BMW iX1 LWB India Drive Review: Makes Other EVs Look Overpriced!

Visually, the iX1 LWB isn't a huge difference over the regular iX1 from the front but the real difference is seen with the side as you see the slight increase in length.

The rear seats also recline by 28.5 degrees which means it is a brilliant chauffeur driven experience, especially considering class standards.

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

This is the first electric BMW assembled in India and that explains the price tag of 49 lakh which has grabbed a lot of headlines. Not only that as BMW also introduced a long wheelbase version of this iX1. Hence, you are getting a long wheelbase version of an electric BMW which is less expensive than a Toyota Fortuner, forget it's rivals. It is also an iX1 which undercuts the petrol and diesel X1 while that X1 is not an LWB!

BMW iX1 Exterior Review   

Visually, the iX1 LWB isn't a huge difference over the regular iX1 from the front but the real difference is seen with the side as you see the slight increase in length. There is a longer rear door and with a length of 4616mm, it is 116mm longer and also has a 112 mm longer wheelbase. 

BMW iX1 Interior and Space 

Immediately the sense of space is huge with superb legroom. The rear seat space is also actually more than SUVs one segment above! The rear seats also recline by 28.5 degrees which means it is a brilliant chauffeur driven experience, especially considering class standards. The panoramic sunroof also adds to the sense of space inside. That said, more features at the back would have been nice too.

Elsewhere, there is the latest BMW operating system and the features list includes a 12 speaker Harman Kardon Audio system, vegan upholstery and more with no corners cut in terms of luxury or features. The cabin design is the same as the regular X1.

BMW iX1 Range and Performance 

The other talking point is the iX1 powertrain which now has a single motor over the dual motors present on the imported iX1 which would be discontinued most likely.

There is a single motor with 204bhp and 250Nm while the claimed range from the 66.4 kWh battery pack is 531km. Real world you can expect 350-400 depending on how you drive. That figure is decent. On paper the torque figure may not sound like much but on the road, the iX1 LWB is plenty quick. Yes, it's not as fast as the imported iX1 with dual motors, but performance is fast enough. 

Acceleration is linear but feels quick for overtakes or in sport it does have the required performance to justify the BMW badge while being much quicker than a petrol X1 for sure. The driving experience is also tuned for comfort with the ride especially being much better than the imported previous dual motor iX1. However, is is softer than the previous iX1 and ground clearance is a bit affected. It also does not feel big or heavy behind the wheel with more or less the same driving manners with some body roll.

The charging port is located at the right and a 11kw charger will juice up the battery by 6 hours and 30 mins.

Verdict 

For the price, the iX1 LWB is fantastic value since it's quieter and faster than a petrol X1 plus with more space while being cheaper! Prices might increase soon but for now, the iX1 LWB is a very good luxury car buy while making others look overpriced.