BMW iX1 LWB Review: Stunning Luxury EV You Must See

Introduction

The BMW iX1 LWB is not just another electric SUV. It’s a huge step forward for BMW in India in the field of luxury, performance, space, and, of course, electric efficiency at an unthinkable price point. The country has clinched the title of the first-ever market outside that long- wheelbase version, and indeed, the iX1 LWB has catered to the Indian buyer’s needs. This model focuses on rear-seat comfort, family practicality, and extravagant features. But does it offer enough to be your next EV? This guide contains every detail—performance, features, comfort, practicality, and all-important real-world applications—so you can decide if this luxury EV is worth your bucks.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Launched in: January 2025 at Bharat Mobility Expo
• Starting Price: ₹49 lakh (ex-showroom)
• Battery: 66.4 kWh
• Range: Up to 531 km (claimed)
• Drive Type: Front-wheel drive (FWD)
• Power Output: 201 bhp
• Wheelbase: 2800 mm (108mm longer than standard iX1)
• Assembly: Locally assembled (CKD unit) in India

Design and External

Longer, Sleeker, Yet Familiar

The iX1 LWB looks like a regular iX1 but with much more balanced proportions.

• Increased Length: 116 mm with more elegant standing.
• Increased Wheelbase: 108 mm, thus improved rear-seat space.
• Carries M Sport Styling, thus more sporty and aggressive look.
• Adaptive LED headlamps, sharp daytime running lights.
• 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.
• Flush door handles and blacked-out window surrounds.
• Five body color options: Portimao Blue, Mineral White, and Carbon Black.

The longer dimensions make the vehicle appear more premium, without looking stretched or disproportionate.

Interior and Cabin Experience

Rear-Seat Comfort Takes the Lead

As far as this car has been designed, it obviously suits rear-seat passengers. The iX1 LWB has a chauffeur-driven experience within the dynamics of a compact luxury SUV.

Rear Seat Features

• 109 mm more knee space compared to that of the regular iX1
• Extension of the seat base by 15 mm for better under-thigh support
• Seat backrest reclines up to 28.5 degrees
• Bigger panoramic glass roof for enhanced airy feeling
• Even with a raised floor due to the battery, it’s comfortable for long journeys

Front Cabin Features

• Dual curved digital display:
  • 10.25-inch digital driver display
  • 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment with BMW Operating System 9
• Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system (205W)
• Dual-zone climate control
• Ambient lighting
• Vegan leather upholstery in mocha brown

The dashboard arrangement is neat and simple with fewer physical buttons. Some users may consider the reliance on touch-only controls for things like AC, drive modes, and regen braking to be slightly inconvenient.

Performance and Driving Experience

Balanced but not Sporty

This replaces dual-motor AWD iX1 by the LWB single motor front wheel drive mechanism for the iX1 performance specifications.

Performance Specifications

• Power: 201 bhp
• Torque: 250 Nm
• 0-100 km/h: 8.6 seconds (claimed)
• Top Speed: 175 km/h

It does not encourage excitement, but smooth, predictable, and simple.

Drive Modes

• Efficient: Best for cities and full-range use
• Personal: Custom set
• Sport: Sharper throttle and quicker response
• B Mode: For enhanced regenerative braking and one-pedal driving

This definitely has a light feel at low speeds around the city and then feels a bit firmer at highway speeds. It is not the most feedback-hungry setup but works just fine for day-to-day stuff and family life.

Battery, Charging, and Range

Dependable and Together

Specifications on Battery:

• Capacity: 66.4 kWh
• Type: Lithium-ion
• Range (Claimed): 531 km (MIDC)
• Real-world Range: About 400-450 km, usage-dependent

Charging Options

The company also provides every single buyer with an 11 kW wallbox charger with the purchase of their vehicle. The My BMW App is used to track and schedule charging while also being able to locate charging stations and remotely access the vehicle status.

