BMW iX1: pros and cons

The BMW iX1 eDrive 20 XLine is now in the Philippines. As such, folks looking for a luxury all-electric ride have received yet another potent option to add to their shortlists. 

So, to guide the prospective buyers of the iX1, we’ll be listing some of its greatest strengths and weaknesses according to the specs and features it has on its spec sheet. 

Advantages:

Slick design

At a glance, the all-new iX1 is a definite head-turner. 

Up front, it features a closed-off but imposing version of the “kidney grille.” The said grille is also lined from the bottom by a sharply designed lower front bumper and topped by a muscular-looking hood. 

Over to its side, the BMW model’s appearance mellows out a bit with the usual high-riding roof and claddings of a sports utility vehicle (SUV). The said claddings on the iX1, however, appear more premium as they are made out of glossy material. It was also provided with a stylish set of 18-inch aerodynamic wheels, squared-off wheel arches, and flush door handles. 

The rear of the iX1, on the other hand, gets a futuristic look thanks to its pair of upswept LED taillights. It likewise sports a prominent roof-mounted rear spoiler and a visually appealing angular rear diffuser. 

Overall, the look of the iX1 seeks to combine the sharpness and slickness typical of EV models with the imposing style of SUVs. 

Loads of creature comforts, safety bits

As expected of a luxury ride, the iX1 presents plenty of creature comforts. 

For starters, most of its dashboard, interior door cards, and all of its seats are clad in soft, supple materials such as Veganza leather. Some select areas do have some solid, shiny decorative bits, but those only add to the interior’s visual appeal. 

Handling the cooling needs of the iX1’s occupants is an automatic air-conditioning system. It is easy to use, plus it has rear vents as well. 

A soft padded center armrest, electronic seat adjustability, lumbar support, and enhanced soundproofing handle provide more comfort for the vehicle’s front occupants. The driver also gets a shapely leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, a lot of tactile physical buttons for driving functions, and a highly legible and customizable 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster.

Using the iX1 daily is also easier, thanks to the presence of rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamp activation, and several advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). 

For reference, the said model’s notable ADAS features include adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, forward collision warning, reversing assist, and object detection. If the aforementioned were not enough, the vehicle may also come with optional ADAS bits like lane keep assist, real-time traffic information, and exit warning functionality, among others. 

Strong in practicality

While the insides of the iX1 are a bastion of comfort, it also has a lot of usable space for lugging around cargo. 

With the rear seats down, the vehicle gets a total of 1,600 liters of usable space. The aforementioned is more than enough for hauling camping implements, tools, or one’s choice of sports equipment. At default, it also has 540 liters, which is good for grocery-getting and one or two travel bags. 

The rear seats likewise received a 40:20:40 split function, which does a lot for its versatility. For longer items, one doesn’t need to fold the entire rear seat down, after all. 

The trunk of the iX1 itself also has extra cubby holes for holding small objects such as tools and the vehicle’s bundle of charging cables. 

Peppy for its size

While classed as a “compact SUV,” the iX1 is a bit heavy due to its batteries. Thankfully, the vehicle’s single motor setup can produce a respectable 204 horsepower and 247 Newton-meters of torque. 

With the said output, the all-electric Bimmer can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.6 seconds. It is not the fastest or most powerful BMW SUV by far, but it can be considered peppy. Plus, it benefits from instantaneous torque, which is par for the course when it comes to electric-powered rides.

Plenty of on-board tech

Apart from the iX1’s 10.25-inch gauge cluster, it was also kitted out with a 10.7-inch central infotainment display. Together, the two form the BMW Widescreen Display, which boasts colorful graphics and an intuitive user interface.

For smartphone linking, the said central head unit offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It can also accept voice commands, which can help keep a driver’s eyes on the road while using the display’s many features.

In addition, the occupants of the iX1 are given many charging options as well. It has a total of four USB Type C ports, two 12-volt accessory outlets, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.  

More tech benefits from the iX1 can be leveraged through the German marque’s MyBMW smartphone application. In the context of the SUV EV unit, the app allows its owners to remotely control its air-conditioning system, check crucial vehicle parameters, lock or unlock the car, and remotely locate the car. 

 Cons

Not the best in terms of range

According to BMW, the iX1 has an estimated range of 430-473 kilometers (km). The said range isn’t bad for daily driving in the city, but one will have to depend on charging stations for long trips.

Furthermore, some rivals of the iX1 offer better ranges from a single charge. The Kia EV6, for example, boasts a total range of 528 km.  The Volvo XC40 Recharge also has 537 km of range, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA has up to 495 km. 

Price

In the Philippine market, the BMW iX2 eDrive XLine is priced at P3.99 million. Included in the aforementioned price is a wall box charger, which will be installed for free by BMW Philippines. It is also packaged with a BMW five-year factory warranty. 

Also read: 

BMW iX1 vs. the competition

These are the BMW iX1's 6 fabulous hues

BMW iX1, iX2: similarities, differences