BMW India has unveiled its first locally assembled electric vehicle, the iX1 LWB, with a price tag of Rs 49 lakh. This launch also signifies a milestone for the country, as India becomes the first right-hand drive market to receive BMW’s long-wheelbase models. Competing in this price bracket and segment, the BMW iX1 LWB takes on rivals like the Mercedes EQA, Volvo EX40, and Mini Countryman Electric. Let’s explore how the new arrival stacks up against the competition.
One of the standout features of the iX1 LWB is its extended wheelbase, measuring 71mm longer than the Mercedes EQA’s, 98mm more than the EX40, and 102mm longer than the Countryman. This results in the largest boot space among its peers, and its overall dimensions promise a roomy interior. While the Volvo EX40 is the widest option in this group, the Countryman is the most compact, sporting the smallest standard 17-inch wheels. There are optional 19-inch upgrades on offer as well. The best wheel clearly belong to the MiniCountryman EV.
BMW iX1 LWB does lack some features against its rivals, but the large 10-inch screen, highest quality and appointed cabin makes things welcoming, luxurious and traditionally BMW. Volvo’s cabin does look dated now and Mercedes continues with highly welcoming cabin which is plush but has a smaller screen than its rivals in this comparison by a small margin. The Countryman’s sustainable interior with a large screen and excellent interior is funkier of the lot while maintaining elegance.
An interesting point is that both the iX1 LWB and Countryman Electric use the same battery and powertrain setup, featuring a 66.4kWh battery that feeds a front-mounted 204hp motor. Both models claim identical 0-100kph times, top speeds, and charging durations; however, the range differs. The Mini boasts a 462km range under the more demanding WLTP cycle, while the BMW is rated at a noteworthy 531km according to the MIDC. When it comes to range, the EQA leads the pack with its larger battery pack.
Regarding performance, the RWD Volvo EX40 stands out as the most powerful, achieving the highest top speed and fastest 0-100kph time among the competitors. On the flip side, the BMW and Mini, with their relatively smaller batteries, enjoy the advantage of quicker charging times.
For now, the introductory pricing of the BMW iX1 LWB positions it competitively, making it significantly more affordable than its rivals: it undercuts the Mercedes EQA by a striking Rs 18.2 lakh, is Rs 7.1 lakh cheaper than the Volvo EX40, and costs Rs 5.9 lakh less than the Mini Countryman Electric.
On the surface, the BMW iX1 LWB presents as a more attractive option in terms of pricing, size, and interior space compared to competitors. However, there are possibilities of more being offered from the brand in the future. Right now, BMW ix1 makes a strong case for a large set of consumers in India.
