Final Report: Early return
This, the final report on the iX1, follows on from the last Leeds trip. I’m sad to say that this BMW has been returned early to its maker. Its space on the drive is currently, temporarily filled, with another i4 – this time the entry-level 35.
So, what happened to the iX1? All was good until the Sunday evening we returned from Leeds, when I tried to charge this BMW on my 7kW charger. Despite charging fine over the weekend, the iX1 seemed to have developed a mind of its own – or maybe it liked fast-charges more than my slow one? Either way, it didn’t want to charge more than 30% on my charger, equalling a reduced 70-mile range.
First thought was that it could be my non-genuine, extra-long charging cable that was at fault. However, when I tried it on the Audi, it started charging just fine! I reversed the BMW closer than I’d like (my charger is on the side of the house), because the cable supplied with the iX1 was significantly shorter. I’m pleased to say there was no difference with my charging cable – as that wasn’t working either. I then put a call into BMW assistance and ended up using the E-Tron GT to get me to London City Airport early the next morning.
A BMW mobile technician did visit later in the week, but it was decided between him and BMW UK, that they needed the iX1 back with them. Still, I am grateful they sent the i4 in its place for the duration of the loan. The iX1 has been back with them for two weeks now, and as I write, I still think they’re none the wiser as to what is wrong.
It is good to be back in another i4, but I’m sad the iX1 has gone. It was good to drive, 313hp was more than enough power, and the XLine trim’s off-road addenda with modest 19in alloy wheels gave it the look of a Q-car, or sleeper. It handled and rode well too, despite its loftier SUV stance. I loved its unusual Phytonic Blue colour, too.
However, this performance did I feel have an effect on the range. BMW claim a range of 267 miles, although even in the Summer, just after the iX1 was delivered, the most I saw was around the 240 mark. This was more like a 200-mile charge as we headed into Winter, even with careful driving and ‘Efficiency’ mode selected during the four months I had this car, I couldn’t better 3.4 miles per kWh efficiency. As I said previously, I wonder if the recently announced single motor, iX1 eDrive 20 might be the pick, with its claimed 296-mile range.
Inside, I liked the space, the quality, the equipment, and the ‘Comfort’ front seats – although I probably wouldn’t have chosen the light Oyster leather – as it seemed to get dirty quickly. It was quickly returned to its best after a wipe over with some cleaner. Again, the iDrive infotainment system impressed – although I was less keen on the lack of buttons for all the menus, as it was difficult to switch between them on the move. As it was a touch screen, it was quickly covered in fingerprints, and following the Leeds trip, I wondered whether a bigger screen might be a good upgrade, too.
Our iX1 had plenty of options fitted, including the comprehensive ‘Technology Plus Pack.’ Most welcome from the pack, were the heated steering wheel, comfort access, Adaptive LED headlights and head-up display. The only feature we didn’t use from the pack, was the Parking Assistant Plus – the iX1 had excellent all-round vision, so I was happy enough to park it myself! Other standalone options that were enjoyed, were the punchy Harman/Kardon Surround sound system and the panoramic glass sunroof – which gave welcome added light and air to the interior.
On this evidence, we’d say the X1’s Best Premium Medium SUV award for 2023, is well-deserved.
4th Report: Stretching its EV legs
A trip to Leeds for a friend’s big birthday seemed the perfect opportunity to stretch the BMW’s legs and test the public charging network. Cold and wet weather at the start, saw the iX1 claiming a range of 210 miles when we left home – substantially down on what we’d seen when it was warmer! This range was going to suffer further, because we were going to have to use the windscreen wipers and heater, thanks to heavy, driving rain predicted throughout the trip. Although, Google was claiming 178 miles to our planned charging station near Leeds, so in theory, we were going to get there. We would then charge, so the BMW could get us home the following day.
Despite religiously staying at the national speed limit thanks to cruise control, it became obvious a bit before Doncaster, that we were only just going to make the Gridserve chargers at Batley, with just nine miles to spare – too close for comfort in our opinion. So instead, we followed the BMW infotainment’s charging suggestion, which turned out to be a pub car park in Doncaster. Full marks for the iX1 choosing what was claiming to be a fast charger. Sadly even though we were the only car on the charger, the range didn’t seem to be going up as quickly as I’d expected. Still, the Osprey charger was at least easy to use, I just swiped my Switch card, they debited a £30 deposit and off we went. Roughly 30 minutes later, we got to just under 50% charge and thinking we would charge at Batley instead on the way home, we continued up the A1 to our hotel and parking in Leeds city centre. I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed when I worked out we’d only done 154 miles, with 42 left, then again, the weather conditions were bad.
