2024 BMW iX1 eDrive 20 review

What happens when you blend the BMW X1 with electric power? You get the BMW iX1 – a stylish, entry-level EV that has opened the door to new buyers since its arrival on our shores earlier this year. Not only is it eligible for the fringe benefit tax concession, but it's also priced below the luxury car tax threshold, which could add further appeal for those shopping in the premium EV market.

On the outside, the iX1 stands out with its tessellated double kidney grille, while the interior offers the sort of upmarket touches you'd expect from a BMW. There are plenty of upsides to the driving experience too. So, the iX1 certainly has a lot going for it, but is it enough to justify the price tag? We tested the entry-level iX1 eDrive 20 to find out.

There are two iX1 variants on offer, starting with the iX1 eDrive 20 we have on test here. The front-wheel-drive entry-level grade is powered by a 150kW/247Nm single motor and is priced from $78,900 before on-road costs.

The top-spec iX1 xDrive 30 starts at $84,900 before on-roads. Here you get it in all-wheel drive with a 230kW/494Nm dual-motor powertrain.

Standard features on our test car include LED headlights, keyless entry, a power tailgate, dual-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a 10.7-inch curved infotainment screen, a head-up display, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies.

Also fitted here are the optional 19-inch V-spoke style alloy wheels and the Enhancement Package, which adds an array of features such as a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, front-row seat massage function, and a Harman Kardon sound system. See the full list in the table below.

Key rivals of the iX1 include the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure, which is $2000 cheaper at $76,990, the Mercedes-Benz EQA250 ($84,900) and the soon to arrive Audi Q4 e-tron ($84,990 plus on-road costs). Another big player is the ever-popular Tesla Model Y, starting from $69,900 for the mid-spec Long Range variant or you can nab the top-spec Performance grade from $82,900. All prices listed here exclude on-road costs.

Despite being classed as a compact SUV and BMW’s smallest electric vehicle, the iX1 feels rather spacious inside. At 4500mm long, it’s longer than a Mercedes-Benz EQA250 (4463mm), but a bit shorter than a Tesla Model Y (4750mm).

There’s ample head room and roomy footwells for taller folks in both the front and the back, plus you get plenty of storage space to keep the cabin clutter-free. The floating centre console allows a storage shelf beneath the armrest that’s big enough to store a handbag, and a tiny storage bin on the top level that annoyingly opens towards the driver so it’s a pain to see inside (a remnant from overseas left-hand-drive models).

You also have cupholders, bottle holders in each door, and my favourite part – an upright wireless phone charger, complete with a latch that hugs your phone in place. Neat! 

Not only is it spacious, but the iX1’s interior is stylish too. There’s a lovely mix of colours and materials in the cabin – we had the ‘Veganza’ leatherette in Oyster paired with the Eucalyptus fine wood trim, and boy does it feel special. It’s not without some scratchy plastics towards the bottom of the cabin, but it isn’t conspicuous, nor does it detract too much from the overall high-end aesthetic.

The seats are firm yet comfortable, providing a snug embrace with adjustable curvature to suit your preference. A novel addition as part of the optional Enhancement Package is the front-seat massaging function, offering modes like ‘Relax’ or ‘Invigorate’ to tailor the intensity of your massage. I particularly enjoyed having the seat automatically shift backwards when you unbuckle your seatbelt to give you more leg room as you exit and vice-versa when you buckle in. What a treat.

In the rear, the seats are spacious with ample head and leg room. While there are air vents here, back-seat passengers don't have their own temperature controls. However, there are USB-C charging ports in the rear, mirroring the set-up in the front.

The rear seats can recline and fold in a 40:20:40 split configuration, allowing you to lower the centre section while keeping the outer seats available, or fold down a wider outer section on either side for more flexibility.

As for boot space, the iX1 offers 490 litres with the seats upright and 1495L with them folded. This is quite generous for its class, especially when compared to the 418L in the Volvo XC40 or the 340L in the Mercedes EQA 250. However, it does fall short of the whopping 854L capacity of the Tesla Model Y.

