BMW iX1 Review

A review by Lauren Cressey

BMW needs no introduction - as the world’s ninth-largest producer of motor vehicles, it’s a name and badge that most people recognise. And electric cars aren’t a new thing for them either, with the first electric BMW debuting in the 1972 Olympic games. Though, it wasn’t till 2013 that they entered the electric market, with none other than the i3 - a car that stood out massively from their usual range. Since the i3, BMW have released another eight models, including the i5, i7, and of course, the one we’re here to talk about - the iX1.

I’ve had the pleasure of driving the iX1 (xDrive30 M Sport) for the last seven days, and I’m here to tell you the highs (and the lows) of my first-hand experience.

But for a bit of background, I’m a Mum of two, who puts ease and practicality at the forefront when it comes to cars. I’m partial to an SUV, and anything that saves me money, gets me to and from football practice, and away on long road trips with room for all the extra luggage (including my beloved paddleboard), is a plus in my books.

So, what did I think about it?

Okay, so depending on the type of person you are - tech could be both a positive and a negative, but I’ll start with my favourite techy bits. I can be easily mind-blown, and when I say the holographic speedometer (a.k.a the heads-up display) blew my mind, I’m not lying. So simple, yet so cool. And I’m never going to have to worry about knowing whether I’m speeding because both my current speed and the current speed limit are right in my eyeline.

I appreciated the Bluetooth Apple CarPlay addition too, compared to the wired option I’ve previously used. And also found that when connected to maps, the Apple Maps directions join the speed in the heads-up display, so no taking wrong turns ever again.

The screen spans from your driver's side and across the middle, it looks swanky but that also means there are a lot of places for you to look and it can become quite overwhelming. Personally, as a self-proclaimed technophobe, I didn’t find the system that easy to navigate - though I’m sure with more time spent, you’d get the hang of it and learn some shortcuts.

Yes, I get this sounds basic, and maybe a bit obvious (especially with it being a sports model), but trust me when I say you don’t want to be putting your foot down on that pedal unless you’re on a straight stretch of road. Needless to say, it took a few jostles and a lot of harsh braking to get the hang of the speed at which the car pulled off.

For someone who was driving country roads and navigating some very tight corners, speed wasn’t something that I appreciated that much. However, if I was commuting long distances and heading onto motorways, I’d definitely have appreciated the speed when joining on short slip roads. And with its 200+ mile real-world range, it’s a perfect car for commuting across the country.

Again, an obvious one. It’s BMW after all. But this car resembles a tank. I’m talking huge front, heavy doors - it’s a tank in SUV form. Which, if you’re looking for a sturdy car - this is the car for you. However, if you’ve got young kids, I’d maybe be wary - the doors are heavy (like, I’m pretty sure I don’t need to go to the gym after spending a week opening the doors), and you wouldn’t want to get little fingers trapped in them.

On this note, it makes it very nice to drive. You don’t get that tinny feeling you can sometimes get when you’re driving cheaper cars. You can blast your music and no one can hear you, and you don’t get that horrible windy sound when you’re driving fast with no radio on. And you feel supported and safe - like even if a tree fell on you, you’d walk out without a scratch.

Look, we’ve all been there, we’ve gone to reverse and we’ve misjudged, then we turn the steering wheel numerous times, to still be in the same dodgy spot. Well - not anymore. The BMW iX1 has a reversing assistant and boy is it helpful. It takes a few minutes to get used to the fact you’re letting tech drive your car for you, but once you’ve relinquished that control, it’ll definitely get you out of some sticky parking situations.

The size and build of this car make it perfect for a family, or for anyone who’s a lover of SUVs/bigger cars. There’s plenty of room in the boot, even with the lower compartment housing charging cables and your compressor. There’s plenty enough leg room for any long legs, and the roof is high enough that you shouldn’t hit your head on the roof as a passenger.

Road trips wise (or as some would call long commutes), it’s got a long enough range to get you anywhere that wouldn’t require a toilet/coffee stop (roughly two hours in my case). So, if you’re planning on taking this car far and wide, just plan your stops with the Electroverse route mapper, and charge with cheaper, greener energy - all whilst you stop for your usual amenities.

The extra bonus of the long journeys is that you can make true use of that unreal Harmon Kardon Surround Sound System (16 speakers and a max of 464 watts). It sounds so good, that even the worst of karaoke singers can be drowned out.

This car isn’t made for a run around town - it definitely isn’t a city car. You’re going to get the best experience of this car by driving it far and wide - we’re talking London to Cornwall, Manchester to Birmingham - you want to be cruising down the motorway (at the required speed limit), listening to your songs, and living your best life on your way to work. And if songs aren’t your thing and you’re somewhat of a workaholic, the surround sound system means you will never have a crackly work phone call again - it’s like they’re in the car with you.

For me, every electric SUV that I drive will be compared to the BYD ATTO 3, purely because it’s the electric SUV that I’ve driven the most, and it’s one I’m rather fond of… So, let’s compare them.

For starters, there is quite a bit of price difference if you’re going for the xDrive30 M Sport (new facelift version), and by quite a difference, we’re talking around £200 a month. So, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, then you’d be looking more for something like the BYD ATTO 3.

However, the BMW is, of course, a BMW. And you’re paying for the badge and well-known quality reputation that comes alongside it. The steering wheel, drive, and handling feel like pure luxury in comparison to the ATTO 3, and it’s got much stronger regen braking.