BMW iX1 LWB Review: More space, more range, less price – what’s the catch?

BMW India recently launched the new BMW iX1 long-wheelbase electric SUV at the Bharat Mobility Expo with a surprising price. We’ve long been led to assume that EVs come at a premium compared to their ICE counterparts. However, that’s not the case with the iX1 LWB. With a price tag of Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the iX1 LWB is actually Rs 1.8 lakh more affordable than the petrol-powered X1 and close to Rs 18 lakh lesser than the earlier iX1 standard wheelbase. The new BMW iX1 offers more range, more space, and less power compared to the older model but at the end of the day, the new iX1 is a lot less expensive. So how is it in terms of experience, space, features and more importantly how much range it offers and what is it that you have to sacrifice compared to the earlier version? We explain.
In terms of design, the iX1 LWB isn’t too different from the older model. In fact, the front and rear are pretty much the same and you get the same traditional BMW design. On the side, it features 18-inch M design alloy wheels which look good and the biggest change is the length of the vehicle, now 116 mm longer than the older iX1. Out of that 116 millimetres, 108 mm has gone to the wheelbase, which means more space at the back. As a result of this increase in length, the iX1 now manages to look a lot bigger and that’s exactly what people want in India.

Moving inside the cabin of the iX1 long wheelbase, not much has changed. It features mocha brown upholstery with the M bits on the door sills, and on the steering wheel which gives it that additional sportiness. In terms of features, it gets a “Widescreen Curved Display” that combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control system, and a 205W 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The biggest change in the cabin has to be the rear seat due to increased wheelbase and the legroom here is now generous. As mentioned earlier, the wheelbase has gone up by 108 mm, most of which has gone in the rear seat and as a result of that now the iX1 LWB offers you a lot more space. Also, it’s an EV, so it gets an almost flat floor so you can have three people sitting in relative comfort.

The seat has a good amount of cushioning, and even the under-thigh support is adequate. The backrest can be adjusted to recline up to 28.5 degrees and truly, BMW has nailed it with the iX1 LWB’s terrific improvement in terms of comfort and space.

That said, the biggest question is how BMW managed to get the prices down, despite the car now being longer and no major features being removed. Well, the answer lies in the powertrain. The older iX1 had a dual motor setup and was an all-wheel drive vehicle. The iX1 LWB has one motor with a front-wheel drive setup. As a result, the power output has gone down to 205 hp, while torque is rated at 250 Nm. Also, because of one less motor draining power from the battery, range has naturally gone up. BMW claims a range of 535 km on a single charge. Expect about 415-420 km of realistic range, which is impressive. The motor is powered by a 66.4 kWh battery pack and using a 130 kW DC charger the battery can be juiced from 10 % to 80 % in 29 minutes (120 kms range in 10 min).

The new iX1 is a more comfortable vehicle, is more spacious, has more range, but is it a proper BMW to drive or not? We’re happy to say it still drives pretty close to how a BMW should. Yes you do not have a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, so you do not have a tail-happy car, like most BMWs are, but at the end of the day, it still is a quick car. Being electric, it deploys all of its 250 Nm of torque right from the word go. It’s rock solid in a straight line and doesn’t mind going around corners with decent feedback from the steering.

Some things though could have been better, for example, the regen controls should’ve been on the paddle shifters, but in this car one needs to go into the touchscreen with multiple touch commands to adjust the level. In addition, a 360-degree camera would’ve been better instead of the rear one only but given the price, not many would complain.
That said, BMW has pulled a big ace out of their pack of cards with the iX1 LWB. Beyond the lower price-tag, the company is offering a low EMI, and a buyback scheme. All of this makes buying a BMW easier and more affordable. Most importantly, buying your first BMW is now an aspiration that more young Indians can practically gun for.