After our night in Leeds, it was mid-morning on Sunday when we decided it was time to head for home. After a fraught time the previous evening trying to find our pre-booked car park, where we did at least three tours of the town centre via BMW, our range was down to 38 miles. No issue we thought, as after putting the Batley charger’s postcode in the sat nav, it told us they were just six miles away. We got there, finding just two chargers, one with another EV charging and the other with an ICE-powered SUV! Our EV trip entered its most stressful stage, as we didn’t have a fallback. We should have had more faith in the iX1’s excellent sat nav, as it quickly suggested an Instavolt site in nearby Castleford. At the same time, with 28 miles of range, the BMW told us that it wanted to be charged. The route to these chargers also seemed to test the limits of the mapping, with the system seemingly getting confused by the busy roads – resulting in even more stress! Still, it got us to the Costa Coffee site and thankfully both fast chargers were vacant. Again, getting charge via this Instavolt charger was painless and this time a fast experience. I just tapped my Switch card; was again debited £30 and off we went into Costa for hot drinks and snacks. Roughly 40 minutes later, with the battery up to 95% and a 205-mile range, we set off back down south – hoping not to stop again.
The BMW had other ideas, telling us it needed another charging stop; however, some quick maths told us that we should be safe with roughly 40 miles range, and we were right as we pulled onto the drive with 38 miles range and 15% battery.
The BMW impressed with its comfort and refinement and how the infotainment found us fast charging points. Although, after this trip we wonder if the iX1 should have a bigger infotainment screen and a better charging network for us!
3rd Report: Interior under the microscope
This report carries on largely where the last one for the BMW finished, as the iX1 has mostly been wearing a groove in the M25 for events and meetings. Mostly focussed on Heathrow, but the iX1 also took me to the Cotswolds in the last month.
Sadly, that hot spell of weather in September broke in spectacular fashion, and I was faced with a late-night trip home from Heathrow Airport in biblical rain! I wasn’t worried, and despite high levels of standing water and localised flooding all the way, the iX1 just got on with the job – not even breaking a sweat. It felt pleasingly secure on the road, with high levels of grip coming from the twin motors. The BMW LED headlights are also impressively bright. The only disappointment was that because of the hot weather, this was the first time I’d used the front and rear demisters and they both ate into my range more than I was expecting.
Talking of the range, even though BMW claim a 270-mile range for the iX1 xDrive 30, in the early September heatwave it has stayed around the 240-mile mark. So, it will be interesting to see how this drops further as the weather gets colder. Even in ‘B’ one-pedal drive, with ‘Efficient’ mode, the iX1 doesn’t seem to regen as well or in the same way as my previous i4. Plus, try as I might (by turning off various equipment), I cannot seem to get the average consumption below 3.5 miles/kWh. I’m wondering if the recently announced iX1 eDrive 20, might be the pick of the iX1 range for business buyers, with its single front-mounted electric motor but claimed 296-mile range.
Spending more time inside the iX1 has helped me work out what I like and don’t like about this BMW’s interior. Firstly, there’s the 10.7in infotainment screen. As I mentioned in my first report, I was concerned that the lack of a central controller would lead to a mucky screen – and two months in, I believe I’m right. I can remember how generally hated the large twisty controller was for the first iDrive system in the 2001 E65 generation 7 Series, but although I marvel at how many features BMW have got into the centre console of the iX1, not only is the screen covered in fingerprints, but I think it takes longer to navigate to the features I need.
The latest X1 isn’t much smaller than the X3. As such, I continue to be impressed by the interior space of the iX1. Despite my lofty build, there’s plenty of head and legroom to find my perfect driving position. I’m also a fan of the front seats fitted as part of the ‘Comfort pack,’ as they are proving to be both comfortable and supportive. Move to the back, and there’s still plenty of room for my also tall daughter to sit behind me. With an exceptionally warm September, I’ve also been making the most of this BMW’s sunroof, that has brought welcome light and air.
As the BMW iX1 heads into winter it has already made an impression.
2nd Report: Excellent all-rounder
Despite saying I was going to take the iX1 on holiday with me, my family, and the dog, I must admit I had last-minute charger anxiety between my home and our holiday destination in Devon. Having spoken to colleagues who also holidayed in that area with EVs, their mixed reports on the state of the charging network made me reconsider. The upshot of this, is that this BMW ended up staying on my drive for the week and our transport was instead a Citroen C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid.
The Citroen proved to be a comfortable and impressively frugal companion for almost 1,000 miles, but when the roads opened out, I wished for more involvement that I knew the BMW could provide. Still, I think I was vindicated in my choice, as although improved from my last trip to the area two years ago, I still wouldn’t say the chargers were plentiful and the waiting queues would have frustrated.
