Surprisingly Affordable BMW iX1 and iX2 Deliver Sportiness and Luxury in Equal Measure

Few things are certain in this world except death, taxes, and BMW making great premium automobiles. The brand prides itself on long-term thinking and responsible actions, and in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, this also means luxury at an affordable price.

BMW is packing the cutting-edge technology found in its top-of-the-range models into six EVs priced below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold of AUD$89,332 for fuel-efficient vehicles, which includes:

1. BMW iX1 eDrive20 – from AUD$78,900 plus on-road costs
2. BMW iX1 xDrive30 – from AUD$84,900 plus on-road costs
3. BMW iX2 eDrive20 – from AUD$82,900 plus on-road costs
4. BMW iX2 xDrive30 – from AUD$85,700 plus on-road costs
5. BMW i4 eDrive35 sedan – from AUD$85,900 plus on-road costs
6. BMW iX3 M Sport SUV – from AUD$89,100 plus on-road costs

For this article, we’ll focus on the all-new—and rather good-looking—BMW iX1 and iX2 models. We’ve been driving them for a few weeks now, and we can’t believe how much car you’re getting for the money.

Until now, we’ve only seen features such as BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which has more than 20 inches of combined screen real estate, acoustic glazing on the glass to reduce road noise, and Driving Assistant Professional with steering and lane control, active cruise control, and blind spot monitoring for safety in luxury sedans like the BMW 5-Series, which has taken another leap forward in technology.

However, as we get behind the wheel of the complete line-up of BMW EVs priced below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT), we uncover more features, more cutting-edge technology, and more safety than expected in vehicles at such an attainable price point. Let’s take a closer look at the BMW iX1 and iX2.

By The Numbers, These Vehicles Exceed Expectations

Whether this is your first or fifth electric vehicle, the first thing you’ll want to know is how far it can go, how long it takes to charge, how fast it is in a straight line, and how much money it will cost you. We’ve included some quick stats below that will answer your most burning questions, by the numbers.

You’ll notice that every model in the line-up offers 395 km of range or more, while those who need a little more can get up to 464 km of range (according to locally homologated ADR 81/02 certification) from the sub-$80k iX1 eDrive20. We found this plenty to get us to and from work for a week while still managing longer journeys. Adaptive recuperation and the MAX RANGE function also contribute to the outstanding range figures.

Performance-wise, the more powerful xDrive30 models offer 230kW of power (including temporary boost) from two electric motors and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, which is ideal for overtaking situations and complements the vehicles’ sporty characteristics.

Charging is an often overlooked area in electric vehicle ownership, but both the BMW iX1 and iX2 stand out amongst a sea of competitors by offering 22kW onboard AC charging capability as standard equipment. That means faster charging at home or when using other AC charging stations that support this standard. When you’re travelling, you can take advantage of the 130kW DC charging capability in both models for 10-80 per cent charge in less than 30 minutes.

New owners also get a 12-month subscription to the national Chargefox network, which claims the title of Australia’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

Cutting-edge Technology as Standard

Having spent time with iX1 and iX2, we found plenty of similarities between them, particularly on the inside. They both use the stunning BMW Curved Display, which includes BMW Live Cockpit Professional, with a 10.7-inch customisable screen for the driver that combines with a 10.25-inch curved widescreen display sporting new Operating System 9 software.

This software includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside QuickSelect rapid-access tech, which provides shortcuts to often-used features like the home button and aircon controls.

You’ll also get access to BMW Digital Premium for the first time. This subscription-based service adds features to the BMW Curved Display. We mainly used the Expanded BMW Maps function, which adds real-time traffic information to the whole map (RTTI) alongside 3D buildings and landmarks. However, downloading apps through the BMW ConnectedDrive store and streaming videos while charging is also very handy. The same applies to music, podcasts, news, and AirConsole Games.

Take Things To the Next Level of Luxury

Alongside the vast array of technology, we found the interior was complete with an impressive amount of standard equipment, including acoustic glazing on the glass to enhance the electric vehicle experience and remove the majority of cabin noise, electric seats in the front row, an instrument panel in Sensatec material, and an M Headliner in Anthracite. You can, however, take things to the next level of luxury with the optional BMW Enhancement pack (AUD$3,615).

This package adds comfort features including a panoramic glass sunroof, Harman/Kardon surround sound system, heated steering wheel, lumbar support with active massage function for the front row seats, an automatic tailgate, and adaptive LED headlights.

Choose the Model That Best Fits Your Needs

Knowing the BMW iX1 and iX2 are both filled with luxury on the inside, we recommend choosing the model that best fits your needs. The iX1’s taller roofline makes it ideal for those who value rear passenger comfort and need space for taller items in the boot. It would also work for those who regularly travel with more than two people in the car, and it would perfectly suit a young and growing family with ISOFIX anchor points for the two outboard seats and a top-tether point for all three seats.

On the other hand, the stylish BMW iX2 still offers the same levels of luxury and comfort but clearly differentiates itself from the iX1 by leaning into its sporty attitude with a striking, modern design courtesy of a coupé silhouette and a sloping rear glass.

To get your hands on the BMW iX1 and BMW iX2, check out the BMW Australia website linked below, where you can build and price your perfect vehicle. BMW Finance also includes a BMW Full Circle Novated Lease option for the BMW iX2 xDrive20*:

*Fees, conditions and eligibility criteria apply:

Estimated weekly cost on your take-home pay assumes: 1. Employer agrees to salary package arrangements and pays lease payments from pre-tax salary 2. FBT electric vehicle exemption applies; 3. NSW vehicle drive away price (price varies by state/territory); 4. Base model vehicle with no added options at the manufacturer recommended vehicle drive away price (including novated lease discount) available at participating BMW dealers only; 5. 2024-2025 PAYG Income Tax brackets; 6. Pre-tax annual salary of $130,000.

Offer conditions and details include: (a) New vehicles must ordered and delivered, and lease applications submitted and approved, between 01.07.2024 and 30.09.2024 (BMW Finance reserves the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time); (b) BMW Full Circle Novated Lease includes a guaranteed future value option with no residual value risk on lease expiry provided fair wear and tear and kilometre requirements met; (c) Lease payments include GST; (d) Lease terms require monthly instalments, and equivalent weekly amounts are quoted for comparison.

The information on this website is of a general nature and for your information only. Tax savings and cost to take-home pay are: (a) indicative and estimates only; and (b) can vary depending upon personal circumstances. Savings results should not be taken as a substitute for independent professional taxation and financial advice and tax advice is recommended as to any potential incentives and benefits that may be available in relation to novated leasing of electric vehicles.