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BMW’s More Affordable All-Electric Crossover SUV Will Arrive Sooner to Put Tesla on Notice

BMW’s iX1 isn’t currently available in the States, but that’s expected to change with the next version.

Front view of a dark blue BMW car featuring illuminated kidney grilles and sleek LED headlights with a modern, angular design. The BMW logo is centered above the grilles on the hood.Chris Chin
A black and white portrait of a smiling man with short, dark hair. He is wearing a light-colored blazer over a collared shirt. The background is plain and unobtrusive.

By Chris Chin

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BMW’s next big move will be a new version of its electric iX1, and it’ll happen sooner than expected. According to Britain’s AutoExpress, the new entry-level crossover SUV is on track to replace the current model by 2027.

The second-gen iX1 is the next production step to the Bavarian automaker’s massive and revolutionary Neue Klasse strategy. Of course, the iX1 model in itself isn’t new.

However, the current iX1 isn’t sold stateside. It debuted in 2022 for the European and Asian markets, where it’s since had measurable success.

Amplifying the affordable premium electric crossover SUV wars

A blue BMW car is showcased in a dimly lit room with a crowd of people around it. The car's front is prominently visible, featuring sleek headlights and the iconic kidney grille. A man is seated inside the car, holding the steering wheel, while another person is reaching towards the driver's side mirror. The background displays a blurred cityscape with warm sunset colors. Several people are taking photos and observing the car.
BMW revealed its first production-bound Neue Klasse vehicle, the iX3, in September.
Chris Chin

The reasons behind BMW’s decision not to sell the current iX1 in North America vary. Most attribute the lack of feasible charging infrastructure and a lukewarm market as likely playing major roles in the decision.

However, because the US made noticeable strides in improving electric vehicle charging, EVs remain a major part of the automobile’s future, including BMW’s. This could mean the iX1 may finally make its way to the US to provide prospective buyers with another affordable, entry-level option.

Three BMW SUVs in blue, silver, and teal parked on a paved area in front of a modern building with large windows.
Although not available in the US, the current iX1 is one of BMW’s most affordable EVs at the moment.
BMW AG

BMW introduced the current iX1 to be, essentially, an all-electric version of the current internal combustion-powered X1. It sports the same styling, structure, engineering, interior — the whole nine yards. It’s just powered by electrons.

However, because it’s based on the soon-to-be-outgoing “U11” chassis X1, it’ll be obsolete by the time its Neue Klasse successor arrives. That’s also because the next-gen iX1 rides on a completely new modular platform.

Blue BMW SUV parked on a paved driveway next to white gravel and palm trees under a clear blue sky.
The next-gen iX1 will replace the current model, which is based on the same gas-powered X1 sold globally.
BMW AG

The current ICE-powered X1, which is sold in North America, also arrived in late 2022 as a 2023 model-year car.

The sooner-than-expected arrival of the next iX1 comes as a bit of a surprise. BMW’s series production cycles typically last anywhere from six to eight years. When the new model launches in 2027, that’ll make the current iX1 less than five years old.

2025 BMW iX1
BMW saw measurable success with the iX1 in its available markets.
BMW AG

BMW didn’t explicitly say if the new iX1 will come to the States. But since buyers are still interested in more affordable options, the iX1 could find its way to our shores. It would be another ticket for more affordable EV ownership.

Additionally, BMW’s Neue Klasse is a clean-sheet approach for its next-generation of vehicles. Because of this, it could provide the automaker the flexibility it needs to consider a North American market iX1.

The iX1 will likely share showroom space with the X1

A metallic blue BMW SUV is parked on a rocky, uneven surface under a clear blue sky. The vehicle features sleek, modern design lines, large alloy wheels, and distinctive BMW kidney grilles at the front. The sunlight reflects off the car's body, highlighting its smooth contours.
The iX3 is the first BMW SUV to utilize Neue Klasse styling and engineering.
BMW

Should the new iX1 come to the States, it would likely share showroom space with the gas-powered X1 (and diesel for Europe and Asia). It’s a part of BMW’s plan to offer powertrain options for buyers, rather than forcing buyers to adopt a single type.

Over the past couple of years, automakers have been reworking their electrification strategy. The plan involves pumping the brakes on EV-only approaches and instead, shift the focus towards “multi-energy” offerings.

Blue BMW electric SUV driving on a paved road with mountainous terrain in the background during sunset. The car features a distinctive kidney grille design and sleek, modern headlights.
We can expect the new iX1 to look like the iX3, but shrunken down.
BMW

Once in production, the iX1 will compete with the electric versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Audi Q4 e-tron and even the Kia EV3.

So far, we’re expecting the new iX1 to come with a smaller and more dialed-down version of the EV drive system in the impending iX3. BMW claims the latter will offer up to 500 miles on a single charge with its huge 108.7-kilowatt-hour battery.

A dark blue BMW SUV displayed indoors with a spotlight on it, featuring sleek black alloy wheels and modern headlights. A woman dressed in a white top, beige jacket, and shiny beige pants is leaning against the front right side of the car. The background shows a blurred cityscape with warm sunset colors and several people in shadow.
The iX3 will provide the blueprint for the iX1 and other electrified BMW SUVs.
Chris Chin

Because the new iX1 will be a shrunken-down iX3, it’ll likely have a smaller battery pack. Some rumors suggest a driving range of around 300 miles on a single charge.

Total output figures also remain a mystery for now. As a ballpark figure, however, BMW says the incoming iX3 will produce anywhere between 402 to 463 horsepower. That said, we can likely expect the iX1 to produce considerably less than that.

Blue BMW SUV with sleek, modern design, black and silver multi-spoke wheels, and tinted rear windows, parked on a flat asphalt surface with mountainous landscape in the background under a clear sky.
BMW’s new 800-volt architecture will provide the backbone to the iX1’s propulsion system.
BMW

It will utilize BMW’s latest and greatest 800-volt architecture. This new platform is one of the major backbones of the electrified portion of BMW’s Neue Klasse strategy.

AutoExpress anticipates that UK-market iX1s will start just under £40,000, which translates to roughly $53,632.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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