BMW iX1

The entire cabin layout of the BMW iX1 is exactly similar to that of the ICE X1, which makes it a tech-rich and futuristic place to be in. BMW is offering three leather upholstery options for the iX1 – black and blue Alcantara Sensatec, Mocha ‘Vernasca’, and Black ‘Vernasca’, all of which come with aluminium hexacube dark trim level as standard.

Once you sit behind the three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel of the BMW iX1, you are welcomed by the large and wide full-TFT screen, which extends towards the centre of the dashboard. This full-TFT screen houses the instrument console and a touchscreen infotainment system. The lower centre console has a minimalist design, which incorporates sleek AC vents and a slanted wireless charging pad. Across the dashboard, the iX1 houses slim AC vents, which come with silver accents on their lower part.

The floating centre console between the front seats of the BMW iX1 gets the transmission controller toggle, along with an electronic parking brake and drive mode selector. The other features of the iX1 which are in the interest of the people seeking comfort and convenience are a panoramic sunroof, powered front seats with massaging function, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a whole suite of connected car features.

The BMW iX1 shares its entire exterior design with the ICE-powered X1, though it gets a slew of contrast blue highlights and a few minor tweaks all around, which indicate that it is an all-electric SUV. Based on the third-generation X1, the new BMW iX1 looks sleek and sharp and has a much smarter and more muscular street presence than the previous-generation X1 models.

At the front, the BMW iX1 gets the same double-kidney grille as the X1. However, the grille here gets satin chrome surrounds and vertical slats, while it has a closed design. The sweptback angular headlamps of the iX1 have dual LED projectors along with dual inverted L-shaped daytime running LEDs. The front bumper, with its sportier-looking faux central air dam and corner air dams, adds some aggression to the front profile of the SUV. The blue highlights on the sides of the silver scuff plate at the bottom of the front bumper add more appeal to the iX1.

The side profile of the BMW iX1 looks athletic and appealing, thanks to the upright proportions and prominent front section. The iX1 comes with a set of 19-inch M light alloy wheels as standard. The SUV also retains the flap-type door handles, chrome surrounds for the window panels, and body cladding over the slightly squared wheel arches and bottom part of the door panels. The body cladding on the door panels also comes adorned with blue highlights and a silver scuff plate.

At the back, the BMW iX1 comes with a sharp-looking windscreen, which has a comparatively more upright design. Adding more sleekness to the rear profile of the iX1 are L-shaped tail lamps, which come integrated with thin LED inserts within them. The bottom of the rear bumper is covered with black body cladding, and while the corners are adorned with blue highlights, the central part gets a silver skid plate.

The BMW iX1 is based on the same monocoque frame as the ICE BMW X1, which is already one great start to have, considering how well-tuned is the chassis of the X1. The overall driving experience of the BMW iX1 is oriented more towards sportiness, with the iX1 capable of taking sharp corners with ease and composure without much drama.

The BMW iX1 sold in the Malaysian car market comes in a single xDrive 30 variant, which has a dual-motor layout, each one of which powers the front and rear wheels separately. The combined power output of these electric motors is 313 bhp, while the peak torque output is rated at 494 Nm. The iX1 xDrive 30 also comes with a 66.5 kWh lithium-ion battery as standard, which claims a maximum driving range of up to 440 km (WLTP). The iX1 is capable to reach the 100 kmph mark from a standstill in 5.6 seconds.

The BMW iX1 is packed with a host of safety features, the long list of which includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, automatic hold function, hill descent control, and hill start assist. The SUV also gets reversing assistant and parking assistant as standard in the xDrive 30 variants.

The BMW iX1 is a good SUV to begin your journey towards the future of all-electric mobility. With well-sorted basics retained from the X1, the new iX1 looks stylish inside-out, has a potent powertrain and drives in a well-behaved manner.