BMW iX1 L

The BMW iX1 L is a five-seat long-wheelbase electric SUV offered in Malaysia solely as the eDrive20L M Sport, priced at RM252,800 on-the-road without insurance. Fully imported from China, it costs RM2,000 more than the standard-wheelbase iX1 eDrive20 M Sport.

Its single front motor produces 150 KW or 204 PS and 250 NM, while a 66.5-kWh battery provides up to 433 KM of WLTP range. Standard coverage includes a two-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year or 160,000-KM battery warranty. The RM268,600 BSRI package extends vehicle coverage to five years and includes six years of EV servicing.

The dashboard features the BMW Curved Display, combining a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 10.7-inch central touchscreen. Aluminium Hexacube Pale M trim, ambient lighting and an Ivory White headliner give the cabin a bright yet sporty presentation. 

A floating centre console houses the compact drive selector, vehicle shortcuts and wireless charging tray. The open space beneath the console provides an additional compartment for smaller personal items. 

The 10.25-inch digital instrument display presents speed, battery status, navigation and assistance information. A BMW Head-Up Display projects important driving information into the driver’s forward field of vision. 

Perforated Veganza synthetic-leather upholstery in Castanea is standard. The powered front sports seats include driver memory, while the rear seats receive softer foam, 15-MM-longer cushion bases and a reclined backrest angle of up to 28.5 degrees. 

The stretched wheelbase provides 81 MM more rear legroom and 107 MM more knee room than the standard iX1. The wider rear-door openings also make entering and leaving the second row easier. 

The M leather multifunction steering wheel provides controls for media, calls, voice commands, displays and driver-assistance systems. Tilt-and-telescopic adjustment allows the steering position to be adapted to the driver.

Cabin storage includes door pockets, a glovebox, seatback pockets and compartments around and beneath the floating centre console. Additional luggage storage is available beneath the adjustable boot floor.

Two cup holders are positioned within the front console, while another two are integrated into the folding rear centre armrest. Bottle holders are also provided in the doors. 

The cabin provides two USB connections at the front and two for rear passengers. A wireless smartphone charging tray and an additional power socket are also included. 

Soft-touch surfaces, Veganza upholstery, aluminium trim and neatly integrated displays create a suitably premium environment. The panoramic glass roof and light-coloured headliner make the stretched cabin feel particularly open and spacious. 

The automatic tailgate opens to 490 litres of luggage capacity. Folding the 40:20:40 rear seatbacks expands the available volume to 1,600 litres, 105 litres more than the standard-wheelbase iX1. 

The iX1 L measures 4,616 MM long, 1,845 MM wide and approximately 1,642 MM tall, with a 2,802-MM wheelbase. Compared with the regular iX1, it is 116 MM longer overall and gains 110 MM between the axles. 

The upright front features a largely enclosed kidney grille with an X-shaped mesh pattern. The M Sport package adds sculpted bumper openings, while Extended Shadowline trim darkens the grille surround, lower body elements and other exterior details. 

The squared-off rear combines a roof spoiler, sculpted M Sport bumper and automatic tailgate. Its upright shape prioritises luggage capacity and rear headroom rather than the more tapered appearance of the BMW iX2. 

Adaptive LED headlamps are fitted with automatic high-beam assistance and M Lights Shadowline darkened internal elements. The slim wraparound design gives the iX1 L a recognisable lighting signature.

Full-LED rear lamps use a three-dimensional L-shaped design with dark internal graphics. Their wide placement emphasises the SUV’s broad and upright rear body. 

The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and power-folding, with integrated turn indicators and automatic anti-dazzle functionality. Gloss-black mirror caps form part of the extended Shadowline exterior treatment. 

Ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear discs work together with ABS, Dynamic Stability Control, Brake Assist and regenerative braking. An electronic parking brake with Auto Hold is also standard. 

The Malaysian iX1 L rides on 19-inch M Double-Spoke Style 871 M Bicolour alloy wheels fitted with 245/45 R19 tyres. Gloss-black M roof rails and Shadowline body details complete the M Sport exterior. 

Active-safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, forward-collision warning, ABS, Dynamic Stability Control, traction control, tyre-pressure monitoring and lane-departure intervention.

Six airbags are fitted, comprising front, front-side and curtain airbags. Five three-point seatbelts, all-seat reminders and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points on the outer rear seats are also included. 

BMW My Modes provides Personal, Sport and Efficient settings. These alter accelerator response, steering assistance, displays, ambient lighting and energy-management behaviour.

The 10.7-inch touchscreen runs BMW Operating System 9 with configurable widgets and voice control. BMW Maps, Intelligent Personal Assistant, ConnectedDrive services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported. 

Driving Assistant Plus is standard and includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Speed Limit Information and Lane Departure Warning with Lane Return.

Parking Assistant Plus adds automatic parking, Reversing Assistant, surround-view cameras, Remote 3D View, BMW Drive Recorder and line and kerb detection.

A 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system produces 205 watts of output. BMW IconicSounds Electric adds artificial driving sounds that respond to acceleration and the selected driving mode.

A front-mounted electrically excited synchronous motor produces 150 KW or 204 PS and 250 NM. Maximum output is delivered when the temporary boost function is activated.

Power is delivered through a single-speed electric reduction transmission. The motor provides immediate and uninterrupted acceleration without conventional gear changes.

The iX1 eDrive20L uses front-wheel drive, with its single electric motor powering the front axle exclusively. No dual-motor or all-wheel-drive iX1 L variant is currently offered in Malaysia. 

The iX1 L accelerates from 0 to 100 KM/H in 8.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 175 KM/H. 

The 66.5-kWh lithium-ion battery provides approximately 64.7 kWh of usable capacity and between 402 and 433 KM of WLTP range. Combined energy consumption is rated at 16.8 to 18.0 kWh per 100 KM.

Charging supports up to 11 KW AC, requiring approximately six hours and 45 minutes for a full charge. Maximum DC charging is 130 KW, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in around 32 minutes and adding approximately 120 KM of range in ten minutes under suitable conditions.

Convenience features include Comfort Access with Digital Key Plus, a powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, wireless smartphone charging and remote vehicle functions through the My BMW application. The large panoramic glass roof includes an electrically operated fabric shade.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is fitted with dedicated rear air-conditioning vents. Rear passengers also receive their own USB charging connections. 

The iX1 L replaces the standard iX1’s Adaptive M Suspension with a comfort-focused setup specifically tuned for the longer wheelbase. Softer suspension calibration and pre-tensioned anti-roll-bar mounts aim to provide a more settled ride while retaining adequate body control. 

The quiet electric motor, comfort-oriented suspension and premium cabin materials create a refined environment during normal driving. Some tyre noise from the 19-inch wheels may still be noticeable over coarse Malaysian road surfaces.

The BMW iX1 eDrive20L M Sport provides a meaningful improvement in rear-passenger comfort for only RM2,000 more than the standard-wheelbase iX1. Its additional legroom, softer rear seats, panoramic roof, comfort suspension and standard Driving Assistant Plus make it the better option for families or owners who frequently carry rear passengers.

However, the stretched body reduces maximum WLTP range from 475 KM in the regular iX1 to 433 KM, while performance remains unchanged at 204 PS. Its 130-KW DC charging capability is also modest beside newer electric SUVs. Overall, the iX1 L prioritises space and comfort over outright performance, handling sharpness or maximum efficiency.