BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase | First Drive Review

BMW has been in the car-making business for quite some time now. Over the years, it has given us some truly brilliant machines, the 3 Series, 5 Series, and the magnificent M cars. But times have changed, and we now live in a world where a BMW doesn’t necessarily have to make a satisfying noise or even burn dinosaurs. Case in point: the iX1 LWB. Globally unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Expo this year, it’s BMW’s latest attempt at building a small electric SUV that also happens to be quite large. Yes, it’s a bit confusing. So, let’s dive in.

From a distance, the iX1 LWB looks broadly like a standard X1, which is to say, it looks like a BMW SUV. There’s a big kidney grille, but it's blanked out since it doesn’t need ICE cooling, yet BMW has kept it anyway. The panel gets a new x-mesh 3D texture that adds to its appeal. Familiar adaptive LED lights, a neatly sculpted bonnet, and an overall stance reminiscent of the outgoing iX1 remain, just in a longer form factor. BMW has also thrown in the M Sport package as standard, adding aggressive styling touches like a sportier front bumper, sculpted side trim panels, and a key with an ‘M’ logo. It won’t make you go any faster, but it will certainly make you feel superior at charging stations. It also rides on 18-inch double-spoke wheels wrapped in thick 124mm rubber, prioritising cabin comfort.

But the real party trick is in the name, LWB, or Long Wheelbase. At 4,616mm in length with a 2,800mm wheelbase, it offers more room in the back for passengers, pets, and all the random clutter Indian mothers love carrying around. These dimensions make it the longest car in its segment, resulting in notably more interior space. The boot, too, is impressive at 490 litres, the largest in its class, expanding to 1,600 litres when the seats are folded down. For reference, the standard ICE X1 measures 4,500mm in length with a 2,692mm wheelbase, making the iX1 LWB 116mm longer overall, with an additional 108mm between the wheels. In real-world terms, this translates to extra legroom, which is never a bad thing.

Since LWB customers preferred to be chauffeured around, BMW has designed it with backseat passengers in mind. The seats are 15mm longer than in the regular X1, which might not sound like much but is effectively a business-class upgrade in this segment. All three rear passengers get headrests, and the seats recline up to 28.5 degrees, preventing that stiff, upright feeling. To sweeten the experience, there’s a large panoramic glass roof, which, unfortunately, doesn’t open but does let in plenty of natural light. Rear passengers also get dedicated AC vents, two USB-C ports, a middle armrest with cupholders, and reading lights, perfect for perusing the owner's manual while waiting for a charging spot.

Up front, it’s all familiar BMW. The cabin maintains the modern and premium feel of the standard iX1, featuring a driver-focused cockpit. The seats are upholstered in Veganza leather, offering sustainability with luxury. The dual-screen setup includes a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital driver display. However, the infotainment system, laden with excessive submenus, isn’t the most user-friendly, a disappointment given BMW’s iDrive system once led the segment. Other tech highlights include a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and an extensive safety suite featuring multiple airbags, an electronic parking brake, and a parking assistant package.

Let’s talk numbers. The iX1 LWB houses a 66.4 kWh battery powering a single electric motor, delivering 201 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. BMW claims a 0-100 kmph time of 8.6 seconds, which is not exactly thrilling, but it is quick enough to make a cake slide off the back seat. Its claimed range is 531 km under ideal MIDC conditions, though, in real-world driving, you’re more likely to see around 470 km if you drive like a saint.

Because it’s a BMW, it comes with multiple driving modes. Personal (vague but balanced), Sport (slightly more responsive), and Efficient (designed to save electricity while simultaneously annoying faster-moving traffic). The suspension is well-tuned for Indian roads, absorbing potholes gracefully, and it still feels like a BMW in the corners, well-planted and composed, reminding you that, at its core, it’s still a driver’s car. It’s an EV, but every now and then, you catch glimpses of BMW’s old magic.

However, the outgoing iX1 (non-LWB) features a dual-motor setup that produces 308.7 bhp and 440 Nm of torque, making it a quicker and more engaging drive. If you were hoping for that traditional BMW punch of power, you might be slightly disappointed. In comparison, the petrol-powered X1 sDrive 20i generates 204 bhp and 300 Nm, offering more torque than the electric version.

The iX1 LWB gets adaptive regenerative braking, meaning there are no selectable levels to adjust its intensity. Instead, there’s just a single ‘B’ mode on the drive selector. This allows for one-pedal driving but takes some getting used to, as the strength of the regeneration depends on traffic conditions and your driving style. More traffic results in stronger regen to slow you down efficiently, whereas on open roads or highways, it allows for near-coasting.

When it comes to charging, the iX1 supports fast charging at up to 130kW DC, allowing the battery to go from 10-80% in just about half an hour. 10 minutes of charging adds 120 km of range. Meanwhile, using an AC charger, a charge of around 0-100% takes about seven hours. Adding to the nicety, BMW has introduced a 24x7 Charging Concierge service, which includes trip planning, charging activation, and payment integration for charging services. This additional feature provides on-call assistance, making long-distance travel easier without the need to download multiple apps.

At an introductory price of Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom), which includes the cost of an 11kW home wall box charger, the iX1 LWB is competitively priced for a luxury German EV. Plus, since it’s built in India, costs remain reasonable. It’s an excellent choice for those prioritising comfort, space, and ease of use in a premium electric SUV segment. However, if you crave a genuinely exciting drive, you may need to look elsewhere.

Competition-wise, it undercuts the Mercedes EQA by Rs 18.2 lakh, the Volvo EX40 by Rs 7.1 lakh, and the Mini Countryman Electric by Rs 5.9 lakh. In conclusion, the iX1 LWB is a proper German car, solid, well-built, practical, and offers more interior space than its rivals. It’s also considerably more affordable. But is it thrilling? Not really. And that’s a bit of a shame because BMWs used to be. Then again, maybe that’s just me being nostalgic.