The vibrant, high-definition 10.7-inch curved infotainment display and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster are highly customisable and perform exceptionally well. However, BMW has crammed so many infotainment controls into the system that it can feel less intuitive and somewhat overwhelming at first glance.

The infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay, as well as wireless and wired Android Auto, along with embedded navigation and DAB+ digital radio. However, I encountered an issue when using Spotify with Apple CarPlay: every time I pressed play, the music would pause instantly only if the ‘Hey Siri’ functionality was enabled, leaving me with no music. This was puzzling, as it's not something I've experienced with phone mirroring before.

When it comes to changing songs from the steering wheel controls, the process is a bit clunky, either requiring multiple clicks resulting in taking your eyes off the road for a little too long, or by sideways-pressing the rollerball controller, which doesn't work easily. Adjustments while driving can be tricky, although the buttons on the centre console are handy.

For temperature control, it’s easily accessible as it’s always visible on screen. Like everything else, adjusting on the go is challenging, but at least navigating to it is straightforward.

The system can also be accessed via voice commands, and while these are helpful when you're travelling solo, you either have to interrupt your conversation with passengers, or risk waking little ones in the rear to use it.

BMW also offers the My BMW app, which allows you to control certain aspects from your phone such as remote 3D view and locking, a digital key where you can use your phone to unlock and start the car, or pre-ventilate the cabin before you hop in. There are a range of digital products offered as part of the ConnectedDrive suite. The iX1 comes with a complimentary three-month trial of the Digital Premium package, which includes enhanced BMW Maps features, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and additional My Modes.

The iX1’s safety credentials are based on the BMW X1’s ANCAP safety rating. It’s important to note that the front-wheel-drive eDrive 20 model is not included in the rating list. However, the results for this grade are expected to be similar, especially since our test car is equipped with the optional equipment package that includes the same safety assist systems as the rest of the models in the line-up.

The range was awarded five stars in the 2022 assessment, achieving strong scores with 86 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and an impressive 94 per cent for safety assist systems.

The iX1 is equipped with seven airbags: dual front, seat-mounted side, and full-length curtain airbags, as well as a centre airbag between the front seats.

BMW offers a few different levels of safety equipment and they are extensive. The iX1 eDrive 20 comes standard with the Driving Assistant Plus package, which includes braking assistant, front collision warning, lane-departure warning with lane return, adaptive cruise control, speed limit display and steering and lane-control assistant. There’s also a Parking Assistant Plus package that includes a surround-view camera, automatic parking, an inbuilt dash cam and more.

The optional Enhancement Package our test car is fitted with also adds the Driving Assistant Professional package, which includes extra features such as evasion assistant, crossroads warning with brake intervention, and lane-keeping assistant.

For the most part, the features work seamlessly and are delightfully quiet. The surround-view camera is phenomenal and offers a bunch of different views for supreme visibility. The 3D view is especially novel, being able to see a rendered visualisation of the car from the surrounding area may not be necessary, but certainly adds an extra layer of confidence when parking in tight or obscure spaces. There’s even a car wash view, which is shown from a top front view and helps you guide the car into position.

The lane-keep assistant can be somewhat overbearing, even bordering on aggressive. More than once, I found myself battling with the steering wheel when trying to change lanes, despite ensuring enough clearance. This also occurs when approaching a fork in the road, as it doesn’t seem to like it if you want to change course.

I suspect sometimes the system can’t detect the lines clearly or fast enough when the road changes. Certainly not ideal, especially when travelling at higher speeds. Thankfully, you can customise the intensity of the assistance features or toggle them off entirely if you prefer.

A particularly handy feature that’s standard in the iX1 is the Driver Recorder, which serves as an in-built dash cam. If the system detects an accident situation, it can automatically save a 360-degree video and record data such as date, time, speed and location. You can also use it to capture landscapes on a road trip or any other special moments on the road.

BMW offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, along with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty for thehigh-voltage battery. Servicing is condition-based, meaning the car will alert you when service is needed rather than adhering to set intervals. You can also choose a Service Inclusive prepaid package, available in four-year or six-year options, priced at $1463 and $2200 respectively.

