CAR Senior Writer Marius Boonzaier reports back after spending some time with CAR’s BMW iX1 long-termer over the December 2024 holiday season…
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Although I spent much of the December 2024 holiday period in CAR’s long-term Suzuki Fronx, there were several times the iX1 had the opportunity to stretch its legs. The BMW accompanied me on trips ’round Cape Town — to surrounding beaches and restaurants — and to the Northern Suburbs and Strand.
Since taking over custodianship of the iX1 from CAR Editorial Director Ian McLaren, I’ve mostly driven BMW’s baby emissions-free SUV in its most efficient driver’s mode, appropriately dubbed Efficiency, with the gear selector set to “B” for optimal energy recuperation during braking. The iX1’s regenerative braking setup continues to impress, especially during in-town driving.
As mentioned in the long-term BMW’s November 2024 update in CAR magazine, when arriving back home following my early morning trips to the local yoga studio and, then, Bakoven Beach for a refreshing dip in the Atlantic, the system had managed to recuperate most of the range used. One-pedal driving remains a boon.
It’s a topsy-turvy affair when driving at the national limit on the motorway, though. Here, the iX1’s range drops significantly compared to urban commuting.
See, whereas traditionally-powered vehicles are predominantly less economical when driving in urban environments or bumper-to-bumper traffic, especially, and more fuel efficient when travelling at a constant speed on the motorway, with an electric vehicle (EV) it is the opposite. As a result, you have to adjust your driving style.
Related: Living With It – BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport [Update 3]
However, though ‘Efficiency’ has been my driver’s setting of choice over most of the iX1’s tenure in the CAR garage, over the festive season I occasionally opted to leave it in its standard driving mode, sometimes selecting ‘Sport’, keep the gear selector in ‘D’ and drive the all-electric BMW as I would a petrol- or diesel vehicle. It was an interesting experiment.
Of course, this did hamper the available range and increase the energy consumption (to around 21 kWh/100 km from 19 kWh/100 km over the festive season). Fortunately, thanks to the GridCars charging point at the CAR garage, recharging the iX1’s 66.5 kWh unit is a cinch.
In its standard setting, the BMW was more responsive to throttle inputs, with the experience enhanced when selecting ‘Sport’. Although its acceleration isn’t necessarily tyre-shredding, the 230 kW/494 N.m BMW, with its immediate torque availability, is plenty quick, providing an ample amount of thrills, especially when pulling on the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter marked “Boost”. The latter especially allows for fuss-free overtaking.
(In the March 2024 issue of CAR magazine, the iX1 xDrive30 M Sport recorded a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.62 seconds, only two-hundredths of a second slower than BMW’s claim and 0.22 seconds slower than the M35i’s claimed time. Though the latter is 94 N.m down on torque compared to its all-electric sibling, considering the iX1 weighs considerably more than the M Performance model — 2 082, tested, vs 1 665 kg, claimed — it is a respectable figure.)
Related: Living With It – BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport [Update 2]
I continued to keep a keen eye on the indicated range throughout, however, and though piloting the iX1 in this manner was fun, I returned to selecting ‘Efficiency’ mode. Though the throttle response isn’t that immediate in this setting, piloting the BMW remains an enjoyable driving experience. In addition, it adds welcomed kilometres to the available range. And I managed to bring down the energy consumption figure to 19.4 kWh/100 km. Both are wins in my book.
The BMW’s well-insulated cabin is a relaxing environment to be sat in. And dare I say it, thanks to this, I didn’t mind the festive-season traffic around the Atlantic Seaboard all that much. With my favourite tunes relayed through the test car’s Harman Kardon sound system and the dual-zone climate control setup sending cool air through the interior on hot summer days, I sat back and enjoyed the, albeit slow, drive to the beach, taking in the scenery.
The iX1’s handling is as we’ve come to expect from a BMW. The steering is well-weighted. In addition, thanks to its near-50:50 weight distribution (49:51, tested, to be precise), it remains well-grounded when cornering at speed. Little to no body roll is present.
Related: Living With It – BMW iX1 xDrive30 [Introduction]
The ride quality is pliant. However, the long-termer’s (optional) 20-inch BMW Individual alloy wheels, as striking as they may be, and low-profile rubber do occasionally contribute to a slightly jarring ride on surfaces that are not billiard-table smooth.
The iX1’s 344-litre (tested) boot capacity was sufficiently capacious for my overnight luggage, beach necessities, yoga accessories and groceries, with ample room left. Noteworthy, the BMW’s charging cable is stowed below the boot board and, unlike some EVs, not in a carrying case, which, kept in the luggage compartment, so often encroaches on usable space.
I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent behind the wheel of the iX1 over the holidays, stealthily cruising ’round town and, on the motorway, blasting (though not exceeding the national limit, mind) pass slow-moving vehicles. But no matter the environment, the BMW remains comfortable. It is a joy to drive.
