might offer better standard equipment levels. Keep that in mind when you play around with the car configurators on the BMW, MINI, Volvo Cars, and Mercedes-Benz websites.
At the latter, you’d find the Mercedes EQA and EQB – two additional alternatives to the BMW iX1 and MINI Cooper SE.
Verdict
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport is a compelling package that combines refined driving dynamics, solid build quality, and adequate range in a premium compact SUV format. While it has minor flaws like the limited centre console storage and occasionally tricky brakes, its overall refinement and competence make it a strong contender in the electric SUV market.
Though its weight can be felt and the brakes need improvement, it still feels like a BMW.
Rating
That said, value-conscious buyers might want to consider the MINI Countryman SE ALL4, which offers nearly identical performance and specifications at a significantly lower price of R1 086 000, with arguably more appealing styling.
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport costs R1 245 000 and scores 4 out of 5.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
