BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Expert Review
- Electric
- Car
- 5 Seater
What's good
-
Premium build quality
-
Excellent rear-seat comfort due to long wheelbase
-
Decent claimed driving range
-
Fast charging support up to 130kW
-
Smooth driving experience
What's not so good
-
Expensive when compared to non-luxury EVs
-
Doesn’t have ventilated seats
-
Feature list could have been a bit better for its price tag
The BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase is the most affordable electric SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) from BMW India. It has excellent driving dynamics and premium build quality – everything that you expect from a BMW, but with the practicality of a family SUV. The iX1 is positioned as a luxury electric SUV, for buyers who want strong brand value and modern tech in a solid package.
What's good
-
Premium build quality
-
Excellent rear-seat comfort due to long wheelbase
-
Decent claimed driving range
-
Fast charging support up to 130kW
-
Smooth driving experience
What's not so good
-
Expensive when compared to non-luxury EVs
-
Doesn’t have ventilated seats
-
Feature list could have been a bit better for its price tag
The BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase is the most affordable electric SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) from BMW India. It has excellent driving dynamics and premium build quality – everything that you expect from a BMW, but with the practicality of a family SUV. The iX1 is positioned as a luxury electric SUV, for buyers who want strong brand value and modern tech in a solid package.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Expert Review
SEV Score
Samarth Kudale
Tested and reviewed by SEV Experts on 8 parameters
SEV Score
Samarth Kudale
Tested and reviewed by SEV Experts on 8 parameters
Expert Verdict
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase (LWB) is an entry-level electric crossover designed to offer an electrifying user experience with feature-rich elements and high-performance architecture. This high-tier vehicle prioritises rear-row luxury, everyday usability, and visual attributes for appeal. With dynamic performance and advanced tech integrations, this BMW iX1 LWB is just what’s needed.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Design
Exterior:
The BMW iX1 LWB’s core design architecture prioritises disguising the long-wheelbase construction. Without looking awkwardly longer in appearance, the iX1 LWB manages to seem perfectly proportionate. This is ensured by tweaking the glass area construction and roofline silhouette. These design adjustments have made the BMW iX1 look sporty and athletic in nature.
The BMW iX1 LWB’s fascia is where most of the athleticism is depicted; this section boasts a closed-off signature kidney grille element with textures and an aluminium satin surround; it gives the iX1 LWB a premium but sporting character. The aerodynamically sculpted bumper with adaptive LED dual-projector lighting elements lends it an aesthetic stance that cannot be overlooked.
Towards the sides, the BMW iX1 LWB looks proportionally well but large in appearance to lend it a muscular road presence, unmatched by others. The subtle raking roofline, complemented by a roof spoiler as a continuum to the design arch, is definitely a stance that grabs attention at first glance. These distinct design attributes are supported by large 18’ inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, wrapped around 225/55 R18 tyres, filling the wheel arches to present a larger SUV appearance.
Coming to the rear section, the BMW iX1 LWB boasts 3D sculpted LED tail lighting elements, with a well-contoured bumper design hosting brushed silver skid plates and red reflector accents. With dedicated EV badging integrated, the distinction of the EV iteration is intended to be made clear from a design point. However, the only downside we felt with the design is that it seems not much different from the ICE counterpart, although the telling sign of an EV is its closed-off grille. Nevertheless, with these design attributes, the iX1 LWB is a style statement that blends with the new era.
Interior:
While driver-engaging performance fitments are the talking point of the cabin section, the rear-row luxury is an experience, separated by feature elements, that truly makes the BMW iX1 LWB unique. The more than adequate rear legroom, featuring the extra wheelbase length, is something that takes hold of the attention; it is spacious and comfortable, added with 28.5-degree reclinable seats. The relaxed and luxurious rear lounge is also enhanced with a large 9-square-foot panoramic roof.
To further facilitate a luxury appeal, the driver cockpit houses a curved and seamless single-pane screen with one section providing smart app connectivity and infotainment control elements. The other section is the instrument cluster with detailed performance information functionalities. The floating centre console is also prominently modern in design, featuring a gear selector, switchgear like the star/stop button and storage spaces; all practically placed for appeal and functionality.
