BMW iX1 Compared to Competitors: Mercedes, Audi and Genesis

Enter the BMW iX1, a vehicular embodiment of unmatched engineering brilliance that has taken the world by storm. This majestic machine represents the pinnacle of electric compact SUVs and commands the respect of its competitors. To truly appreciate the iX1, one must compare it to its competitors, namely the Mercedes EQA, Audi Q4 e-Tron, and the exceptional Genesis GV60, which has proven to be a worthy opponent in this category.

BMW iX1 compared to the competition

It is worthy of note that the BMW iX1 is currently only available in an all-wheel-drive version, whereas its competitors offer different drivetrain options that warrant a closer look. The iX1 boasts an impressive powertrain with a staggering 230 kW all-wheel drive and a phenomenal range of up to 438 kilometers. However, to truly gauge the value that this wonder of automotive ingenuity brings to the table, it is essential to compare it to the competition.

BMW ix1 Electric Estate 230kw xdrive30 m Sport 64.7kwh 5dr Auto - 2

BMW iX1 xDrive30 – Mercedes EQA 350 4Matic – Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro – Genesis GV60 Sport

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Length: 4.50m – 4.46m – 4.59m – 4.52m

Drive: 4WD – 4WD – 4WD – 4WD

System power:#bb#230 kW#b – 215 kW – 220 kW b#- 234 kW

0-100 km/h:#bb#5.7 sec#b – 6.0 sec – 6.2 sec b#- 5.5 sec

Peak:#b 180 km/h – 160 km/h – 180 km/hb#- 200 km/h

Power consumption WLTP: from 17.3 kWh – from 17.4 kWh – 21.1 kWh – 18.8 kWh

Battery (net): 65 kWh – 67 kWh – 77 kWh – 77 kWh

Range WLTP:#b up to 438 km – up to 438 km – 416 km b#- 470 km

DC charging power:#b up to 130 kW – up to 100 kW – up to 135 kW b#- 240 kW (?)

Price: 55,000 euros – 56,424 euros – 56,300 euros – 56,370 euros

Market launch: Nov. 2022 – n/a – June 2022 – June 2022

It appears that the BMW iX1 xDrive30 has an advantage over its competitors from Mercedes and Audi, in terms of powertrain specs. This is likely due to BMW’s decision to develop the car specifically to outperform its rivals. The advantage of being a newer model is that it can incorporate the latest technology and advancements, making it more competitive in the market. The addition of the Genesis GV60 to the comparison table may change the perspective and give a more clear picture of how it stands in comparison to its competitors.

Mercedes equal – Audi loses

Mercedes eqa Hatchback eqa 300 4matic 168kw amg Line 66.5kwh 5dr Auto - 1

The Mercedes EQA has similar specs to the BMW iX1 xDrive30, making it a strong competitor. However, the iX1 has some advantages over the EQA. One of them is the higher maximum charging power at fast charging stations. Although it’s the average charging power that is more important, the higher maximum power can be useful in some situations. Additionally, the iX1 has a higher top speed and a lower price point than the EQA. These factors could make the BMW iX1 xDrive30 more appealing to certain buyers.

The most powerful version of the Audi Q4 e-tron falls short of the BMW iX1 xDrive30 when it comes to powertrain specs. The Audi’s high power consumption is particularly striking, which leads to a shorter range despite having a larger battery. This can be a disadvantage for buyers who prioritize range over power.

When compared to other similarly-sized electric SUVs, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 stands out as a strong competitor. The Lexus UX, for example, has only 150 kW of drive power and a range of 315 km which is significantly less than the iX1. Similarly, while the Volvo XC40 Pure Electric is more powerful than the iX1 with 300 kW, it only offers a range of 418 km. This indicates that the iX1 offers a good balance of power and range, making it a strong option for buyers in this category.

Genesis: Strong range and fast loading

The Genesis GV60, which will be launched in June, excels in many categories when compared to the BMW iX1 xDrive30 and other competitors. With its 234 kW all-wheel drive, the Sport version is more powerful than the BMW, but most importantly it has a significantly higher range of 470 km. This enormous range is reportedly made possible by the combination of a large battery with relatively low power consumption.

Genesis g70 Diesel Shooting Brake 2.2d Luxury Line 5dr Auto - 1

Another advantage of the GV60 is its 800-volt system, which should enable fast charging. Although Genesis has not yet revealed the maximum charging power, it is expected that a charge increase from 0 to 80 percent at a 350 kW column should only take 18 minutes, this is the same charging time that Kia specifies for the closely related Kia EV6 with a 77 kWh battery, which can achieve up to 240 kW.

Conclusion: BMW iX1 xDrive30 loses to Genesis GV60 Sport

Overall, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 has an advantage over its rivals Audi and Mercedes in terms of powertrain specs. However, when compared to the Genesis GV60, it falls short mainly due to the GV60’s longer range and larger charging capacity. The iX1’s lower price point may be its only advantage over the GV60.

It’s important to note that this comparison is based on the only version of the iX1 that has been announced so far and it’s not clear if and when BMW will release other versions of the iX1. It would be interesting to see a variant of the iX1 with two-wheel drive and a long-range, similar to the Tesla Model Y with a range of 533km or Mercedes EQA 250+ with 531km, as they are currently the longest-ranging smaller SUVs available.