BMW's iX1 sets a high standard for small full-electric SUVs. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The BMW of small, relatively affordable EVs now looks like this, the iX1. Visually, it's little different from any other third generation X1, but the 64.7kWh powertrain offers very competitive driving range, rapid performance and remarkable traction. A pricey package, but one with considerable potential.

Background

It was crucial that BMW's third generation X1 crossover should also be available in full electric form. Most of this model's key rivals now offer that option, so the iX1 is extremely significant for the Munich maker and effectively acts as the new entry point for the company's growing range of EVs. It doesn't have bespoke EV architecture underneath, but then most current segment rivals don't yet have that either. The advantage of this from BMW's point of view is that an FAAR platform shared with combustion X1 variants allows the iX1 to be built on the same production line at Regensburg in Germany. So is this contender going to really worry direct class rivals like the Tesla Model Y, the Mercedes EQA and Volvo's XC40 Recharge Pure Electric? Let's see.

Driving Experience

There's a choice of two iX1 models. Things kick off with the base single motor front-driven 204hp iX1 eDrive20 variant, with 247Nm of torque and between 268 and 296 miles of range. Or there's the much more powerful dual motor AWD xDrive30 version, which offers 313hp, 494Nm of torque and 257-272 miles of range. Both variants use the same 64.7kWh (usable capacity) battery. We tried the iX1 xDrive30, which as mentioned is powered by one electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear, each combined with power electronics and transmission in a single, compact housing. It's quite a potent package this, the twin motor all wheel drive system giving the iX1 xDrive30e a rest to 62mph sprint time of just 5.7 seconds. Top speed is 112mph. BMW's promising more accomplished handling than class EV rivals can offer as well, thanks to clever wheel slip limitation technology borrowed from the larger iX. With this traction management setup, power can be automatically transferred between front and rear wheels to maximise stability and grip. If you're used EVs of this size scrabbling away for traction from rest under hard acceleration, that feature will be welcome. Expect refinement to be even more impressive than it usually is on an EV thanks to a sleek drag coefficient of 0.26Cd. Adaptive M suspension is standard, agility and comfort benefitting from mechanically controlled adjustable and frequency-selective dampers. Pressure peaks inside the dampers are smoothed out by additional valves active on the rebound side. The specially designed damper system also brings about a 15mm drop in ride height.

Design and Build

Blue detailing will help your neighbours identify that you've chosen the full electric version of this X1. Otherwise, apart from the badging and the charging flap, it'll be difficult to tell this iX1 apart from its combustion range counterparts. This third generation X1 completes the visual switch of this model line from Crossover to fully-fledged SUV. It's larger than its predecessor too, 53mm longer, 24mm wider and 44mm taller. At the front, slim LED headlights flank the large, almost square BMW kidney grille. The profile has a dynamically rising character crease. And at the rear, horizontal lines and the narrow rear window emphasise the extra body width. The cabin's marked out by the adoption of BMW's 'Operating System 8' media system, which sees the introduction of a 'Curved Display' on the dash top, made up of a 10.7-inch instrument monitor seamlessly joined to a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. The latter display incorporates the 'BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant', a voice control system responding to the command 'Hey BMW'. Wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is standard. And the infotainment set-up now updates itself with 'over-the-air' upgrades, so you'll get into your X1 one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before. As for practicalities, well the front of the cabin's notably spacious and the seats offer excellent all-round comfort. The rear compartment is roomy for a car of this compact class too, with three full-sized seats and a base able to slide by up to 13cms. That aids the 490-litre boot, 10-litres less than you get with the non-electrified X1 combustion models (though the same as you'd have with an X1 PHEV). With the rear seats folded in an iX1, capacity is 1,495-litres.