Build Quality:
As expected, the BMW iX1 LWB’s finishing and fitment of panels are top-notch in the segment. The placement of the switchgear feels ergonomic. The surfaces feel premium, and the use of materials for upholstery and trims is top-class in every sense. Body panel alignment seams flush with other sections, resonating with top-class craftsmanship; BMW is widely recognised for top-tier fitments.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Features
The BMW iX1 LWB integrates top-tier features with its wide curved display unit; the widescreen setup features a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch central infotainment system. Incorporating BMW Operating System 9, these display integrations host multiple central functions, enhancing the in-car digital experience of users. Supported by a Harmon Kardon Sound System with a 12-speaker layout, the infotainment is designed to offer the best audio experience.
Apart from these, the BMW iX1 LWB comes with digital key plus functionality; the system offers the ability to operate the vehicle without carrying the key fob. This can be ensured by seamlessly connecting a compatible smartphone of smartwach device with the BMW iX1 LWB interface. The compatible devices function as a smart digital key to unlock the vehicle or operate it. Additionally, the digital key function can be shared with a maximum of 4 users.
Further, to personalise the experience, BMW is offering My BMW applications with customisation functions. Speaking of experience, to seamlessly operate the vehicle in tight spots, the BMW iX1 LWB also comes with an advanced BMW Park Assist Plus system; it offers fully automated parking functions, supported by 360-degree camera integrations at different points.
That said, there are no ventilated front seats, which are a necessity for hot Indian operating conditions. There are also no manual or automatic sunblinds, which is another letdown from a price perspective. All said, in the feature department, the BMW iX1 LWB is still packed with essential features (apart from the previous said feature integrations) to enhance the overall user experience.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Performance & Range
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive Technology-equipped iX1 LWB boasts a high-performance drivetrain integration to maximise torque potential under standard conditions. With this, the deployment of 150 kW of peak power to the front axle setup, the acceleration is staggering. With around 250 Nm of torque production capacity, the BMW iX1 LWB design is adaptable, meaning it is ideal for mixed conditions; be it for the highway or the urban jungle, this BMW offers good power.
These performance capacities are, of course, enabled by the large high-performance battery pack fitment; the BMW iX1 LWB features a 66.4 kWh capacity battery. This battery and drivetrain configuration also help the iX1 LWB deliver an impressive 531 MIDC range. Real-world range can be around 350 kms ball park. Moreover, this high-density battery and adequately powerful motor make the iX1 LWB ideal for urban runs and occasional weekend drives across cities.
As for top-speed performance, this BMW is well-equipped to reach triple-digit speeds – the iX1 LWB can reach 175 kmph top speed. Acceleration from 0-100 kmph takes 8.6 seconds, modest by the standards of the segment. Moreover, with such performance capacities, the BMW iX1 LWB is still ideal for quick highway overtakes and for cruising at a decent speed without feeling underpowered. However, under aggressive acceleration, bursting out instantaneous torque output, torque oversteer, and wheelspin are present. This can hinder the cornering performance of the vehicle to a slight extent.
That said, the iX1 LWB does not feature a dual-motor configuration like the standard-wheelbase iX1. This means a reduction in drag and overall weight; the result is a more family-oriented vehicle with linear performance delivery for seamless operations. In fact, the power delivery can feel non-aggressive, meaning it’s a perfect family-focused vehicle for India. Overall, it does offer sufficient performance to tackle India’s urban conditions; a necessity by all standards.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Ride & Handling
The BMW iX1 LWB trades off the stiff and aggressive nature of the standard wheelbase iX1 model and takes a much more urban-centric approach; this is ensured with chassis tweaks and suspension tuning. With these factors, the iX1 LWB handles bad patches and rough operating conditions quite well without compromising ride quality. With a taller stance ensured with 18-inch alloy wheels, bumps and rough patches are handled well with a layer of cushioning.
Under high-speed operations, the chassis becomes more compliant for a much more settled ride. With a heavier battery pack fixed to the floorboard, this BMW also has a low centre of gravity; this ensures less and more predictable body roll by the standards of the segment. While gentle highway bumps are handled decently, sharp undulations can be felt inside the cabin. That said, the BMW iX1 LWB’s ride quality is still good by a margin and sufficient for urban trips and weekend getaways.
