2026 BMW iX1: SiC Inverter Lifts Range to 514 km, From EUR 49,400

The BMW iX1 is the electric version of the third-generation X1, built at BMW's Regensburg plant, and it has just received its first meaningful technical update. From spring 2026 the front-wheel-drive iX1 eDrive20 and the dual-motor iX1 xDrive30 use a silicon-carbide (SiC) inverter in their power electronics, which BMW says lowers consumption on the WLTP cycle and lifts maximum range to 514 km (eDrive20) and 466 km (xDrive30), roughly 40 km and 30 km more than before. The battery is a little larger on paper (about 65 kWh net), the rated outputs are 150 kW (204 PS, about 201 hp) and, for the xDrive30, 225 kW (306 PS, about 302 hp), which BMW's German price list says can briefly rise to 230 kW (313 PS, about 309 hp) with a temporary boost of under 10 seconds, and DC charging remains at up to 130 kW. In Germany BMW's price list (issue of 30 September 2026, valid from November 2026) shows €49,400 for the eDrive20 and €56,600 for the xDrive30 including VAT and before options. In Israel the car is sold by BMW Israel, and the importer list on auto.co.il shows NIS 354,900 to NIS 404,000. BMW's release lists no change to the body or the cabin, so this is a quiet efficiency update to a compact premium electric SUV that already carried a familiar X1 shape.

Performance & Specs

The iX1 eDrive20 is the entry model. A single electrically excited synchronous motor on the front axle delivers 150 kW (204 PS, about 201 hp, with temporary boost) and 250 Nm of torque, which BMW quotes as 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 170 km/h. A note on units: BMW's "hp" in German-market releases is the metric horsepower, so 204 PS is about 201 imperial hp (204 PS x 0.9863). The numbers are brisk rather than sporty, and the eDrive20 is the version most buyers will see, because it also carries the longest range of the pair.

The iX1 xDrive30 adds a second motor on the rear axle, and BMW describes the layout as two highly integrated drive units, one at each axle. Each motor is rated at 140 kW (190 PS) peak, and the rated system output is 225 kW (306 PS, about 302 hp), which rises to 230 kW (313 PS, about 309 hp) for less than 10 seconds with the temporary boost, with 494 Nm of system torque. That is good for 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h, according to BMW's technical data. The continuous output of each motor is only 55 kW (75 PS), which is why the 230 kW figure carries the "temporary boost" qualifier: it is a peak lasting under 10 seconds, not something to expect on a long climb. The all-wheel-drive system distributes torque between the axles as needed, which is the main reason to pay the €7,200 premium over the eDrive20 in Germany. On the power figure: BMW Germany's price list (issue of 30 September 2026) gives the xDrive30 a rated output of 225 kW (306 PS, about 302 hp), the same figure as BMW's January 2026 PressClub release, and footnotes that up to 230 kW (313 PS, about 309 hp) is available with a temporary power boost of under 10 seconds. The older launch data sheet and ADAC's catalogue show only the boost figure, so 302 hp is the rated output and 309 hp the short boost peak.

The 2026 change is entirely under the skin. The SiC power electronics are more efficient than the earlier silicon parts, and BMW lists WLTP combined consumption of 16.1-16.0 kWh/100 km for the eDrive20 and 17.2-17.1 kWh/100 km for the xDrive30, which is roughly one kilowatt-hour per 100 km less than before according to independent coverage. BMW's release gives no figures for the old ranges and says only "a good 40 km"; ADAC and InsideEVs list the previous WLTP ranges at about 474 km (eDrive20) and 436-439 km (xDrive30), so the gain is about 40 km and about 30 km respectively. These regulatory figures include charging losses, so they read higher than a simple battery-divided-by-range estimate: EV Database, for example, lists 126-142 Wh/km for the eDrive20 measured at the vehicle, which matches the 514 km claim on a 65.2 kWh pack. The chassis is unchanged: a single-joint spring-strut front axle, a three-link rear axle, electric power steering with Servotronic, and an optional adaptive M suspension with a 15 mm lower ride height. Wheel-slip control sits close to the actuators for quicker intervention, an integrated braking system is fitted, and the car's drag coefficient is 0.26.

