If you’re hoping for echoes of the BMW i3’s art deco design and originality in the new BMW iX1, you’ll be disappointed.
Let’s face it, the iX1 is rather derivative-looking; as with the vast majority of its rivals, from the Audi Q4 e-tron to the Mercedes EQA and Lexus NX, it’s not ugly but it’s not pretty or even terribly memorable, either. Which is why we’ll actually start with the inside of the BMW iX1, because it’s here that it really makes an impact. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the 308bhp all-electric, four-wheel drive powertrain in just a moment.
First, check out the curved touchscreen; a focal point in an interior that feels every bit as plush and high-class as that of an X3, and is deliberately reminiscent of the BMW iX.
Complete with a 10.7-inch touchscreen and a 10.4-inch driver’s information screen, the operating system 8’s graphics are second to none. With wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard on ever iX1, native features such as the excellent nav will be defunct for most. If you do use them, the configurable shortcut icons on the touchscreen’s home page will be useful.
Unfortunately, climate control is now done in-screen, but at least the controls are permanently visible and within easy reach, and the voice control is also one of the more reliable that we’ve tried.
Overall, the comfort, perceived quality and material finish of the iX1’s interior is really quite something. It needs to be to justify a price of more than £52,000, which is teeth-suckingly high yet is also roughly on a par with equivalent rivals like the Mercedes EQA, Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40.