Test drove the BMW iX1 in BLR traffic: Quick take on comfort & ride

When I started, I was neutral about ICE vs. EV, but now, I feel like I’d be happier with an EV.

BHPian areddy recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I took a test drive of the BMW iX1 LWB yesterday. Until now, I have been surviving on Ola and Uber, but I finally decided it was time to buy something for myself. The car will be driven primarily by me, with occasional use by my family. I wanted a “feel-good” car, so I started looking at BMW and Mercedes. Initially, I considered the E-Class, but I realized it’s way too much space for one person, especially since I won’t be using a driver. I also looked at Mercedes’ EV options, but I haven’t taken a test drive yet.

Then came the iX1 LWB launch, and I was intrigued. I took a test drive last Sunday at Deutsche Motoren. Special shoutout to Deepu, who handled the test drive for me.

First Impressions

Exterior: The car looks… okay. Not bad, but also not exciting. It doesn’t scream BMW at first glance, and I felt it looked a bit bland. The test car was in Sparkling Copper Grey, which may not have been the most striking color. I was looking around to see if it turned heads – but it didn’t.

Interior: Again, a bit bland. Coming from Ola/Uber cars, my last recent drive was my sister’s Kia Sonet, which felt like it had more bells and whistles. That said, the build quality felt solid – the steering, door handles, and other touchpoints had that premium feel. The infotainment system was being updated, so I couldn’t test it.

Driving Experience

My driving benchmarks are Ola/Uber and my sister’s Sonet, so obviously, the iX1 felt leagues ahead. I drove it on ORR and internal roads in Hennur, so I didn’t get a chance to push it to high speeds. Ride quality was good – no scraping on potholes or speed breakers. It felt planted and smooth, but honestly, it didn’t feel drastically different from other cars I’ve been in. Acceleration felt great when overtaking, but since I wasn’t pushing it, I didn’t get to fully experience the performance.

Seating Comfort

I am 6 feet tall, and the driver’s seat felt very comfortable – but not as plush as an E-Class. In the back seat, with my driving position set, the legroom was slightly tight but manageable. More than space, I felt the under-thigh support was lacking – my legs weren’t naturally resting on the seat, which might become an issue on long drives.

3 Reasons Why Would I Buy It?

1. BMW Badge – It’s still a BMW at the end of the day.
2. Financial Package – The combination of pricing and buyback guarantee is attractive.
3. Service Every 2 Years – The SA mentioned this, and if true, it’s a huge plus.
4. Large Panoramic Moonroof – Adds to the overall experience. (4th reason!)

3 Reasons Why Might I Not Buy It?

1. The “Poor Man’s BMW” Issue – There’s some chatter that the iX1 feels like an entry-level BMW, and I wonder if that would take away from the premium feel.
2. Minimal Features – The car lacks many small luxuries. Since I don’t own a car currently, I don’t know what I’d miss, but ventilated seats, rear sunblinds, better under-thigh support, and a 360-degree camera are things that come to mind.
3. Looks Too Plain – I was hoping for something more exciting, either on the exterior or interior. The car I test-drove had neither. I want to see it in another color and with a working infotainment system before deciding.

ICE vs. EV?

When I started, I was neutral about ICE vs. EV, but now, I feel like I’d be happier with an EV. No fuel station visits, lower service costs, and a quieter ride sound appealing. I don’t care about “pure driving feel” – my driving style is relaxed, so an EV suits me fine.

What Next?

Are there any other cars I should test-drive? I was curious if Mini has an EV option, but the Countryman EV doesn’t look too exciting visually.

Would love to hear suggestions from the forum!

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