BMW’s range of electric cars is expanding at an impressive rate, and the BMW iX1 takes over from the radical i3 as the brand’s smallest electric offering. It’s still very new, having debuted in 2023, but as pre-owned and dealer demonstrators filter onto the market, it’s already worth considering as a used car.
The iX1 is based on the third generation BMW X1 SUV, and is related to the MINI Countryman, which itself is getting an all-electric model. With the right badge, keen handling, and a usefully long range, the iX1 will likely become a popular sight on the roads and a desirable used buy in the years ahead.
The iX1 goes up against cars like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQA and the Volvo XC40 Recharge, while it’s difficult to ignore one of the world’s best-selling cars, the Tesla Model Y, even if it doesn’t have the BMW’s sporty drive. Badge isn’t everything either, so also consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60, three of the best EVs on the roads.
You’re likely to consider the BMW iX1 for exactly the same reasons you might have bought any of the three generations of X1 we’ve seen since the model launched in 2009. It’s a BMW, it’s a relatively compact SUV, and it looks and feels more special than products from more mainstream brands.
Well, its styling might not have the eye-catching appeal of something like a Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5, but those don’t have the BMW badge or that prominent kidney grille, which thankfully is still smaller here than on some of BMW’s other products. And of course, the iX1 is now the smallest electric BMW you can get, so is the perfect stepping stone into the brand’s ever-expanding range of EVs.
Being an EV makes the iX1 heavy so it doesn’t quite have the agility we’ve come to expect from BMWs, but it still handles well, even if it sacrifices some ride quality to do so. It’s easy and smooth too, as you’d expect and hope for from an EV. Performance varies depending on whether you go front-wheel drive our all-wheel drive (the latter is pretty brisk), while the all-important range is competitive for both models.
The BMW’s cabin is among the best in this class - the lack of buttons may take some getting used-to but otherwise BMW’s twin-screen display is excellent, as is its driving position and visibility. The boot is a little smaller than that of a regular BMW X1, thanks to the battery pack, but otherwise it’s spacious enough and the front and rear seats easily accommodate four adults too.
Reliability is currently unknown, but BMW’s other EVs so far seem fairly trouble-free, so we’d expect the same here. Not that the iX1 is the only choice in this class if something about it doesn’t quite suit you: the Audi Q4 e-tron, Mercedes EQA and Volvo XC40 Recharge are all similarly premium-level alternatives, while the Tesla Model Y is currently dominating this market and cannot be ignored. Don’t ignore the Hyundai and Kia we mentioned above either, which both look great and also pack plenty of range.
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If you don’t need the benefit of all-wheel drive then the recently-launched eDrive 20 may be one to look for on the used market, largely as it’s around £6000 cheaper brand new than the xDrive 30 and a similar saving is likely to carry over to pre-owned cars too. What it doesn’t get you is much more range, on paper at least, with maybe 10-20 miles more than the all-wheel drive model. It’s a fair bit slower accelerating, too.
Higher-spec models aren’t notably better equipped than the entry-level Sport trim so you can save some money there too, while the larger alloy wheels make an already firm-riding car even stiffer. We’d certainly steer clear of any car that might have the largest 20-inch option fitted.
The BMW iX range is split into three trim lines, with the entry-level Sport only offered with the eDrive 20 powertrain, and xLine and M Sport getting both the eDrive 20 and xDrive 30 options. Even from Sport trim you get BMW’s striking curved dashboard display with full-size screens, while stepping up adds features like Veganza artificial leather, heated seats, and adaptive suspension. You may also find options packs on used models, such as the Technology Pack that adds adaptive LED headlights and Technology Plus Pack with a head-up display, larger alloy wheels, real leather trim, and on the M Sport, the M Sport Pro package with various M Sport visual touches.
The BMW iX1’s dimensions are:
The BMW iX1’s boot size is:
While you’ll pay a conventional flat rate of VED on the regular BMW X1, the all-electric iX1 is currently free to tax each year, adding to the potential savings of running one rather than a petrol, diesel or hybrid alternative.
BMW iX1 insurance starts from group 29 out of 50, which is for the eDrive 20 in Sport trim. This rises to group 38 for a top-spec xDrive 30 in M Sport trim. This is a little less than a Mercedes EQA (groups 37 to 45) and even a Kia EV6 (34 to 45) and far less than a Tesla Model Y (46 to 49). By the standards of the class then, insuring a BMW iX1 shouldn’t be too expensive.
Read our full BMW iX1 review