Ride Quality and Suspension

Firm but Comfortable

It shares the same platform with the petrol X1, being adapted to the EV weight.

• Front: Double wishbone suspension
• Rear: Multi-link suspension

Driving in the City:

• Wells and potholes adjust into uneven surfaces pretty comfortably
• Though low-speed bumps are absorbed, the firmness still comes through
• Ideal for urban India

Highway Cruising:

• Stable and composed at high speeds
• Expansion joints are felt but not harsh
• Good for long-distance cruising

Handling and Dynamics

Not meant to be a sportscar, but still very stable

• Good weight distribution (~50:50)
• Front-wheel drive gives it predictability
• 225/55 R18 size tyres have good grip
• Very minimal body roll in corners

The iX1 LWB is not a real driver’s car, but it does actually seem to feel secure and balanced, even when you push it a little bit.

Tech, Features, and Practicality

Feature Rich, but No Gimmicks

Infotainment and Connectivity

• BMW OS 9 software
• Touchscreen-only controls for most functions
• Integrated navigation (subscription-based)
• Over-the-air (OTA) updates
• Built-in eSIM and connected features
• Digital key (via smartphone app)

Driver Assistance

• Level 2 ADAS package
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive high beam
• Front collision mitigation
• Speed assist and driver attention monitoring

Boot Space and Utility

Family Practicality

• Boot Capacity: 490 litres
• With seats reclined: Up to 1,600 litres
• Optional spare wheel: Available as optional accessory
• Rear seats can be split folded (60:40)

This makes the iX1 LWB pretty much the family car that would suffice for weekend trips or airport runs.

It is drilled into the heart of technology with safety.

• 8 airbags are placed
• ABS with EBD
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)
• ISOFIX child-seat mounts
• Hill-hold assist
• All-around disc brakes
• Parking sensors + rear camera

Although NCAP crash test results have not yet been published, one can be assured of the global safety reputation that BMW enjoys.

iX1 LWB vs Competition

The iX1 LWB undercuts premium EV rivals, while offering a proper luxury experience with a badge to match.

Ownership and assistance after sales

Warranty and assistance

• Battery warranty: 8 years or 160,000 km
• Vehicle warranty: Standard 2 years (extendable)
• Free roadside assistance for 5 years
• Service packages: Optional 5-year maintenance plans available

BMW has built a solid service network in metros, with further EV-specific support coming in 2025.

Pluses and Minuses

What’s So Good

• Rear space and comfort excellent
• Affordable price, with a hint of luxury in it
• Easy to drive and offers smooth rides
• Strong claimed range
• Features that can be categorized as premium

What Could Be Better

• Not too exciting to drive
• Doesn’t offer ventilator seats
• May be a distraction with the touchscreen controls
• Rear sun blinds are missing
• Raised rear floor affects the seat position

Who Should Buy the BMW iX1 LWB?

• Owners that use chauffeur-driven cars who focus on space and comfort.
• Family buyers who want a luxury EV for both highway and city use.
• First-time buyers of luxury EVs looking for a good, value-brand entry point.
• Urban commuters with charging access.

Is Buying the BMW iX1 LWB Worth It?

The BMW iX1 LWB is an impressive initiative by the brand. It fuses electric efficiency with practicality and luxury at a price no one would expect from an EV. Not that it’s the sportiest BMW, but it will quite certainly score as one of the cleverest. For many Indian buyers, this might be the best first step into premium electric mobility, possibly the best-value luxury EV on the market today.

FAQs on the BMW iX1 LWB

1. When was the BMW iX1 LWB formally launched in India, and why is it important?

Launched officially in India during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in January 2025, the BMW iX1 LWB is important because it launched the country as the first in the world to receive the long-wheelbase version of the iX1 even before major markets like China. This signifies how serious BMW is with the growing demand for premium EVs in the Indian market.