Powertrain	Single-motor front-wheel-drive BEV
Power	150 kW (204 PS / 201 hp) with temporary boost
Torque	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	8.6 s
Battery	65.2 kWh net (66.5 kWh gross)
Range	Up to 514 km WLTP

POWERTRAIN TYPE	Battery electric (BEV)
HORSEPOWER	eDrive20: 150 kW (204 PS / 201 hp); xDrive30: 225 kW (306 PS / 302 hp) rated, 230 kW (313 PS / 309 hp) for under 10 seconds with temporary boost
TORQUE	eDrive20: 250 Nm; xDrive30: 494 Nm
ACCELERATION	eDrive20: 8.6 s; xDrive30: 5.6 s (0-100 km/h)
TOP SPEED	eDrive20: 170 km/h; xDrive30: 180 km/h (electronically limited)
DRIVETRAIN	eDrive20: front-wheel drive; xDrive30: dual-motor all-wheel drive
BATTERY	About 65 kWh net (eDrive20 65.2 kWh, xDrive30 65.0 kWh per ADAC), 66.5 kWh gross
ELECTRIC RANGE	eDrive20: up to 514 km WLTP; xDrive30: up to 466 km WLTP

Dimensions & Practicality

Length	4,500 mm
Width	1,845 mm
Height	1,616 mm
Wheelbase	2,692 mm
Ground clearance	170 mm

At 4,500 mm long and 1,845 mm wide without mirrors, the iX1 is a true compact SUV, and the 2,692 mm wheelbase gives it room that BMW says is a clear step up from the previous X1. Boot space is 490 litres with the rear seats up and 1,495 litres with the 40:20:40 split backrests folded, a little less than the 540 to 1,600 litres of the combustion-engined X1 because of the underfloor battery. The kerb weight is 1,940 kg for the eDrive20 and 2,085 kg (EU, including driver) for the xDrive30, according to ADAC. The xDrive30 is rated to tow 1,200 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked, with a 75 kg roof-load limit, and an electrically operated tow hitch is available as an option on the X1 range.

LENGTH	4,500 mm
WIDTH	1,845 mm (without mirrors)
HEIGHT	1,616 mm
WHEELBASE	2,692 mm
CARGO VOLUME	490 L (1,495 L seats folded)
FRUNK	None

Charging & Battery

The iX1 uses a 400-volt architecture with an underfloor lithium-ion pack of roughly 65 kWh net. BMW's 2026 update keeps the DC limit at 130 kW, and the company's specification gives 29 minutes for a 10-80% charge at a fast-charging station. That is not class-leading by 2026 standards, but it is competitive for a car of this size, and anticipatory thermal management preconditions the battery automatically when a charging stop is set in the navigation. AC charging is 11 kW as standard, which BMW says fills the battery from zero to 100% in about 6.5 hours, and a three-phase 22 kW option shortens that to roughly 3 hours 45 minutes. Those AC and DC time figures come from the launch specification of the 64.7-65 kWh pack, and ADAC's 2026 data agrees on the 29 minutes and 130 kW.

BATTERY	About 65 kWh net, 66.5 kWh gross (65.2 kWh eDrive20 per EV Database and ADAC)
AC CHARGING	11 kW standard; 22 kW optional (three-phase)
DC FAST CHARGING	Up to 130 kW
DC 10-80% TIME	29 min at a fast-charging station

Design & Interior

The iX1 shares the X1's body, so the proportions are the same: an upright front end with a large, almost square kidney grille, slim LED headlights, X-shaped lines running to the sides and chrome strips in the lower air intake. On the electric model the grille is closed and carries a faceted pattern, and the car is distinguished from the combustion X1 by its model badge and blue accents on some versions. From the side, a long roofline, almost square wheel-arch contours and the slim tailgate window give the typical SAV look. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard, and the xLine and M Sport lines come with 18-inch wheels, with 19-inch and 20-inch rims available. BMW offers two solid and ten metallic colours, including a Frozen finish from BMW Individual. The studio photographs supplied by BMW show the eDrive20 in a teal-grey shade with silver underride protection, while the hero image is a silver-white launch-era press photo; BMW lists no visible change for 2026, so the photos show the car as it looked before the update.

Inside, a raised seating position and a slender instrument panel are the base of the cabin, which BMW says is styled on the larger iX. The BMW Curved Display combines a 10.25-inch information display and a 10.7-inch control display under one glass surface, and a floating armrest with integrated controls and a smartphone tray with indirect lighting sit on the centre console. Seat upholstery can be Sensatec perforated or Vernasca leather, and the options list includes sport seats, electric adjustment with memory and a lumbar massage function. The rear bench has three full-sized seats, according to BMW, and four USB-C ports and two 12-volt sockets are standard.