Market and Model

You'll need from around £46,000 for the eDrive20 variant with base 'Sport' trim; plusher 'xLine' and 'M Sport' versions of this model are also offered if you've more to spend. You'll need just under £54,500 for the AWD xDrive30 model (that's with 'xLine' trim); or around £57,000 if you want it with the 'M Sport'-spec we tried. For this kind of outlay, you'd expect a very wide range of driver assistance features - which is exactly what you get. The iX1 is fitted as standard with the latest version of BMW's front-collision warning system with brake intervention. It comprises features such as Collision Warning, incorporating pedestrian and cyclist warning with a braking function. There's also Crossroads Warning, plus Cruise Control with a brake function, Speed Limit Info with a no-overtaking indicator, a manual Speed Limit Assist system and BMW's useful Evasion Assistant which helps with emergency manoeuvres: all of this is fitted as standard. Lane Departure Warning with lane return also comes included and is capable of suppressing course correction on narrow roads to allow the driver to move over for an oncoming vehicle. The standard Active Park Distance Control package issues alerts and automatic brake inputs to help avoid collisions with obstacles to the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. Also standard are a Reversing Assist Camera and the BMW's clever Reversing Assistant, which can automatically reverse you out of a space the same way you drove into it. Also fitted is the brand's 'Parking Assistant', which helps select and park in spaces parallel or perpendicular to the road, with the system also able to take bearings from the kerb.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the range figures for the 64.7kWh battery in our 'Driving' section - 268-296 miles for the eDrive20 and 257-272 miles for the xDrive30. The faster AWD model achieves a combined power consumption of 3.6 mi/kWh. We struggled to get much more than 200 miles during our test. But these days, charging times are almost as important as range and efficiency figures. Charging rates are the same with both iX1 variants - up to 130kW, which means a 10-80% top-up at a DC rapid charger can be completed in 29 minutes, with 75 miles of range added in just 10 minutes. At home, the car's Combined Charging Unit enables single and three-phase AC charging up to 11kW, which allows the battery to be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours as standard; specify the upgraded 11kW on-board charger and you can reduce that replenishment time to just three hours 45 minutes. As in the BMW i7, the charging software has been further refined for this iX1. Once the battery reaches a higher charge level, the new process drops the charging rate smoothly instead of the previous "stepped" curve, resulting in even shorter charging times. An optimised cooling strategy for DC charging improves the durability of the battery. Alternating phases of full and partial cooling power are used to prevent cell temperatures dropping too low during fast charging, shortening charging times and reducing ageing. Customised settings for individual charge points can be stored and automatically recalled on the next visit, while pre-heating can be started manually on approach to a DC charging station.

Summary

In some ways after the revolution that was the i3, BMW's very first entry-level EV a decade ago, the iX1 seems a touch conservative. But it will better represent the Munich maker in a category where customers increasingly expect their small EVs to be crossovers. Those who want real-world driving range capability regularly over the 250 mile mark though, may want to try before they buy because we never managed anything like that during our test. Still, in compensation, the iX1 brings a slightly more engaging level of driving involvement to the lower mid-sized EV Crossover segment and for that, we'd recommend it. You certainly won't wish for more performance from this zippy dual motor version. There's also a classy cabin, very high standards of media connectivity and safety standards that are difficult to beat in the class. All enticing attributes, but all also shared by the two Plug-in Hybrid X1 variants that we'd recommend you consider carefully before deciding upon this full-battery version, each with a potential EV driving range of over 50 miles and the drive flexibility beyond that you might want given our country's rather flaky EV public charging network. But if a full EV it has to be, then here's one you can't ignore.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heated rear window

Sun protection glass

Rain sensor including auto headlights activation

Electric windows - front and rear, with open/close fingertip control, anti-trap facility and comfort closing

Windscreen washer nozzle for rear view camera

Windscreen wipers front with heated washer nozzles

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Automatic Stability Control (ASC)

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Dynamic brake control

Electromechanical parking brake

Integrated brake system

Energy recovery system

Braking readiness

Dynamic stability control + (DSC+)

Dry braking

M Sport brakes with red calipers

PC iBrake PostCrash approach control warning with light braking function

Automatic hold function

Front and rear brake discs

Carpets/Rugs

Anthracite Velour front and rear floormats

Chassis/Suspension

M Adaptive suspension

Driver Aids

Servotronic Power Assisted Steering

Attentiveness assist

Drive off assistant

My Modes

Driver Convenience

Electrically opening/closing tailgate with opening/closing with remote control and contactless opening and closing

Driver Information

BMW Online services

Tyre puncture warning system

BMW Teleservices

Connected eDrive Services

Condition based service

Brake pad wear indicator

Personal Profile - automatic lock when driving away selectable

iDrive controller

Widescreen display

Language version English

BMW Operating system 9 with BMW Maps, real-time traffic information, in-car experiences, remote services and smartphone integration

Driving Mirrors

Body colour door mirrors

Electric adjustable heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Luxury instrument panel

Engine

Performance Control

eDrive exterior sound

EU6 emissions management

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

BMW Personal eSim

Exterior Body Features

Invisible exhaust tailpipe

Rear side wing doors

Model inscription on right tailgate

Folding door handles integrated flush with surface

Key with M identification

Matt black roof strips

Badge on engine compartment lid and tailgate

M specific radiator grille in satinated aluminium

Front and rear bumper panel with M specific design, in body colour with inserts in black high gloss

