BMW iX1 Electric

Overrated car. Rubbish technology.

I bought the BMW iX1 expecting premium German engineering. Instead, I got an overpriced EV with frustrating technology and impractical real-world usability.

The auto-lock and shutdown system is unbelievably annoying. You can't even leave the car running with passengers inside while stepping away briefly — the car shuts itself down. Ridiculous design choice.

During rain, the wipers make this cheap creaky sound that completely destroys the "premium car" feeling. For a BMW, it honestly sounds low quality and poorly insulated.

Road noise is terrible for a car in this price range. In fact, the cabin noise reminds me of driving a cheap basic Japanese car instead of a luxury SUV. Highway driving especially makes the lack of sound insulation very obvious.

The seats are also badly designed. Getting in and out of the car feels awkward and uncomfortable, especially for a so-called premium SUV. Even worse, signs of wear started appearing within just one month of use, which is unacceptable at this price point and raises serious questions about material quality and durability.

The centre console storage is awkward and hard to reach. Wireless charging is almost useless — phone overheats and barely charges properly.

What makes it worse is that many features are apparently disabled or limited due to local LTA regulations, so you're paying premium money for technology that feels incomplete and shortchanged.

The biggest disappointment is the range. BMW advertises a WLTP range of 474km, but that figure is misleading in real-world driving. Realistically, nobody wants to constantly charge to 100% or drain to near 0% because it affects long-term battery health. Most owners will charge to around 80% and recharge again around 10-20%.

That means your practical usable range becomes roughly 300-360km at best — and even less if you're driving up north at highway speeds with aircon running.

I drove to Malaysia and had to stop to charge at Pagoh and again in Melaka. For a supposedly premium EV, that's embarrassing. Range anxiety becomes a real thing very quickly.

Now I understand why BMW is running promotions so aggressively for this car. Feels more like stock clearing than actual demand.

Save your hard-earned money and look elsewhere. This brand no longer justifies the premium price tag with products like this.

Having tested the popular X1, it was quite a letdown in all honesty. Its saving grace was perhaps the fact it was the more crashy, uncomfortable M Sport variant. With the iX1 however, the only variant you get is the xLine, which means sportiness isn't really an option here. But buyers most probably aren't looking for that (If you are, your answer is the X1 M35). Like many cars in this segment (Mercedes-Benz EQA, Audi Q4 e-tron, VW ID.4/5), they are looking for families who want a safe entryway into electrification with the ever popular compact SUV body.

Similar to the X1, its strong points are its looks. There is not a better looking BMW in the current lineup. Much to like are its fast 22kW AC charging (albeit at the sacrifice of slower DC charging at 130kW), its flat rear floor and being a more powerful alternative to the quite underpowered X1. On the road, it is noticeably better than the X1 over uneven roads, while the steering has a good feel to it without being too heavy. There is a small problem - with it being an electric car, there is a slight raise to the floor which means less under thigh support for rear passengers.

So, is it worth it?... Up to you, I guess. For its price point, there are many other better options from the Chinese such as the BYD Sealion 7 ($205,000), XPENG G6 ($225,000), ZEEKR 7X ($240,000) and the Tesla Model Y ($215,000). If you do really want a Bimmer, the iX1 is a decent choice that does not entirely break the bank. It's a future proof SUV with decent space for 5. Though it's hard to say with the upcoming, technologically advanced Chinese EVs coming to our shores in the coming years.

Drive is smooth and quiet. Offers great balance between speed and handling. Comes with additional driving aids such as blind spot monitoring with steering feedbacks.

With the ability to charge at 22kw AC plug, charge time from 20-80% is significantly shorter by 1/3.

IX1 offers practical space for families. It does provides a premium feel overall.

Going electric in a premium crossover? This BMW iX1 is the current straightforward choice - it ducks under the Cat A requirements, and offers class-leading space.