BMW It has never built a compact electric SUV before, but with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus rapidly developing smaller, battery-powered models, the German company’s hand has been forced.
That’s why there’s a new one. iX1 To stand alongside more conventional petrol, diesel, and hybrid versions of BMW’s all-new family SUV. It will be in Australia in the meantime. First quarter of 2023.
Offering customers a modern design and some fancy new technology, as well as a powerful and efficient electric powertrain, the iX1 is here to challenge electric. Volvo XC40 Recharge And GLA- Based on Mercedes-Benz EQA.
Can the Bavarian SUV really stand out in such an illustrious company?
How much does the BMW iX1 cost?
Pricing for the BMW iX1 has not been confirmed for Australia, but Regular gasoline limit Starts at $53,900 before on-road costs and expands to $65,900 before on-road costs.
Expect to pay a premium for the iX1 over the petrol range, although it’s not confirmed how much it will cost.
The iX1 will go head-to-head with it. Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric ($72,990 to $79,990) and Mercedes-Benz EQA ($78,513 to $96,900) with Tesla Model Y ($72,300 to $96,700). All prices are exclusive of on-road costs.
What is the BMW iX1 like inside?
Inside, the iX1 is more or less identical to the petrol and diesel X1s, with a clean design and a curved display on the dashboard. It’s a luxurious, modern place to sit, with lots of chrome-effect trim and screens dominating the proceedings.
Underneath, there’s a huge cubby hole with wireless charging and a sort of safety bar to keep your phone in place, while a floating center console provides a home for the toggle-style drive selector.
If it all sounds familiar, that’s because it’s more or less identical to the modern cabin. 2 Series Active Tourer – MPV with which the new X1 range shares a lot. Despite the difference in purpose, the architecture is also largely the same.
As with the 2 Series Active Tourer, the X1 and iX1 offer undeniable quality, both in terms of the content on show and the way they’re put together.
Everything feels well-engineered and built to last, while the cabin is trimmed in soft leather and tactile, durable plastics.
But the highlight is the curved display that covers the driver’s side of the dashboard. Consisting of two large screens linked together, the system contains all the information drivers and passengers need.
The digital instrument display is a particular success, thanks to its clear and easily configured output, but both screens impress with their resolution and design.
It’s a shame the iX1 doesn’t get the same iDrive rotary controller as its predecessor – or the recently updated one. 3 series – but that shouldn’t detract from the quality of the new infotainment system.
The sharp display and quick response to inputs already make it one of the best in the business, while logical menus and easily accessible settings put it over the top. Only Volvo’s Google-based screens are in the same league.
It’s a good thing the infotainment is good, though, as BMW has done away with most of the traditional switchgear. Even the heater controls have been moved into the screen, with a small taskbar at the bottom to house the settings.
Simple tasks, like changing the temperature, are still easily accessible, but more complex tricks are a bit lighter than they could be.
All that said, the iX1 is still relatively ergonomic and very practical, with plenty of space in the back and a 490 liters The bot offers more than enough capacity for most users’ needs.
The base, petrol-powered X1 has 50 liters more cargo space, but the iX1’s boot is still bigger than a Mercedes-Benz EQA or Volvo XC40 Recharge.
What’s under the bonnet?
Currently, the iX1 is only offered with a high-performance all-wheel drive powertrain that wears the xDrive30 badge.
That system integrates one. 64.7kWh A battery pack with two electric motors to generate total 230 kW and offer a range to customers Between 413 and 438 km On a single charge.
This means the iX1 won’t travel as far between charges as some of its competitors, but most of them have less power and less performance as a result. It could be that BMW comes out with a less powerful, more efficient version of the iX1 in time.
However, such a model would almost certainly do without the power of the iX1’s twin-motor powertrain.
The iX1 supports both single and three-phase AC charging at rates of up to 11kW, although you can optionally increase this to 22kW. It supports DC charging up to 130kW.
Thanks to a clever part-time all-wheel drive system that only uses both motors when customers demand too much power, or the traction of the driven wheels breaks down, the iX1 achieves 0-100km/h. Less than six secondswhile the top speed is 180 km/h.
How does the BMW iX1 drive?
BMW has a reputation for making cars that are great to drive, and while the iX1 stops short of being fantastic, it’s certainly one of the best in its class.
Despite the height and height and weight, the iX1 has a relatively low center of gravity, keeping body roll to a minimum.
Combine that willingness to lean into corners with BMW’s trademark steering feel and powertrain responsiveness, and you’re left with a very capable SUV.
The ride isn’t perfect, but it’s very firm and strikes an ideal balance between engagement and comfort.
Like many electric cars, the iX1 is somewhat hampered by the weight of its battery pack, but even then only the worst potholes and surface imperfections will make their presence felt in the cabin, and it’s a city car. The neighborhood is worse than the highway.
But while the ride may be excellent at speed, the car is best around town, where the electric motors quietly get you from A to B.
There’s a slightly annoying false soundtrack that comes through the speakers, but thankfully you can turn it off.
What you can’t shut out, however, is wind and road noise, which becomes a little more noticeable at speed – probably because there’s no engine to mask it.
what do you get
BMW Australia has not confirmed standard equipment for the iX1 in Australia. Below is the list of petrol range devices locally. The iX1 is likely to be offered with an inclusion list in keeping with the xDrive20i.
X1 sDrive18i Highlights:
- 18 inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Power tailgate
- Keyless entry and start
- 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- Satellite navigation with augmented reality view
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- BMW Live Cockpit Professional
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Reversing Assistant
- Attached Package Professional
- Drive recorder
- Mirror package with anti-diesel, auto-dipping functions
- Heads up display
- Sensatec leatherette upholstery
- Sensatec wraparound instrument panel
- Front sports seats
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Dual zone climate control
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 4 x USB-C ports
- 2 x 12V power outlets
The X1 xDrive20i adds:
- 19 inch alloy wheels
- Heated front seats.
- Power front seats
- Driving Assistant Professional
- including steering and lane control assistant
Is the BMW iX1 safe?
The new BMW X1 is yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Standard safety equipment on petrol ranges in Australia includes:
- AEB with pedestrian, cyclist detection
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane Keep Assist
- Safe exit warning
- Traffic sign recognition
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- All-around cameras
- Front and rear parking sensors
How much does the BMW iX1 cost to run?
iX1 backing a Three-year, unlimited kilometer warranty Like BMW’s wide range in Australia.
Unlike much of the industry, including most premium brands, BMW has not moved to a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
BMW Australia has not confirmed service prices for the new iX1.
CarExpert takes on the BMW iX1
As expected, the new iX1 has hit the market, taking its successful rivals out of the way and fighting straight to the front.
In every department, the iX1 is either significantly more capable or on par with its immediate rivals.
Of course, the range doesn’t up the game by any means, and whether or not BMW will address that with a less powerful version of the iX1 remains to be seen, but the car is stunning nonetheless, and rival brands aren’t ready yet. have been A vehicle that can beat it.