Aside from our Devon trip, the iX1’s wheels hardly stood still through the August school holidays. Apart from more mundane urban drop-offs, this BMW escaped around the M25 to a theme park on one of the few hot days August had to offer.
As you’d expect with many other parents thinking the same, we encountered plenty of stop/start traffic on this trip. However, I had no moans from any of my passengers, who made the most of the comfy seats, spacious interior, and the plentiful charging points to keep iPads and phones topped up. Elsewhere, I quietly appreciated the cold air coming through climate control and the punchy sounds from the excellent optional Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.
The upshot of all this is that despite the stop/start drive, I think we all arrived in better shape than if we’d been in an ICE car. More impressive, was this BMW achieved this trip using less than 20% of the battery, although I’d still like to see if I can improve on the 3.5 miles/kWh figure.
With us rapidly coming around to living in our current property for three years, summer also seemed to be a good time for a clear out. A visit to the local car boot seemed like the logical solution to get rid of excess furniture, clothes, toys, and books. As we went through what we all wanted to sell, I must admit that I was becoming more and more concerned that it would all fit in the back of our choice of transport for the morning – my iX1!
After folding the rear seat, I’m pleased to say we made the most of the 1,495 litres of space, as everything fitted including a full-size clothes rail to display our items. Although, the fact that this electric BMW was in a field full of ICE-engined cars and vans seemed to attract more attention than I was expecting. Although I’m not sure this attention added up to any more sales, as we still had a few big things to get rid of at the tip afterwards!
Since then, it seems most of the motor industry has returned from its Summer break, so the iX1 is back to pounding the tarmac of the M25 getting me to events and meetings. My initial thoughts about the driving experience are that despite the taller SUV dimensions, this BMW has handling worthy of the BMW badge. The fact it has four-wheel drive means there’s plenty of grip, too. I only wish there was a bit more steering feel.
1st Report: Big and small
To lessen the blow of our much-admired i4 40 M Sport departing, BMW kindly offered us a replacement in the form of the latest member of its ‘i’ electric range – the iX1.
We’ve already had some experience with the iX1, after driving a late prototype at the UK launch for the X1 late last year and then spending a week with a UK production car in the spring – also in XLine spec.
Also available in a sportier M Sport flavour, in an interview with new general manager of corporate sales Matt Collins, he revealed that the iX1 had performed above BMW’s expectations and was strongly pre-sold. More interesting, considering we have the XLine trim, is that the M Sport is proving to be more popular.
With all the aluminium details, and optional 19in V-spoke alloys, our iX1 looks every bit the off-roader – which sits well with the fact that this SUV has twin motors equalling four-wheel drive. Not that we think this BMW is capable of proper mud-plugging! Still, all the aluminium is set off well against the also optional Phytonic Blue colour.
The interior of this BMW feels sophisticated with the contrasting Oyster Vernasca Leather. We’ve also benefited from quite a few options, with the Technology and Comfort packs, adding niceties such as a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, electric memory seats and more. Other welcome goodies include the sunroof and punchy Harman Kardon Surround Sound Audio System.
However, with all these options added, the result is a very big £59,695 price – it will be interesting to see over the course of the next five months which we think are worth the money and which are the ones we could do without.
As we write, the BMW has only been with us a matter of days – so we haven’t been very far. However, our thoughts remain the same as they did from the launch and first drive. With 313hp and 494Nm of torque, the iX1 feels more rapid than you perhaps expect.
Elsewhere, the steering is precise but lacking in feel and after the i4, the iX1 is taller with more body roll – but with four-wheel drive, all-round grip is excellent.
Early niggles revolve around the iX1’s switchgear and set-up. There’s no wheel to control the latest iDrive 9 operating system, so this BMW’s 10.7in touchscreen, it seems is going to get covered in fingerprints quickly. Plus, whilst the iX1 has Sport, Expressive and Relax driving modes, unlike the i4, it seems you must set the drive mode every time you set off! It is early days but has resulted in this BMW not being in the most efficient mode sometimes – not good if you’re watching the range!
Talking of the iX1’s range, BMW is claiming 270 miles, which although a bit down on the i4, is perfectly respectable. Also, the iX1’s combined unit allows single- and three-phase AC charging up to 11kW. As such, the battery can be fully recharged from empty to full in 6.5 hours, or from 10 to 80 per cent in 29 minutes, and the range can be increased by 75 miles in an incredible 10 minutes.
All the range and charging details will be important for this BMW’s first test with us, taking the family plus our dog on our family holiday to Devon. More on that in the next report.
Standard equipment on XLine:
Aluminium exterior trim, Aluminium roof rails, high-gloss black interior trim, heated front sports seats, DAB radio.
