Behind the wheel: Millie and partner/passenger Jack
I’ve been lucky enough in my role to get behind the wheel of both the BMW iX1 and iX2 before, but in very different conditions. The first time was more of a “push it to the limit” situation on a racetrack. This time, though, it was real life: Melbourne streets, a bit of traffic, and a weekend cruise down to the coast.
Safe to say, I’ve now tested the BMW iX1 in just about all the conditions I actually care about, and it didn’t disappoint. In my day to day, it strikes the perfect balance between performance, comfort and everyday practicality.
BMW always brings a certain wow factor. It’s sleek, polished and effortlessly cool. The iX1 is no exception. For some reason I expected the iX1 to feel smaller, but it actually sits in that perfect mid-size SUV sweet spot. It’s roomy enough to be practical, but still super easy to drive and park around the city. And when it comes to performance, there’s plenty of punch exactly when you need it.
It’s no surprise the BMW iX1 has earned its place as an award-winning luxury electric SUV. Recognised for its driving dynamics and premium technology, it was crowned Best Luxury Small SUV at the Wheels Car of the Year awards, and named Best EV – Small SUV at the CarExpert Choice Awards for two consecutive years (2025 and 2026).
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is a fully electric compact SUV that blends everything you’d expect from BMW with EV performance. Fully charged, it delivers up to 400km of range, which honestly feels more than enough for daily driving and weekend getaways. It’s quick off the mark too, hitting 0 to 100 km/h in around 5.6 seconds.
Charging-wise, it supports up to 130kW DC fast charging, meaning you can go from about 10-80% in under 30 minutes, which is super handy on longer trips.
Inside, it’s all centred around BMW’s Curved Display, a big, sweeping screen that combines your digital driver display and infotainment, running the latest iDrive operating system.
I mean… it’s a BMW. There’s just something about the brand that makes you feel a bit fancy the moment you get in. But beyond that, the design is actually really thoughtful. Everything feels intentional, from the materials to the layout.
One standout is the floating centre console, which opens up the cabin space and gives it that clean, minimal feel without losing practicality. It’s these little design choices that make it feel properly premium, not just “nice.”
Yes, all new cars have tech now, but BMW does it in a way that feels considered, not just crammed in.
The "My Modes" feature is one of my favourites. Switching between Personal, Sport and Efficient doesn’t just tweak performance — it changes the whole vibe of the car. Ambient lighting shifts, the display graphics change and even the driving feel adjusts. It’s subtle, but it makes the experience feel really tailored.
Other highlights:
I’m running out of excuses for road trips, so we headed back to one of our go-to spots, Inverloch, for a weekend away (around 150km from Melbourne).
Range-wise, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 handled it easily. You could comfortably do the trip there and back without needing to charge, but I’m one of those people who likes to top up whenever I get the chance. Honestly, it’s no different to how I treat petrol. We just trickle charged overnight, and that was more than enough to go again the next day without giving it a second thought.
What really stood out was how composed and confident it felt on the drive. It’s quiet, smooth, and responsive, with plenty of power on hand when overtaking or merging, making long drives feel easy and relaxed.
As a fun bonus, we also had friends join us with a newborn, so naturally the “will a baby seat fit?” question came up. The answer: easily. There’s plenty of space in the back, and the wide-opening doors make getting a baby seat in and out far less of a struggle. It’s something you definitely appreciate in real life.
Honestly? I loved it.
The iX1 just feels like such a well-rounded package. Premium without being over the top, practical without being boring and an absolute pleasure to drive, which isn’t something you can say about every EV.
What really stands out is how effortlessly it fitted into my everyday life. It’s quiet on the road, performance is smooth and responsive and it’s easy to keep it charged. It fitted naturally into my routine – just plug in overnight and I’m set for the day/week ahead.
If luxury is on your radar, the BMW iX1 makes a compelling case. Plus, it’s even more appealing when you can enjoy significant savings when you novate an EV.
