Small wonder
This BMW iX1 is a small SUV that squares off against performance cars
We’re big fans of the latest BMW X1, which has gone from Miniin-drag to something much closer to modern BMW quality and tech in its latest incarnation (okay, there are still plenty of Mini bits under there). The X1 even made it through to the final three of the Small SUV class in our 2023 COTY awards programme.
And that was all on the strength of the combustion-engined X1 sDrive18i (FWD) model. But BMW is very focused on EVs, and plans to have 12 different pure-electric models on sale in New Zealand by the end of this year.
Which brings us to this one: the iX1 xDrive 30. Yep, the X1 baby-SUV has gone electric. And not in a meek town-mouse kind of way; this is a dual-motor AWD machine that may look like an urban fashion accessory, but makes 230kW and can hit 100km/h in 5.6sec.
Honestly, it feels even quicker, thanks to the brutal way the power is delivered in Sport mode. As with the much more sportsfocused i5 M60 performance sedan, you even get a Boost paddle that puts the powertrain into max-attack for 10 seconds.
That magic paddle suggests BMW was keen to have a bit of fun with this iX1. It retains all the comfort and convenience virtues of the sDrive18i, with an iX-like dashboard layout, fantastic seats, clever “Hey BMW” voice assistant and outstanding driver-assistance tech.
But the xDrive30 has twice the power of the sDrive18i and just as importantly, twice the number of wheels getting it to the ground.
It can certainly play low-key, refined city SUV, but as soon as you select a more aggressive drive mode it becomes a V8-eater at the traffic lights. Which is upsetting for V8 people, because this looks like a pert, premium shopping trolley. On some surfaces the front wheels will even spin momentarily, which could be a deliberate bit of reverse-engineering on BMW’s part. Cheeky.
Cars like this make us think BMW really is getting its enthusiasm for fun driving back after more than its share of humdrum SUVs over the past few years. After all, at heart the X1 is supposed to be a parkable, practical city car. Which it very much is, especially with BMW’s excellent Reversing Assistant, which can retrace the last 50 metres you drove . . . backwards. But it’s so much more if you’re prepared to commit to the steering wheel and accelerator.
It’s not cheap, or course. At $98,900, this is a small car that’s up in the big leagues; although with M Sport specification as standard, at least you don’t have to add a whole lot to get the right package. Still nearly $30k more than the sDrive18i, though.
We do love this thing. But if you prefer your electric X1 to be a bit more calm (and a bit less expensive), there’s also an iX1 sDrive20 on the way, with FWD and 150kW/ 271Nm. It was originally intended to qualify for the sub-$80k Clean Car Discount, but that’s long gone of course. Whether that means a price rethink by BMW NZ is yet to be revealed.