Name: BMW iX1 (2022 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW iX1
Rating: 77.0

Table of contents – BMW iX1

Summary

The BMW iX1 is a compact all-electric SUV and the new lead-in model in BMW’s electrified ‘i’ family, which became available to order in the UK in Autumn 2022.

Built on the same basic platform as the current BMW 1 Series, many British reviewers have highlighted the iX1 as the best choice in the new third-generation X1 SUV range – praised for its pace and acceleration, as well as its spacious upmarket interior that is fitted with the brand’s latest user-friendly on-board tech.

“The BMW iX1 is perhaps the ultimate electric family SUV”, Heycar comments, pointing to the car’s “sharp” exterior looks and “stunning” interior design. Despite being the smallest SUV in BMW’s line-up, Carbuyer says that the iX1 is “surprisingly roomy”, with “enough space between the seats that kids might not be able to kick your seatbacks.”

Driving Electric adds that the BMW has more boot space than bigger alternatives like the Nissan Ariya and Toyota bZ4X, but warns buyers that the iX1’s pricing is certainly steep. The electric SUV’s closest upmarket competitors are the Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQA, which are several thousand pounds cheaper and come with longer battery ranges.

As of September 2024, the BMW iX1 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 77%. This is a result of its excellent safety score, zero tailpipe emissions, low running costs and decent media reviews. However, being a very new model, we don’t have any reliability data yet.

BMW iX1 highlights

Sharp performance
Spacious and well-equipped cabin
Quiet and easy to drive
Attractive exterior styling
Low running costs

BMW iX1 lowlights

Rather firm ride comfort
Heavy weight can be felt in the corners
Expensive, base price and up
Only one powertrain on offer
So-so battery range

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £46,205 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“While not as innovative as the i3 it indirectly replaces, the BMW iX1 is a very well-put-together EV with an excellent powertrain and a suitably premium-feeling cabin that helps justify some strong pricing.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“You can buy petrol, diesel and hybrid versions of the BMW X1 but the all-electric iX1 may be the best of the bunch.”
Author: Erin Baker
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“You lose next to no boot capacity by choosing the electric version, but the X1’s sliding rear seats aren’t available on the BMW iX1 and the EV loses a little bit of rear legroom.”
Author: Illya Verpraet
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Business Car+

Model reviewed: xDrive30 M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The iX1 is a very well-rounded (not so) small SUV.”
Author: Martyn Collins
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Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Compare the BMW iX1 to its closest competitors – the Mercedes EQA and Audi Q4 e-Tron – and it has them both licked. So, despite looking resolutely normal, the iX1 manages to inject a bit of spice into electric crossover ownership, while managing to feel like more of a premium product.”
Author: Jake Groves
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“While it doesn’t feel as futuristic as some EVs, the BMW iX1 should slot easily into the lives of SUV buyers”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With iX-style driving dynamics, the iX1 is well-balanced and has a premium feel. xLine has more than enough equipment for everything you need.”
Author: Mat Watson
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Driving Electric+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW iX1 offers power, refinement and reasonable practicality, making it a solid option for buyers after an electric SUV.”
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Electrifying.com+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s another electric SUV from BMW, but the iX1 is the sweetest of the bunch. It’s the cheapest, for starters, kicking off at a mite over £52,000. It also offers four-wheel-drive, something the larger and more expensive iX3 currently doesn’t.”
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: xDrive30
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW iX1 brings BMW all-electric SUV motoring to more of a mass audience than the BMW iX3 or the BMW iX, but it still has all the qualities that you would expect from a BMW.”
Author: Paul Clarke
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW iX1 is perhaps the ultimate electric family SUV. It looks sharp, is easy to drive and has a stunning interior – while it’s also satisfyingly normal, which means it won’t feel like a shock to the system when you trade in your Nissan Qashqai.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“We’ve sampled the new BMW iX1 in prototype form and reckon it has all the ingredients to create a buzz in the world of electric SUVs.”
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Move Electric+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Overall, the BMW iX1 is a very recommendable electric family SUV. The range and efficiency are decent, and practicality is good compared to most of its rivals. Most of all, the interior finish and tech are really excellent, so if you want a useful family car that’s got serious, high-end executive classiness, this is a great option.”
Author: Vicky Parrott
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Rapid, fashionable and crying out for a cheaper version.”
Author: Murray Scullion
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It drives like an arcade game and is practical inside, but wait until you see the price.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The electric iX1 version really grabs attention, offering the most refinement and tax-efficiency while wiping the floor with competitors from Mercedes and Volvo.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: xDrive30 xLine
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s something oddly lacking in depth about the BMW iX1; whether it’s the remoteness of the steering, the sense of brittleness you get from the busy ride and the lack of sound deadening, or the prioritisation of flash, crowd-pleasing ‘son et lumière’ in place of good old-fashioned usability. Frankly, we were rather hoping for more.”
Author: Alex Robbins
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The iX1 is the best of the X1 bunch no doubt, with its swish and accomplished electric powertrain in stark comparison to the slightly underwhelming internal combustion engine variants. Just a shame about its interior own goals.”
Author: Peter Rawlins
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The BMW iX1 is a practical choice and its performance is impressive. Sadly, it’s let down by an overly firm ride and a high price – although cheaper variants will be offered in the future.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 92%

Notes on safety rating

The BMW iX1 shares its safety rating with the regular BMW X1. This is not always the case with electric models, but Euro NCAP conducted additional tests on the iX1 and was satisfied that the iX1 performed to the same standards.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of September 2024, the BMW iX1 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

The BMW iX1 is still a new model, so we don’t have enough reliability data on the SUV to generate a reliability rating as of yet.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using workshop and warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the iX1, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	268 miles	B	257 – 270 miles	B – B

Electrical efficiency	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	5.3 m/KWh	A	4 – 5.4 m/KWh	A – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	38	C	37 – 38	C – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£246	B
Year 2	£485	A
Year 3	£794	A
Year 4	£987	A
Year 5	£1,292	A
Overall	£3,804	A

The BMW iX1 has a great running cost rating, compiled using data exclusively provided by our partner Clear Vehicle data. The compact SUV’s battery range is very competitive, and its electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is excellent.

Its insurance premiums are fairly average when compared to other electric cars of this size. The even better news is that scheduled servicing costs for the iX1 are excellent.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW iX1

Sept 2023

Aug 2023

May 2023

Date: September 2023
Recall number: R/2023/270
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2022 to 05/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 433
Defect: Front driveshaft may come loose from the eDrive motor under certain circumstances.
Remedy: Replace the affected driveshaft/s.

Date: August 2023
Recall number: R/2023/253
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2023 only
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: On affected vehicles the High voltage battery may suffer a low impedance short circuit within a cell module.
Remedy: Replace the defective cell module in the high voltage battery.

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/133
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2023 only
Number of vehicles affected: 28
Defect: A cable bridge connection connecting two circuit boards within the cell supervision circuit (CSC) might not have been installed properly.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the cell supervision circuit (CSC) inside the high-voltage battery will be replaced.

As of September 2024, there have been three DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the BMW iX1 addressing various different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used iX1, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.