All said, the steering of the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, although light at slow speeds, ideal for city traffic conditions, feels a bit numb or less communicative under high-speed runs. Don’t get us wrong, it offers feedback but feels overly light even when engaged in sport mode. This is one part that can be worked on to be made better to enhance its already established superb performance capacities.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Safety
The BMW iX1 LWB comes with a high safety standard, featuring multiple airbags with full coverage, dual ISOFIX child seats, pedestrian protection, and a few active safety equipment; the vehicle gets an autonomous emergency braking system, lane departure warnings, blind spot detection system, among other features. Additionally, the iX1 LWB comes with vehicle stability control systems; this includes dynamic stability control. Other handy features include TPMS and hill descent control.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Space & Comfort
As mentioned earlier, the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase (LWB) features a longer architecture, which translates to generous in-cabin space, especially available in the rear row section. The vehicle offers luxury appeal with adequate headroom, shoulder room, and knee room to seat occupants comfortably. BMW has also made sure to increase the rear seat cushioning by 15 mm for better thigh support. The rear backrest also comes with multi-stage adjustments for better posture.
As mentioned before, despite BMW highly targeting chauffeur-driven buyers, the vehicle does not feature manual or electric sunshades; this is found to affect the overall experience for the same. With sunlight passing in, the temperatures inside the cabin can increase. That said, the AC system is effective for controlling the temperature. Speaking of which, the AC system requires lots of digging into the sub-menu to set up the settings. Apart from these minor letdowns, the iX1 LWB is ideally comfortable.
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Charging & Warranty
The BMW iX1 LWB comes with a primary 11 kW 3-phase AC home and office charging setup. With this charging configuration, the vehicle takes around 6 hours to recharge the battery pack. As for DC fast charging, the vehicle uses a standard CCS2 (Combined Charging System) setup for quicker recharging; it takes 30 minutes to recharge with this setup from 10-80% state of charge.
However, the charging port of the vehicle is placed on the side; at charging stations in India, the cable is rigid or not long enough to reach the vehicle’s side charging ports. This means the vehicle with a long wheelbase needs to be parked awkwardly, which can cause problems for other users. There are also compatibility glitches with local charging stations in India due to them being subpar compared to BMW’s standards (especially applicable to poorly maintained stations by third-party operators).
As for warranty, BMW iX1 LWB comes with a 8 years or 1,60,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty. The standard warranty is covered for 2 years. The car’s warranty can also be extended up to 10 years with a premium. Hence, the BMW iX1 LWB is ideal for complete peace of mind during vehicle ownership. What about the service network and after-sales support in India? Read further:
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Service & Network
BMW offers customers full-fledged service networks across key metro cities in India; it offers sales and after-sales facilities in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune. Tier 2 cities such as Kochi, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Dehradun, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, and Indore also feature 3S facilities. Overall, with an extensive service network across the country, the ownership of a BMW vehicle comes with complete peace of mind.
Who should buy this?
By extending the wheelbase, the BMW iX1 LWB model sets the criticism aside and offers more rear-row legroom to seat occupants comfortably. The iX1 LWB also comes with a comfort-oriented plush ride quality ideal for long-distance travelling. For the same reasons, it gets a decent range. Hence, the iX1 LWB is meant for buyers looking for adequate range performance and high comfort from an SUV.
What's good
-
Premium build quality
-
Excellent rear-seat comfort due to long wheelbase
-
Decent claimed driving range
-
Fast charging support up to 130kW
-
Smooth driving experience
What's not so good
-
Expensive when compared to non-luxury EVs
-
Doesn’t have ventilated seats
-
Feature list could have been a bit better for its price tag
BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase Price
What's good
-
Premium build quality
-
Excellent rear-seat comfort due to long wheelbase
-
Decent claimed driving range
-
Fast charging support up to 130kW
-
Smooth driving experience
What's not so good
-
Expensive when compared to non-luxury EVs
-
Doesn’t have ventilated seats
-
Feature list could have been a bit better for its price tag
500Km/c
180Kmph
30Mins
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