Common consensus is that EVs aren’t as much fun as their internal combustion engine powered versions, but BMW has done more than turn this belief on its head. While the i5 M60 is a glorious example, the iX1 launched last year impressed immensely too, with its performance, fun factor and range. But BMW India made jaws drop at the 2025 Auto Expo by launching the long wheelbase iX1 at just Rs 49 lakh ex-showroom!
This, while offering more space and more range than before! All along we’ve also had car makers price electric versions of existing models at a higher price, but BMW seems to have pulled a rabbit out of its hat with the iX1 LWB. Okay, the above price is valid only for the first six months of production. But hey, the iX1 LWB is BMW’s first locally assembled EV, enabling the price tag, which for the record is even lower than the petrol X1! So, the big question is, should you be making a beeline for BMW showrooms?
First things first, the iX1 LWB is 116mm longer than the standard wheelbase version. Hard to notice by merely glancing, but those with a keen eye will notice the difference. The iX1 LWB looks more mature thanks to the increased length, like a more evolved version. There are barely any changes on the design front though, as the headlamps, intricately designed, closed-off grille, 18-inch wheels, sharp looking tail lamps and spoiler are all the same.
Not that I’m complaining, and the LWB we drove even came with the same M Sport styling. As is the case with long wheelbase versions, most of the gains in terms of space are at the back. In fact, given the amount of legroom and kneeroom it offers in the second row, the iX1 LWB is anything but ‘compact’. BMW has also increased the length of the seat squab by 15mm, improving under thigh support, and used softer cushioning to enhance comfort further.
You can even recline the rear seatback, up to 28.5 degrees. Clearly, it’s the chauffeur-driven lot of buyers that BMW has in its crosshairs. You also get a larger – but fixed – panoramic sunroof, which adds to the sense of space. I’m curious though, as to why were rear sun blinds given a miss. The dashboard, cockpit, centre console and most bits remain unchanged. The ‘Boost’ paddle behind the steering is gone though. It was a nice feature, as it offered 10 seconds of additional thrust. Also, front seats do not massage anymore – dropping these was part of the plan to get to that shockingly good price tag, clearly!
The biggest change is under the skin, as BMW has dropped one electric motor, meaning the iX1 LWB uses a single motor and is FWD now, and not AWD. This also results in a big drop in performance as outputs are down from 313PS to 204PS and from 494Nm to 250Nm. Reason to complain? Maybe not. That’s because the LWB uses the same 66.4kWh battery pack and claimed range per charge is now up to 531km from 440km – a gain of nearly 100km, which is a big deal! Acceleration is slower, but performance is not exactly disappointing. This isn’t an outright performance EV, and performance is in line with what you would expect.
While it did call for more planning when overtaking at highway speeds, the iX1 LWB’s performance did not disappoint in city. It also feels fairly accomplished as a daily driver and more importantly, the longer range helps. The LWB also makes you want to drive it more calmly, unlike the standard version that I remember egging me to drive harder. Handling is as confident as it gets though, with that typical BMW edge in terms of sportiness.
Ride quality is plush, as we’ve come to expect of new-age BMWs, and this one is sure to also impress buyers with its ride quality, besides the additional space. And that’s because the iX1 LWB beats its direct rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ and Volvo XC40 Recharge hands down in terms of backseat comfort. In a nutshell, BMW has created an entry-level luxury EV that’s very lucrative, for a range of buyers. And even when prices go up later this year, the iX1 LWB will still be a very sweet deal given its space, comfort and range per charge. It’s sure to make fence-sitters want to take the plunge too!
