2026 BMW iX1 Specs, Price, Changes

2026 BMW iX1 Specs, Price, Changes – The smallest electric car in the German automaker’s portfolio at the moment is the 2026 BMW iX1. This does not mean that it is on par with the i3, which at the time was the smallest model on the market. In order to satisfy the increasing demand for small SUVs, the iX1 was a creative and well-designed little SUV.

In addition to more traditional cars of comparable size as the Skoda Enyaq and Peugeot E-3008, it now faces competition from the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Volvo EX40. The more aerodynamic but structurally similar MINI Countryman is an additional option. 2026 BMW iX1 Specs

2026 BMW iX1 Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

BMW has decided to take a little safer approach with the iX1, despite the fact that some of its most recent designs have drawn mixed reviews. SUV purchasers will find the entire design to be both aesthetically beautiful and reasonably sturdy, with the exception of the massive grille. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 20 inches; the latter may cost £1,530 for M Sport models. In its class, the iX1 has some of the best workmanship, ergonomics, and interior design.

BMW’s interior designers have been at the top of their game in recent years, and the iX1 is just another accomplishment. It gives the inside a clean, modern look without completely eliminating the switches and buttons. The inside controls are quite simple to use, even though the iDrive click wheel—which is still available on larger BMWs—is regrettably absent.

Other well-considered features include a little hinged bar that secures the phone in place to keep it from sliding while driving and a wireless smartphone charging station that is nearly vertical on the dash to conserve space.

The company’s interior quality is usually at the greatest level, and the iX1 appears to be more durable than its rivals in this market. The accompanying switchgear is made of high-quality materials and feels expensive and robust.

Both displays gently slope across the top of the dash and offer incredibly high quality. Even if the colors change slightly depending on the driving mode, we thought the angular layouts for the road speed and charge levels were a little fussy compared to the extremely simple and unadorned analog BMW dials of the past.

A second 10.7-inch display in front of the driver controls capabilities that are only available on the single screen of the Tesla Model Y, despite the iX1’s 10.25-inch primary screen being smaller than the latter’s. The buttons on the screen seem bigger and a little more dispersed as a consequence. The layout isn’t as complicated as many of its rivals’ settings, and the quality is at least as sharp as their display, despite the regrettable fact that the temperature adjustments are only accessible on screen.

Even if the steering wheel and front seats may have undergone significant alteration, the wheel rim seems less precise than on most other BMWs since it is somewhat thicker than those of most rivals. Excellent storage is also offered by the large trays underneath the floating center console and a couple cup-holders farther forward.

The only issue we have is that the center armrest storage area is angled away from the driver, as if it was designed for places where left-hand driving is popular and no one thought to adjust it for our cars. BMW is not the only business that does this, though.

In addition to offering as much headroom and elbow room as any other car in its class, the iX1’s adjustable backrest makes lengthy rides more pleasant.

There is less space to sprawl out than in the back of a 3 Series, but the BMW’s kneeroom is just slightly less than that of its competitors—it’s not SUV level. Because the floor only rises slightly in the middle, there is still plenty of foot room even when three people are seated in the rear. The base is comfortable, but the backrest of the middle seat—which doubles as a fold-out armrest—is a little stiff.

The ISOFIX attachment is accessible behind hinged plastic clips, which makes installing a child seat simple. Because the rear door bins are big and ideal for storing cell phones and drink bottles, it’s great for storage.

With a capacity of 490 liters to the window line, the iX1’s boot is spacious but not particularly class-leading. The 40:20:40 split rear seats may be folded down to expand the capacity to 1,495 liters. 2026 BMW iX1 Specs

2026 BMW iX1 Specs

Engine & Performance

When choosing an iX1, it’s crucial to consider how much you want to imitate the M Sport’s style because of its large wheels and sports suspension, which make for a really challenging ride. Because it almost reaches the rigidity that buyers would anticipate from a fast hatchback, it may get a little worn out in a family vehicle when you’re just looking to enjoy a relaxing daily commute.

To reduce the bump, choose the xLine or lower Sport trims, which are only available with the eDrive20 drivetrain. It also helps to have smaller wheels and make little suspension changes. If you value comfort, the Audi Q4 e-tron is still a far better option.

The iX1’s brakes offer a reassuring feel and a seamless transition from motor regeneration to the mechanical system. There are three different regen choices, although they could be a little difficult to modify because they are chosen via the infotainment system instead of the more intuitive paddles that most rivals employ. Furthermore, there is an adaptive regen system that uses navigation and traffic data to decide the amount of regen to utilize; but, like previous systems of this type, it is unpredictable and unreliable.

But compared to most of the possibilities in this market, the BMW handles more sharply. Customers will not be as wowed by it as they would be by some of BMW’s other cars, even if it is a big electric SUV. The iX1 cannot match the comfort and useful handling offered by even its larger versions, such as the iX. The steering is very precise and gives some sensation, although it normally only alerts the driver when the front tires are losing grip.

Regardless of whether you select the single- or twin-motor model, the power distribution is incredibly smooth, providing a powerful throttle response without overwhelming the grip of the front tires. We discovered that pressing the accelerator foot as far as it would go and pulling the “Boost” paddle, which is situated to the left of the steering wheel and offers maximum power for 10 seconds, had little to no impact.

