BMW iX1 review

We also experienced what it’s like to live with the BMW iX1, because our news reporter, Ellis Hyde, spent six months with one as part of our long-term test fleet. The car’s high standard of quality made a very good impression, as did the brand’s customer service, but Ellis found the iX1 wasn’t all that fun to drive. 

BMW iX1 prices and latest deals

How much does the BMW iX1 cost? Well, official ‘on the road’ prices range from £43,295 to £59,295 but you can currently save an average of £9,638 through the Auto Express Find A Car service, where prices start at £34,949. You can lease a BMW iX1 from £542 per month or buy a used model at prices starting from £22,900.

Check out our latest new car deals, leasing deals and used car deals for the top offers available now on Auto Express. And don’t forget we can help you sell your car, too.

When choosing an iX1, it’s well worth considering just how much you desire the style of M Sport, because its large wheels and sports suspension can result in a very hard ride. It’s bordering on the sort of firmness that buyers would expect from a hot hatchback, so it can start to feel a little tiresome in a family car while you’re just trying to take a relaxed daily commute.

Choose xLine trim, or the lower Sport (only available with the eDrive20 powertrain) and the standard suspension setting and smaller wheel sizes help to take the edge off. Even so, if you value comfort, then the Audi Q4 e-tron is a much better option.

The iX1’s brakes offer a reassuring feel and a smooth transition between the motor regeneration and the mechanical system kicking in. There are three choices of regenerative braking to choose from, but they’re a little fiddly to adjust because they’re chosen via the infotainment system, as opposed to the more intuitive paddles that some rivals employ. There’s also an adaptive regen system, which uses navigation and traffic data to decide how much regen to use, but like all systems of this type, it’s inconsistent and unpredictable.

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed

The entry-level eDrive20 uses a single front-mounted motor that produces 201bhp and 250Nm of torque, which is good for a 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds. Above that sits the twin-motor, four-wheel-drive xDrive30. Output climbs to 309bhp and 494Nm, which is enough to slash three seconds from the eDrive20’s 0-62mph time. Both models use the same 66.4kWh (net) battery pack, which is smaller than the class average.