2. What is the ex-showroom and on-road price of the BMW iX1 LWB? Why are considered competitive prices?

The BMW iX1 LWB ex-showroom price starts at ₹49 lakh. Depending on the city and taxes, the on-road price usually ranges between ₹51 lakh to ₹57 lakh. The price quoted above is considered aggressive and competitive as it undercuts not only its electric rivals like Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volvo C40 Recharge but also BMW’s very own petrol X1. For a fully electric SUV with all the bells and whistles of luxury and a long range, this pricing is a game changer in the segment.

3. What is the top speed of the BMW iX1 LWB, and is it suitable for highway use?

Offering a thrilling top speed of 175 km/h, the iX1 moves with priority from 0 to 100 km/h at 8.6 seconds. While the performance level may not be as fast as some electric SUVs on the market today, they easily maneuver the highways in comfort and total stability. Highway driving, long road trips, and overtaking maneuvers are nicely fitted with this one set in Sport for better throttle push.

4. What about climbing steep hills and other ups-and-downs, working solely with front wheel drives?

The BMW iX1 LWB may be categorized as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle, yet, during almost 10 degrees of incline and on rough and hilly roads, it performs confidently. Smooth climbing comes with instant torque from the electric motor. Though it is less suited to rough road conditions than an all-wheel-drive SUV, for inner-city hill stations or weekend getaways, it provides liberty enough, bolstered by traction control and electronic stability functions.

5. Is the BMW iX1 LWB available in different variants or trim levels?

Currently, the iX1 LWB is offered in a single variant called the eDrive20L M Sport. This trim gives most premium features as standard, including a curved infotainment display, panoramic roof, and a Harman Kardon sound system. BMW might introduce variants depending on the demand in the future, but for now, the buyer gets an all-loaded version with the first batch of deliveries.

6. How does the BMW iX1 LWB compare in length and size to other BMW models like the X1 and X3?

An in-between model in terms of size, the iX1 LWB sits between the regular X1 and X3. It is 4,616 mm long with a 2,800-mm wheelbase; this means it is longer than the regular X1 by more than 100 mm but is still shorter than the X3. This is a sweet spot for those buyers who want more space than an entry SUV but are unwilling to go up to the largers and pricier X3.

7. What unique software or digital features does the iX1 LWB offer that make it shine when considered alongside competitors?

The iX1 LWB employs the BMW Operating System 9, which gives support for app-based controls, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and even subscription-based upgrades. The car connects with your smartphone using the My BMW App, allowing you to remotely pre-cool the cabin, check the vehicle location, and even book charging stations. It gives you a digital key option, through which your smartphone can be used for unlocking and starting the car without involving a physical key.

8. What is the kind of user experience in bumper-to-bumper traffic expected from the iX1 LWB?

The iX1 LWB provides a quiet and pleasurable driving experience in heavy city traffic. The electric motor is silent and smooth, almost like the steering, and efficient drive mode helps ease the stress when driving slowly. Regenerative braking helps reduce the constant pressing of the brake pedal, which proves to be appreciated during stop-and-go situations. Overall, it is a comfort for the urban daily commute.

9. The iX1 LWB works out to run at an average cost compared to a petrol SUV.

It costs on average ₹400 to ₹500 to fully charge the iX1 LWB at home, depending on your rates of electricity. The real-world range being approximately 400 to 450 km, that costs the running about ₹1 to ₹1.2 per km. In contrast, a segment petrol SUV would cost about ₹8 to ₹10 per km, given the petrol price and fuel consumption rate. That means significant savings for the daily running cost over time.

10. Will there be some special benefits for early buyers of the BMW iX1 LWB in India?

Yes, early birds buying the iX1 LWB benefit from an introductory price, pegged at ₹49 lakh, which is expected to hold only good for the first six months of production. A free wall-mounted home charger (11kw) is being provided by BMW to those with early deliveries. Furthermore, there will be priority customer service, fast-track delivery slots, and special mobile charging service in leading metro cities via BMW’s roadside support network for early owners.

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