A comprehensive insurance quote for the iX1 eDrive 20 came to $2760 per annum based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances. For comparison, the more affordable Tesla Model Y was similarly priced at $2688, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge came in at $1996 for the same driver profile.

Additionally, the iX1 comes with a 12-month Chargefox subscription for charging away from home, which is a nice perk. Audi offers the same on the Q4 e-tron however, it's worth noting that Mercedes-Benz EQA models include a more generous three-year subscription.

BMW claims the iX1 eDrive 20 is capable of achieving 17.2kWh per 100 kilometres with a 464km range. In our week with the car, which included a mix of highway driving and stop-start traffic, we saw a real-world consumption of 18.3kWh/100km, giving us an estimated real-world range of 366km.

When compared to its rivals, the BMW iX1's claimed range falls in the middle of the pack. The Volvo XC40 claims a range of 474km, the Mercedes EQA250 And Audi Q4 e-tron 45 both boast 524km, and the Tesla Model Y leads the segment with 533km.

The iX1 supports a maximum charging speed of 130kW, allowing for a 10–80 per cent charge in as little as 29 minutes. While this is decent, it doesn't particularly stand out. The iX1’s 130kW charging speed is higher than the Mercedes EQA’s 100kW but falls just short of the Audi Q4 e-tron’s 135kW. There's a significant jump to the Volvo's 200kW and Tesla's 250kW charging capabilities.

The BMW iX1 delivers 150kW and 250Nm of torque through a single electric motor. On paper, that might not sound like much for a premium EV, but in reality, the eDrive 20 feels surprisingly zippy and holds its own on the open road. It’s not a powerhouse, sure, but it doesn’t feel slow. That’s the magic of EV torque delivery – instant and satisfying.

The ride has a firmness to it, and the larger bumps in the road are quite noticeable. While it’s not a deal-breaker, the iX1 doesn’t offer total serenity either. On the flip side, it’s incredibly easy to manoeuvre in the city, with light steering that makes parking and navigating tight spots a cinch.

For those who love a bit of theatre, BMW’s ‘IconicSounds’ feature, overseen by Hans Zimmer, adds an artificial tone that builds as you gather speed. My mother aptly described the sound as reminiscent of “being inside a spaceship”.

You can choose between different ‘My Modes,’ or driving modes, which adjust the sound, lighting, touchscreen display and even seat massaging. It might sound a bit over the top, but I quite enjoyed the extra flair it brought to the driving experience.

Regenerative braking is adjustable, but I find the adaptive function jarring, especially as a first-time EV driver. The one-pedal drive ‘B’ mode, however, completely blew my mind. The fact that I could drive without touching the brake pedal once made navigating traffic almost fun, and the novelty never wore off.

Compared to ‘D’ mode, ‘B’ mode felt more precise with brake timing, though acceleration seemed a bit more reserved – likely because one-pedal driving requires some getting used to.

While the iX1 isn’t perfect, it’s a nice entry point into the world of EVs. With a customisable driving experience, you can fine-tune the settings to match your preferred driving style.

The BMW iX1 is rated to tow 1200kg braked or up to 750kg unbraked. It’s capable of handling light trailers or compact aero caravans, making it a practical choice for those occasional weekend getaways. Keep in mind, though, it's not designed for heavy-duty towing compared to larger SUVs, and that driving range will be impacted by the weight and drag of anything you tow.

The BMW iX1 may not be the sportiest ride in the line-up, but it's not trying to be. It excels in its role as a city vehicle and commuter. During my week with it, the iX1 proved to be a well-rounded and engaging daily driver, offering a plush interior and a refined, customisable driving experience.

While it doesn’t exactly boast class leadership, particularly when it comes to charging and efficiency, the iX1 makes up for it with the allure of a premium badge and undeniable kerb appeal. For those seeking a small SUV with green credentials, it’s an attractive and enjoyable option that could be just the right fit for your family.

BMW tells us that all variants of the iX1 are readily available at dealerships. If you're ready to get started, reach out to your nearest dealer here. You can also use the official BMW iX1 configurator to customise one to your exact preferences.

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