2024 BMW iX1 Review (xDrive30)

A few evenings ago, I went out for dinner at Firedoor, a fancy Sydney restaurant with an obscenely long wait list. Both the food and experience were top-notch.

The next night, I found myself at a more wallet-friendly venue. I spent a lot less but still had a great meal.

The contrast was stark, yet the satisfaction from both meals left me thinking about value for money. Which then got me thinking about the vehicle I'm testing this week: the BMW iX1 xDrive30, which is priced at fairly expensive $92,000 driveaway.

That would pay for a lot of meals, even at Firedoor. But it's cheap compared to its obvious rivals, such as the Dual motor Volvo XC40 Recharge which is priced at $94,920 driveaway, the equivalent electric Lexus UX (Sports Luxury) at $98,765 driveaway, or the Mercedes-Benz EQA 350 4Matic for $108,280 driveaway.

Given that difference, you start to think: "It's a BMW, what's the catch?" Time to find out.

What's the BMW iX1 like to drive?

Let's start with the the motor. It's powered by a significant 230kW electric motor, "fueled" (for lack of a better term) by a 64.7kWh battery, achieving up to 400 kilometres per charge, catering to both daily drives and longer trips.

This power enables it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 5.6 seconds, all while maintaining a quiet operation that marks a departure from traditional engine noise.

Charging is efficient with the iX1. A fast charger boosts the battery from 10% to 80% in just around 29 minutes. Home charging overnight is also an option.

Behind the wheel, the iX1 gives immediate response to acceleration and for a family SUV still offers up some agile handling, living up to BMW's legacy of enjoyable driving experiences.

The ride is quite good too, which can be attributed to its advanced suspension system.

This is specifically engineered to adjust the damping force on each wheel independently, based on the road conditions and driving dynamics. Such adaptability ensures that the suspension can provide a firmer setup for enhanced handling during spirited driving, while also being capable of softening to absorb road imperfections and bumps

What makes this suspension setup particularly effective is its ability to instantly respond to changes in the road surface, thanks to sensors that monitor vehicle speed, steering angle, and even braking actions. These sensors feed data to the suspension system, which then adjusts the damping characteristics in real time, optimising comfort and stability.

This works in harmony with the vehicle's low centre of gravity, a natural characteristic of electric vehicles due to the placement of their heavy batteries low in the chassis.

What's the interior of the BMW iX1 like?

Inside the BMW iX1 xDrive30 the cockpit is dominated by BMW's iDrive 8 system, featuring a massive curved screen that merges a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 10.7-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The system is easy to use and with the amount of options, settings and configurability available you can really go down a rabbit hole playing around with it.

The only niggle with this system is that the wireless Android Auto did tend to disconnect a little too often for my liking, but this isn't an issue isolated to the BMW system.

Seating in the iX1 is quite good too. The driver and passengers seats are equipped with memory functions and heating options. There's also a nifty feature for the tech-obsessed: a wireless charging pad that not only powers up your phone but secures it in place, ensuring it doesn't take off on its own trip as you navigate corners.

You'll find a mix of connectivity options with two USB ports and two USB-C ports around the cabin to keep devices charged.

Rear passengers are treated to a decent amount of legroom and headroom, however with the raised floor to accommodate the battery, taller adults might find it slightly less comfortable.

How safe is the BMW iX1 xDrive30?

With BMW's buffet of safety features, whether you're dodging potholes or the neighbour's cat, the iX1 has you covered. Safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function
• A surround-view camera
• Lane departure warning
• Front collision warning with brake intervention
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Park distance control
• Dynamic traction control
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• High-beam assist

How big is the boot in the 2024 BMW iX1?

Boasting 490 litres of cargo capacity, the boot in the iX1 is spacious enough for a family's weekend getaway luggage. However, when pitted against its rivals, the tale of the tape gets interesting.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge, for instance, offers a slightly more modest 452 litres, proving that even Swedes have to make compromises sometimes. On the other end, the Mercedes-Benz EQA seems to have skipped leg day, coming in at 340 litres, making it the runt of the litter.

2024 BMW ix1 review: The verdict

Priced at $92,000 driveaway, the BMW iX1 undercuts its main rivals, offering a competitive edge in the electric SUV market, especially against their traditional rivals Mercedes-Benz with their EQA ($108,280) offering.

It delivers BMW's signature driving dynamics, advanced tech, and luxury within a practical design and with a 490-litre boot capacity, it doesn't skimp on space.

The iX1 seems to be a good option for consumers who are seeking a luxury electric vehicle that has performance and efficiency without a steep price. What's the catch? I couldn't find one.