2024 BMW iX1 eDrive 20

What happens when you combine 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 included 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.

Key rivals of the iX1 include the Volvo 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. Key details 2024 BMW iX1 eDrive 20 Price $78,900 plus on-road costs Color of test car Phytonic Blue Options 19-inch alloy wheels – $1538 Enhancement Package – $5154 - Metallic paintwork - Heated steering wheel - Panoramic sunroof - Active Sports seats with massage function - Harman Kardon sound system - Choice of interior trim - Electric front seats with memory function - Front seat heating - Driving Assistant Professional Price as tested $85,592 Drive-away price $92,698 (Vic) Audi Q4 e-tron Rivals | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Volvo XC40 Recharge 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 center 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 favorite 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 colors and materials in the cabin – we have 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

Key rivals of the iX1 include the Volvo 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. Key details 2024 BMW iX1 eDrive 20 Price $78,900 plus on-road costs Color of test car Phytonic Blue Options 19-inch alloy wheels – $1538 Enhancement Package – $5154 - Metallic paintwork - Heated steering wheel - Panoramic sunroof - Active Sports seats with massage function - Harman Kardon sound system - Choice of interior trim - Electric front seats with memory function - Front seat heating - Driving Assistant Professional Price as tested $85,592 Drive-away price $92,698 (Vic) Audi Q4 e-tron Rivals | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Volvo XC40 Recharge 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 center 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 favorite 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 colors and materials in the cabin – we have 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

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 center 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 was 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 visualization 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 sufficient 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 quickly enough when the road changes. Certainly not ideal, especially when traveling at higher speeds. Thankfully, you can customize 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 functions 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.

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