Technology & Features

The infotainment runs on BMW Operating System 9, which BMW states for the eDrive20, with iDrive QuickSelect, the BMW Maps navigation system, 2-zone automatic air conditioning and over-the-air updates as standard. Paid digital services are sold under the BMW Digital Premium offer, and the options list covers Digital Key Plus, an interior camera for snapshots, a Harman Kardon sound system, a panoramic glass sunroof and the BMW Head-Up Display. Smartphone integration is available through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and BMW also lists a personal eSIM for 5G connectivity. The equipment descriptions in BMW's releases relate to the German market and to the launch specification of the X1 range, so trim contents can differ by country and may have been repackaged for the 2026 model year.

Safety & ADAS

Standard driver assistance on the X1 range includes cruise control with brake function and a front-collision warning that also detects oncoming traffic when turning and pedestrians and cyclists when turning right. The Parking Assistant with a reversing camera and the Reversing Assistant are also fitted as standard. The optional list adds the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Active Navigation, an exit warning function and Surround View with Remote 3D View. BMW does not state an SAE automation level for these systems and we did not verify a current Euro NCAP result for the iX1, so none is quoted here. Standard passive safety includes front, side and head airbags and a new interaction airbag between the front seats.

ADAS LEVEL	Driver assistance (SAE level not stated by BMW)
ADAS FEATURES	Standard: cruise control with brake function, front-collision warning, Parking Assistant with reversing camera, Reversing Assistant. Optional: Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Surround View, Head-Up Display

Available Versions

VERSION	POWER	TORQUE	0-100	TOP SPEED	DRIVETRAIN	BATTERY	EV RANGE	COMBINED RANGE	PRICE	KEY DIFFERENCES
iX1 eDrive20	201 hp	250 Nm	8.6s	170 km/h	FWD	65.2 kWh	514 km	—	€49,400	150 kW (204 PS) with temporary boost, 16.1-16.0 kWh/100 km WLTP, 1,940 kg; Germany, incl. VAT (xLine and M Sport lines add equipment)
iX1 xDrive30	302 hp	494 Nm	5.6s	180 km/h	AWD	65.0 kWh	466 km	—	€56,600	Two motors, 225 kW (306 PS) rated, up to 230 kW (313 PS) with temporary boost (under 10 s), 17.2-17.1 kWh/100 km WLTP, 2,085 kg; Germany, incl. VAT

Pricing & Availability

The 2026 model-year iX1 has been produced with the SiC inverter since spring 2026, according to BMW's PressClub release of 28 January 2026. In Germany, BMW's price list (issue of 30 September 2026, valid from November 2026) shows the eDrive20 at €49,400 and the xDrive30 at €56,600 including VAT and before options, an increase of about €600 to €700 over the previous year according to auto motor und sport. For comparison, the eDrive20 launched in November 2023 at €47,900.

In Israel the iX1 is sold by BMW Israel, part of the Delek Motors group, in eDrive20 and xDrive30 versions with xLine and M Sport trims. The portal auto.co.il, which shows importer list prices, lists NIS 354,900 for the eDrive20 xLine, NIS 384,900 for the eDrive20 M Sport, NIS 384,000 for the xDrive30 xLine and NIS 404,000 for the xDrive30 M Sport, with the same page still quoting the pre-update ranges of about 454 km and 429 km WLTP, so it is not clear whether the SiC update has reached Israeli cars. iCar and the Capital Motors aggregator both show the eDrive20 xLine and M Sport at NIS 379,900 and NIS 409,900, NIS 25,000 above auto.co.il, so check the importer before relying on any one figure. For context, the Skoda Elroq 60 starts at NIS 182,990 in Israel, about half the price of the cheapest iX1, although it is a smaller premium class.

How It Compares

The Audi Q4 e-tron is the closest like-for-like rival: it starts at €47,500 in Germany for the 150 kW version (which Audi rates at up to 440 km WLTP and 160 kW DC), about €1,900 less than the iX1. In the long-range versions, the upgraded APP350 motor and 77 kWh net battery give the SUV in performance form (210 kW) up to 578 km WLTP, around 64 km more than the iX1 eDrive20, with DC charging of up to 165 kW; the 185 kW rate is reserved for the quattro performance, which Audi rates at 541 km for the SUV, against the BMW's 130 kW. The Skoda Elroq undercuts both, from €37,890 for the Elroq 60 and €46,890 for the 77 kWh Elroq 85, which is still below the iX1's starting price while offering up to 576 km (Skoda prices are from its 30 July 2026 German list for model year 2027; the BMW prices are model year 2026). Compared with both, the iX1 gives up range, and against the Audi also charging speed, and it asks for a premium for the BMW badge, the Curved Display and a more compact body. Its case rests on the xDrive30: 225 kW (306 PS) and 494 Nm of all-wheel-drive torque with 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds is a performance level that the entry versions of these rivals do not match, and the 2,692 mm wheelbase keeps the cabin usable.