Behind the wheel, the iX1 feels like a real BMW. It's not very different from the standard X1, except that the one we drove was a diesel and made around 150hp, while the iX1 here makes double that – almost 308hp and almost 500Nm. As expected from an electric vehicle, acceleration is breakneck speed. This iX1 feels much quicker right from the start than its bigger brother, the iX. Maybe it's because of the weight, but the way the EV energy management is done in the iX1 makes it a very reliable SUV that's a lot of fun to drive.
The rapid acceleration is further enhanced by the “Boost” rocker switch on the steering. It releases all of its power (or even more) for a 10 second boost. The acceleration that follows is certainly addictive. On the other hand, controlling the braking energy recovery on the iX1 is complicated. There's the usual low-medium-high, but aside from that, the adaptive regeneration means the car is idling more than braking every time you let off the accelerator. There is also a one-pedal mode that requires the gear selector to be placed in B.
Even the steering response is quick and the iX1 feels nimble. Weight distribution has always been BMW's strength and here in the iX1 they have done it again. Additionally, the AWD system also helps, allowing the iX1 to stay on track much better and more controlled than expected when you steer it into a corner. The steering wheel itself is a bit lighter, but still feels good for maneuvering, be it in the city or on the highway. The ride is firm, but not disturbing at all. Although some irregularities are noticeable in the cabin at times, the slow ride is not unpleasant and only gets better as the speed increases.
With a 66.5 kWh battery, the iX1 is said to have a range of between 400 and 440 km. In CarWale's practical range test, the iX1 covered 412 km between 100 percent and zero. It also supports 130kW fast charging, making it possible to get a 10-80 percent charge in under 30 minutes, assuming you can find a charger that fast.
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