2017 BMW X3 owner test drives the iX1 LWB

Other than the ride and comfort one of the primary objective of my better-half is to do a back to back comparo with our 2017 BMW xDrive

BHPian facelyft recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

BMW iX1 LWB: First Impressions

1. The car looks fantastic from the front.
2. Very matured suspension over sever speed bumps, lose gravel and rubble.
3. Composed at high speeds (over a newly laid BT road).
4. I and my wife switched driver seat 3 times and every time there are at least half dozen taps to switch collision warnings etc.
5. Switching between the modes is another touch'y affair
6. I must admit, I have not used voice commands which would've made our life a lot easier.
7. 9ft-moonroof is nice to have; but "summer" already. None of us are a fan.
8. Black and Tan interiors are sweet.

Comparison with BMW X3:

We are lucky that both the current X3 and the new IX1 LWB are in same shade which made this comparison a tad easier.

1. From the outside, iX1 LWB looks as tall as X3; however, from the inside, it feels a lot more cramped.

2. We felt X3 is a lot wider on the outside and roomy from inside too.
3. Considering highest seating positions; X3 is commanding and iX1 is sporty but lower.
4. Anybody switching from another bimmer are going to miss the idrive & gear lever very badly.
5. Parking brake is not a lift up button; just another push/touch. Not intuitive. However the ring-type gear shifter works as good as a regular gear lever. I miss the feel and size of the lever, though.
6. Flap type handles are of good quality; again, need some getting used to.
7. Steering is super-light but not vague.
8. B-mode is causing a lot of irritation while I was in passenger seat; feels like, when a new driver takes a highway for the first time and breaks hard often out of anxiety or lack of experience. My head kept going back and forth whenever my wife takes her foot off the accelerator. This is the most discomforting but economical mode though.
9. Like all EVs, very quiet cabin which can help you count the number of treads on each tyre on nice roads (I mean, tyre noise)
10. Rear seats: I am almost six-foot-tall, sits as comfortably as in my X3; knees up position.
11. We both could see the bonnet line from the driver's seat.

Considering the subsidies on electric vehicles in Telangana, Rs 49L ex-showroom price translates to Rs 53.5 L OTR which makes the car sweeter when I consider a trade-off.

Overall, the car and further test drives; mmm, it's a good 'HEAD'ache to have for few months.

By the way, bookings are closed currently and may open in Q3-2025.

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