BMW iX1

Compact electric SUV with family-friendly features

The BMW iX1 is fun to drive, with precise steering and nimble handling The BMW iX1 is the smallest electric SUV the German EV expert makes, complementing the petrol-powered X1 range, with lower running costs. It’s a really good-looking machine, bringing the desirable look of its large luxury SUVs down into a more compact 4.5-metre-long package. It’s particularly appealing when combined with M Sport trim, which has sporty detailing and big wheels on the outside, and super-desirable trim features inside. The interior is a triumph in any version, thanks to excellent build quality, thoughtful design and a top-notch infotainment system. It’s practical too, with a commanding seating position for those in the front and enough room for two adults to be comfy in the rear. The 490-litre boot is also practical.

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

To keep things straightforward, the BMW iX1 is offered with a single 65kWh battery choice. There are two powertrains, a front-wheel drive eDrive20, and an all-wheel drive xDrive30. The range is up to 470 kms in the eDrive20, and 472 kms in the xDrive30. Performance is a BMW forte. The eDrive20 produces 204PS for 0-100kmh in a crisp 8.6 seconds. The xDrive30 improves significantly on this, with its dual motors producing a total of 313 PS, for 0-100kmh in just 5.6 seconds. The extra traction will be useful in wintery weather. The DC rapid charge peak is surprisingly tepid for a BMW, at 130kW. This means it will take 30 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent. A little more speed wouldn’t go amiss here, particularly as the battery doesn’t allow the range to crack 500 kms. The BMW iX1 drives really nicely. It has precise steering and nimble handling, giving it a dynamic and engaging feel. Taut suspension delivers this – but can also serve up a fidgety ride in M Sport models, which have larger wheels than other models. Otherwise, the BMW iX1 is very refined and relaxing to drive, and makes for a great motorway cruiser.

Interior, practicality and boot space

The BMW iX1 has an appealing interior with plenty of nice luxury touches and cool design details. Even the door pulls are more like sculpture, and the semi-floating centre console, mounted nice and high with key controls set within, is a feel-good feature. It opens up plenty of stowage space, too. The firm seats are set high, which makes the BMW iX1 feels bigger than it is. The view across the bonnet is good, which helps make it easy to drive. There’s plenty of headroom in the rear as well, while the two outer passengers will enjoy good legroom. It’s a bit more cramped for the person in the middle, though. The well-shaped boot is practical and useful, with its 490-litre capacity offering plenty of capacity. Fold the rear seats and it expands to an impressive 1,495 litres. There’s no front boot, or ‘frunk’, but there is space under the boot floor for stowing charging cables. Inside, the BMW iX1 offers a premium and high-tech interior with plenty of space for passengers.

Technology, stereo and infotainment

The BMW iX1 has a first-rate infotainment system, mounted within the distinctive BMW Curved Display. Underneath the single piece of glass is a 10.25-inch driver display and a 10.7-inch centre touchscreen, which runs the latest BMW OS 9 operating system. It’s truly packed with features, and will keep you entertained for hours, while the use of shortcuts and programmable widgets helps you find the important stuff in a hurry. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and the system is fully connected, so you can link it with a smartphone app and ensure your BMW iX1 is always personalised. There’s even an online store, so you can buy or subscribe to extra features, such as more advanced safety assist features. The standard BMW stereo is decent, but in a car as refined as this, with a cabin as smart as this, you really want the optional Harman Kardon sound system, with 12 speakers, a digital amplifier, and beautiful stainless-steel tweeters that really set off the interior.

Overall, the BMW iX1 is a modern-looking small electric SUV that has plenty of BMW integrity combined with a family-friendly interior and top-notch infotainment