The electric BMW SUV’s comfortable cabin continues to prove a highlight of the package. Marius Boonzaier shares some highlights from its halfway point in the care of the CAR Magazine team.
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Time spent: Three of six months
Distance covered: 2 276 km
Average fuel consumption: 19.7 kWh/100 km
We like: Silent, solidly constructed cabin; comfortable driver’s seat
We don’t like: Occasionally jarring ride on pockmarked road surfaces
Having walked nearly 180 km, with a step count exceeding 260,000, during a 12-day holiday in Europe, I was looking forward to resting my legs behind the wheel of our iX1 long-termer. The trip was fantastic, and many memories were made; however, every time I saw an example of BMW’s baby battery electric SUV driving through the streets of Amsterdam, I started missing ‘my’ iX1. Although SA’s EV-charging infrastructure is not yet on par with Europe’s, thanks to the GridCars charging point at CAR’s garage, replenishing the iX1’s battery pack is straightforward.
Related: Fuel for Thought – SA’s Poor Fuel Quality the Reason Behind Delayed Golf GTI?
The iX1 was fully charged, with an available range of around 350 km, and ready to stretch its legs upon my return home. Seated in the well-bolstered, electrically adjustable driver’s pew, which is much more comfortable than an airline economy class seat, I relished the pure silence provided by the emission-free SUV. Thanks to the solidly constructed cabin eliminating most road, tyre, and wind noise, the aeroplane engine drone I had to put up with for 17 hours was something of the past. Though the ride can be jarring at times, piloting the iX1 is a serene experience.
Find the full feature in the December issue of CAR Magazine.
