2024 BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport Review

As competition in Malaysia's C-segment EV market continues to heat up, consumer demand for practical and luxurious pure electric SUVs is steadily growing. The 2024 BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport, as a new contender in this segment, has attracted considerable attention with its BMW brand heritage, M Sport package, and a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. In this test drive, we focus on three core questions: Does its design meet the aesthetics of young families? Is its daily driving performance and range sufficient? And is its feature performance capable of supporting its positioning?

In terms of exterior design, the iX1 eDrive20 M Sport is highly recognizable. The front features BMW's iconic kidney grille, complemented by the M Sport-exclusive sporty front bumper, with black plastic trims on the lower grille and side air intakes, giving the overall style a young and sporty demeanor. The side profile of the vehicle showcases sleek lines, with a length of 4500mm and height of 1642mm, creating a compact yet stable stance typical of a C-segment SUV. The 19-inch alloy wheels enhance the overall visual appeal. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a smoked finish, echoing the front design, while the diffuser-style rear bumper accentuates its sporty vibe.

As for the interior, the iX1 eDrive20 M Sport features BMW's latest driver-focused cockpit design, with the center console angled towards the driver for ease of operation. The interior materials primarily consist of soft-touch plastics and leather upholstery, complemented by metal trim, delivering a luxurious feel that meets expectations. Key features include a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and a 10.7-inch central control display, forming a connected screen setup that runs the iDrive 8.0 system, supporting wireless CarPlay and voice control. A standard HUD (head-up display) shows information like speed and navigation, enhancing driving safety. The front seats are equipped with electric adjustment and memory functions, wrapped in leather for excellent support and comfort. The rear seats can be folded in a 60/40 split, and when folded, the trunk space can be expanded to a total capacity of 1495 liters, meeting the storage needs of family trips.

In terms of space, the 2692mm wheelbase is within the mainstream range for C-segment SUVs. Front-row seating offers ample space, with a 180cm tall passenger finding a fist's worth of headroom after adjusting the seat. The rear legroom allows for approximately two fists, headroom one fist, and the nearly flat floor ensures that when fully loaded with five passengers, it doesn't feel cramped. Regarding storage, the front central armrest box is adequately sized, door panel storage compartments can hold two bottles of water, while the rear row is equipped with a central armrest and cup holders, showcasing thoughtful details.

In dynamic driving, the iX1 eDrive20 M Sport is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that delivers a maximum power of 150kW (240PS) and a maximum torque of 250N·m, paired with a fixed-ratio transmission. The power response is immediate during take-off, with a slight press of the accelerator providing noticeable acceleration, achieving an official 0-100 km/h time of 8.6 seconds. Power reserves are more than adequate for overtaking during daily driving. Three driving modes are available: Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport. In Eco Pro mode, the power output is smooth and suitable for daily commuting; in Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, enhancing the driving experience.

In terms of chassis, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned towards comfort. When facing urban road bumps and speed bumps, the suspension can effectively filter out vibrations, keeping the body stable. During high-speed cornering, body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, avoiding significant discomfort for passengers. The steering system is precise with minimal play; the steering wheel feels light at low speeds and steady at high speeds, offering a driving texture that is consistent with BMW's usual standards.

In terms of range and charging, the iX1 eDrive20 M Sport is equipped with a 64.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with an official pure electric range of 475km. In our mixed road condition test (60% urban roads + 40% highways, A/C set at 22°C), the actual range reached approximately 410km, achieving 86% of the official claim, which is a fairly average performance. Fast charging time is 0.5 hours (10%-80%), while slow charging takes around 11 hours, meeting daily charging needs. For energy consumption, it averages about 14kWh/100km on urban roads and about 17kWh/100km on highways, showing reasonable energy efficiency overall.

In terms of driving comfort, the NVH performance is excellent. At speeds below 60km/h, the interior noise mainly comes from the tires. At high speeds, wind noise slightly increases, but it does not affect normal conversations. There are three adjustable levels of energy regeneration; at the highest level, releasing the accelerator provides a distinctly decelerating feeling, enabling single-pedal driving. At the lowest level, it closely resembles the coasting experience of fuel-powered vehicles, catering to different driving habits. The seats offer good wrapping and support, making long drives less fatiguing.

For safety features, the iX1 eDrive20 M Sport comes standard with six airbags, lane departure warning, active braking, forward collision warning, and more, ensuring robust safety. The vehicle comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, while the battery is covered for 8 years or 160,000km, alleviating consumers' concerns.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport lie in its brand influence, sporty design, balanced space performance, and comprehensive features. Compared to the Tesla Model Y (RWD version) in the same segment, the iX1 offers better interior luxury and driving feel, though its range is slightly shorter. Compared to the Mercedes-Benz EQA, the iX1 has better value for money and richer configurations.

This car is suitable for young families who value brand, design, and driving experience. It can meet the demands of daily commuting and short weekend trips. If you're seeking a well-rounded product with an affinity for the BMW brand, the iX1 eDrive20 M Sport is worth considering.

In conclusion, the 2024 BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport is a C-Segment pure electric SUV that combines luxury and practicality, offering strong competitiveness in its class.