SUVS and full EVs swallow an ever-increasing chunk of the new-car market, so mixing the two categories together seems to make plenty of sense for car makers.
However, the size and weight of a large SUV body are very much at odds with the efficiency needed by an electric powertrain, so merging the two together doesn't seem like the smartest way to save resources.
The compromise of a small electric SUV could be the answer, and here we try the new BMW iX1 against the Volvo C40 to see which is best.
BMW iX1
MODEL TESTED: BMW iX1 xDrive30 xLine
PRICE: £53,295 POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motor, 66.5kWh battery, 309bhp
THE iX1 starts from £53,295 with the xLine trim tested here. Including options such as a panoramic glass roof (£1,000), Vernasca leather (£1,150) and more, this car's total comes to £59,440.
Tech highlights
WHILE some rivals have been developed as an EV from the ground up, the iXi's platform can house combustion, PHEV and full-EV powertrains; the same UKL2 underpinnings also form the basis of the likes of the BMW 1 Series and MINI Countryman. As is the EV norm, the battery in this case, a 66.5kWh unit - is stored beneath the floor of the car, and BMW says that it's one of the most energy-dense yet.
It's part of the brand's fifth-gen electric tech, and BMW's latest developments can be found in the two motors - one driving each axle for four-wheel drive - which integrate their electronics inside a compact housing. Power stands at 309bhp - a figure that's temporarily available in a 'Boost' mode - putting the iX1 in line with many hot hatchbacks. There's also 494Nm of torque, which helps to offset the chunky 2,085kg kerbweight.
This story is from the April 05, 2023 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 05, 2023 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PERFORMANCE review
Updates have transformed the Audi RS 4 before it bows out for good, but can it beat the BMW M3 Touring?
Pick of the Porsches
In its 75 years, Porsche has built some of the most iconic cars ever. We look at the best
The rebirth of cool
Octavia has been the standard-bearer of Skoda's renaissance for 25 years. We mark that milestone by looking at four generations of the popular car
Evolution in action
As the Peugeot 205 turns 40, we look at how this most iconic of French superminis has influenced the brand's latest small car
Volkswagen T-Cross
FIRST DRIVE Updates focus on boosting compact SUV's quality
Vauxhall Astra ST Electric
FIRST DRIVE Estate version of electric family car comes with space to spare
Smart #3
FIRST DRIVE Has Smart righted the 1’s wrongs with the latest addition to its range?
BEAVER TOWN
When Citroen said it was supporting a scheme to rewild beavers in West London wetlands, we were eager to gnaw how it would work
HOUSE OF BUGATTI
| Upon his retirement, the man who's shaped all modern Bugattis SI reflects upon his stellar career with the ultimate supercar brand
AMG weaves its magic as Merc reveals faster CLE 53 coupé
THE new Mercedes CLE coupé is tasked with replacing two-door versions of both the C-Class and E-Class, and the line-up has been bolstered with the arrival of a hot AMG 53 variant.
