The review
All EV Sales editorial review. Researched from official specifications, safety ratings and published expert reviews; not a first-hand owner review. Key facts Price from: £37,065 (eDrive20, UK) · A$77,900 (xDrive30, Australia, before on-roads) Official range: 283–312 miles (WLTP, eDrive20, UK) · about 465–510 km (WLTP, Australia) 0–62 mph: 5.6–8.6 seconds depending on version Peak DC charging: 130 kW Safety: 5 stars Euro NCAP (2022) · 5 stars ANCAP (2022) Overview The iX1 is the electric version of BMW's X1 compact SUV. It shares its body and cabin with the petrol and hybrid X1. It suits buyers who want a premium badge and upmarket interior in a manageable size. It is sold in the UK, Europe and Australia but not in the US. BMW has recently improved efficiency and range. Design & Interior The iX1 looks almost identical to the petrol X1, with blue trim details on some versions. Inside, a curved panel combines a digital instrument display and a 10.7-inch touchscreen. Reviewers praise the material quality, especially on M Sport trim. Entry trims feel less special. The main complaint is the removal of BMW's rotary controller. Climate and seat functions sit in touchscreen menus, which testers find distracting to use while driving. UK cars now include Shadow Edition models with extra equipment. Driving The UK range centres on the front-drive eDrive20 with 204 hp, which reaches 62 mph in 8.6 seconds. The dual-motor xDrive30 is quicker, at 5.6 seconds, and is the main Australian model. Reviewers note excellent noise isolation on the move. The ride divides opinion, with some testers finding it jiggly over broken roads and speed bumps. Handling is tidy, but reviewers say it lacks the agility expected from a BMW. Range & Charging BMW UK quotes 283–312 miles for the eDrive20. A 2026 efficiency update, including silicon carbide inverters, added about 40 km of WLTP range in Australia. The eDrive20 is now rated at about 510 km and the xDrive30 at about 465 km there. Testers report efficiency of roughly 3.8–4.3 miles per kWh. DC charging peaks at 130 kW, and a 10–80 per cent charge takes about 29 minutes. Reviewers note rivals such as the Skoda Elroq offer more range and faster charging. Practicality The boot holds 490 litres with the seats up and 1,495 litres folded. That is reasonable for the class but well short of larger rivals. The rear seat folds 40/20/40, though the iX1 loses the petrol X1's sliding rear bench. Rear legroom is tight if front occupants are tall, and reviewers note hard seatbacks. Safety Euro NCAP awarded the X1 range, including the iX1, five stars in 2022. It scored 86% for adult occupants, 89% for children, 76% for vulnerable road users and 92% for safety assist. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, though this did not change the rating. ANCAP also gave five stars in 2022, valid until December 2028. Verdict The iX1 suits buyers who want a premium, well-built small electric SUV with strong safety credentials. Its quiet cabin and quality materials stand out. High prices, modest charging speed and a touchscreen-heavy interface are the main reasons to consider cheaper rivals with more range. How we rated it Range 3.0 (adequate range, slow-ish 130 kW charging) · Performance 3.5 (quick xDrive30, firm ride and uninvolving handling) · Safety 4.5 (five stars from Euro NCAP and ANCAP, strong safety assist) · Comfort 3.5 (quiet and well finished, touchscreen-reliant controls) · Overall 3.5. Sources BMW UK iX1 page: https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/bmw-i/ix1/bmw-ix1.html Euro NCAP 2022 assessment (X1/iX1): https://www.euroncap.com/assessments/bmw/x1/0997/ ANCAP rating: https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/bmw/ix1/ad425e Zecar, Australian 2026 pricing and range: https://zecar.com/reviews/bmw-ix1-ix2-price-cut-range-boost-2026 Carwow review (UK price): https://www.carwow.co.uk/bmw/ix1 Autocar review: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/ix1