Rear cover painted in BMW I blue

M identification on the sides

M roof rails high gloss shadow line

Sill cover in body colour

M spoiler in black high gloss

M Extended high gloss shadowline exterior trim

High gloss shadowline

Exterior Lights

Follow me home headlights

High beam assistant

LED daytime running lights

Dynamic brake lights

LED number plate light

Front door exit lights

M lights shadowline

LED 3rd brake light integrated in rear spoiler

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

Anthracite headlining

Front and rear door pockets

4 grab handles

Glove compartment

2 bag hooks in luggage compartment

2 cup holders in front

M sport leather steering wheel

12V - Power sockets with front centre console and luggage compartment

Storage compartment with folding cover under centre console armrest cushion

Bottle trays in all doors

Storage compartment net in left side trim panel

Storage tray in right side trim panel

One piece parcel shelf opens together with tailgate and removable

Front centre console storage compartment

Rear armrest in door trim panel

3 upper retaining strap clips integrated into rear panels of seat backrests

Middle centre console storage compartment

Clothes hook rear

Sport leather multifunction steering wheel with thumbrests and operation of instrument display, audio, telephone and driver assistance

Manual steering column height and depth adjustment

Tilt adjustment incl. cargo function of 2nd row of seats

2 x USB Type C ports for charging in front centre console + 2 x USB Type C ports for charging in rear centre console

Interior Lights

Ambient interior lighting

Front and rear footwell lighting

Interior door handle recess light on all doors

Light on right in luggage compartment

Vanity mirror lights

Packs

Technology plus pack - iX1

Safety

First aid kit

Warning triangle

Rear door child safety locks

Front and rear head airbags

Driver/Front Passenger airbags

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Crash Sensor - activates hazard/interior lighting + unlocks doors

Tyre pressure monitor

BMW emergency call

Three point seat belts in all seats

M Seatbelts

Seats

Front/rear adjustable head restraints

3 rear headrests

40:20:40 split folding rear seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Driver and front passenger heated seats

Child seat ISOFIX attachment for two outer rear seats and front passenger seat with anchorage points

Single front passenger seat

Security

Locking wheel bolts

Alarm system with tilt sensor, monitoring doors, bonnet interior and tailgate

Closing system with central locking

Towing

Trailer stabilisation logic

Vehicle Charging

Fast charging cable professional mode 3 for public charging

AC charging professional

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit plus

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2070

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 600

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 225

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 22

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 29

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 130

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 66.5

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Low: 570

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Medium: 564

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - High: 500

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Extra High: 347

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 566

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 448

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 450

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 430

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Low: 12.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Medium: 13.2

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - High: 14.8

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Extra High: 21.4

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 13.2

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 16.8

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 16.3

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 17.1

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 4.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.6

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Extra High: 2.9

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - High: 4.2

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Low: 4.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Medium: 4.7

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Extra High: 215.6

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 351.7

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 278.4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 267.2

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 279.6

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - High: 310.7

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Low: 354.2

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Medium: 350.5

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: N

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 64.8

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 130

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): 66

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Shadow Ed Tech+/22kW

Coin Description: eDrive20

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 6

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 30E

Service Interval Mileage: 12000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 204

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.6

Top Speed: 106

Engine Power - BHP: 204

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 150

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 184

Engine Torque - NM: 250

Engine Torque - MKG: 25.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/45 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 245/45 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: STYLE 871 M DOUBLE SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4500

Width: 1845

Wheelbase: 2692

Width (including mirrors): 2104

Height: 1616

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1865

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2435

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 750

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 570

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 490

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1495

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.7

Driver Aids

Parking assistant professional with parking view, driver and theft recorder, manoeuvre and reversing assist pro, remote park control, remote 3D view

Embellishment Trims

Aluminium mesh effect interior trim finishers with pearl chrome highlights

Fine-wood Eucalyptus open-pored trim with pearl chrome highlights

High gloss black interior trim finishers with pearl chrome highlights

Entertainment

Harman/Kardon surround sound audio system

BMW iconic sound electric

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Panoramic opening glass sunroof

BMW Individual special paint

Individual metallic paint

BMW Individual Metallic paint

BMW Individual Frozen paint

Interior Features

Luggage net

Perforated Veganza upholstery

Heated steering wheel

Vernasca leather upholstery

Packs

Driving assistant professional pack - X1/iX1

Driving assistant pack - X1/iX1

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Portimao blue

Metallic - Cape york green

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Space silver

Metallic - Mineral white

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

Individual metallic paint - Storm Bay

BMW Individual frozen paint - Pure grey

BMW Individual special paint - Custom

BMW Individual Metallic paint - Blue Bay Lagoon

Seats

Active seat for driver and front passenger - electrically adjustable lumbar support

Electric front seats with memory and door mirror memory

M Sport seats

Towing

Towbar

Trim - Leather

Vernasca leather - Oyster

Vernasca leather - Mocha

Vernasca leather - Black

Trim - Part Leather

M Alcantara/Veganza combination upholstery - Black/Blue With contrast stitching

Trim - Vinyl

Veganza perforated - Black

Veganza perforated - Mokka

Veganza perforated - Oyster

Veganza perforated - Red/black

Vehicle Charging

Flexible charger (Mode 2) with 3 pin adapter 10A

Wheels - Alloy

20" M multi spoke alloy wheels finished in frozen midnight grey diamond polished - Style 869