Because motor refinement and wind are rather well contained at higher speeds, road noise is the most obvious sound you hear. However, it is not extremely harsh; rather, it is a distant bass rumbling that is somewhat louder than the Q4 and gentler than the Tesla Model Y and Mercedes EQA.

The entry-level eDrive20’s single front-mounted motor, which generates 201 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, allows it to reach 62 mph in 8.2 seconds. Above that comes the twin-motor, four-wheel-drive xDrive30. The eDrive20’s 0-62 mph time might be shortened by three seconds by increasing the output to 309 horsepower and 494 Nm. Both variants employ a 66.4kWh (net) battery pack, which is less than the norm for the class.

Hans Zimmer’s sci-fi-style feedback noise sounds great and may be used to accompany acceleration if you’d like. For ten seconds, the electric motors may run at their peak efficiency thanks to the “boost” mode, which is activated by a single left-hand paddle behind the steering wheel. 2026 BMW iX1 Specs

2026 BMW iX1 Fuel Economy

On a range of metropolitan freeways, A-roads, and town driving, our long-term fleet of a 2026 BMW iX1 averaged 3.7 miles per kWh. At the current maximum power price of 22.4p per kWh in the UK, charging ten thousand kilometers would cost £604. Those who can charge using a less expensive energy tariff may pay even less, while those who often top up at expensive public rapid charging stations may spend significantly more.

With a net capacity of 66.4kWh, the iX1’s battery is marginally less powerful than most of its primary rivals. Our test findings show that the iX1’s 246-mile range between charges is sufficient for all but the longest road journeys, although being somewhat less than the class average.

When it comes to rapidly charging the battery, a maximum charge rate of 130kW is also a little slower than that of competitive vehicles, including the Tesla Model Y (at 250kW).

Higher-rate income tax payers can expect deductions of £554 in fiscal year 2025–2026, up from just £369 this year. Due to its zero-emission drivetrain and two percent Benefit-in-Kind rating, which also exempts it from Vehicle Excise Duty, the iX1 is an affordable option for business drivers.

The xDrive30 M Sport has a group rating of 38, while the entry-level iX1 eDrive20 Sport gets a group rating of 29. Compared to a Tesla Model Y, these ratings are far lower.

Even if some rivals do worse than others, the 2026 BMW iX1’s residual values aren’t very high. The iX1 that is most resilient to depreciation is the base eDrive20 Sport, which will hold onto 45% of its initial cost after three years or 36,000 miles. Even if it loses more money over the same time span, the xDrive30 M Sport retains around 41% of its value.

2026 BMW iX1 Safety Features

In 2022, the gasoline-powered X1 received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. According to an independent 2023 analysis by the safety organization, the all-electric iX1 was assessed identically. With an incredible 92% rating, the Safety Assist category received the highest score.

In the 2024 Auto Express Driver Power satisfaction survey, BMW ranked 14th out of 32 brands, placing it in the middle of the pack but much ahead of Mercedes (25th) and Audi (27th). BMW owners commended the powertrains, chassis, and infotainment system.

2026 BMW iX1 Release Date & Price

The 2026 BMW iX1 comes in a variety of variants, even though it is a variation of the standard X1 series. With a starting price of over £46,000, the range is more than £11,000 more costly than the standard X1 sedan. Front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive engine choices are available, and the Sport, xLine, and M Sport trim levels are the same as the basic X1.

A five-door, five-seat compact SUV is the sole body style offered; if you want a coupe-SUV body but the same chassis, the all-electric BMW iX2 is an option. Alloy wheels, cruise control, a reversing camera, three driving modes, two-zone temperature control, a motorized tailgate, dual digital displays driven by BMW’s Operating System 9 with smartphone connectivity and navigation, and LED lighting up front and back are features of each model.

The xLine standard, which has superior instrumentation, 18-inch wheels (instead of the Sport model’s 17-inch), and a gloss black interior, may be upgraded for about £2,000 extra. The £3,000+ M Sport also has M-specific external and interior design elements, a somewhat sportier 18-inch wheel design, and adaptive M suspension.

The eDrive20 is a front-wheel drive iX1 with 201 horsepower that is powered by a single electric motor. The xDrive30 is more powerful, with two motors generating 309 horsepower and driving all four wheels. Both vehicles feature a comparatively smaller 66.4kWh battery when compared to other rivals, such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, which uses 88kWh batteries.

Conclusion

Some of the iX1’s rivals are part of the BMW group, which is essentially a who’s who of the luxury family EV market. The MINI Countryman is more versatile than the iX1, but if you’re willing to pay more for a car with less space, the iX2 has the same running gear.

The Mercedes EQA, the Audi Q4 e-tron, the recently updated Volvo EX40 (formerly the XC40 Recharge), and the coupe-like EC40 are some of the other models. The high-end Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, and Tesla Model Y cars all have comparable prices to the iX1. All of them have more range, and the most have larger boot capacities, even though they are more obviously EVs than the iX1.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.