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Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-2023) vs BMW iX1
Selected trim35 e-tron · 2021-23Change trim221 mi · 55 kWh · £40,750
At a glance
Overview
The Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 are premium compact electric SUVs for buyers who want a German badge without a flagship price. The Q4 e-tron is slightly larger with a longer range; the iX1 is the more compact, agile choice and undercuts the Audi on price. Both feel solidly built, so this is about size and range against value.
Best suited to:FamilyPremiumCompany car
In this comparison, Audi Q4 e-tron leads on city driving, while the BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-2023) if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBMW
Audi
5.1
BMW
6.4
Motorway RangeBMW
Audi
3.7
BMW
5.9
Family
Audi
7.7
BMW
7.4
Too close to call
ChargingBMW
Audi
2
BMW
4.1
Cost Per MileBMW
Audi
4.8
BMW
9.3
City DrivingAudi
Audi
6
BMW
4.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40,750 | £37,065 (better) |
| Official range | 221 miles | 320 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 520 L (better) | 490 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 8.6 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Audi Q4 e-tron
BMW iX1
Length
Audi Q4 e-tron4,588mm
BMW iX14,500mm-88mm
Width
Audi Q4 e-tron1,865mm
BMW iX11,845mm-20mm
Height
Audi Q4 e-tron1,632mm
BMW iX11,616mm-16mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,588 mm | 4,500 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,865 mm | 1,845 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,108 mm | 2,104 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,632 mm | 1,616 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.2 m (better) | 11.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 535 mm spare | 555 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L (better) | 490 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1490 L | 1495 L (better) |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Audi Q4 e-tron 35 e-tron |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.59m | 4.50m-88mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.84m-20mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.11m | 2.10m-4mm |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.62m-16mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.76m | 2.69m-72mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L (better) | 490L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1490L | 1495L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.2m (better) | 11.9m |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 55kWh | 64.7kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 221 mi | 320 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £40,750 | £37,065 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £40,750 (not eligible) | £33,315 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2023 | 2023+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 221 miles | 320 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 184 miles | 267 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 52 kWh | 64.7 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 8.6 sec (better) |
| Power | 125 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Torque | Not available | 247 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £19,560 | £23,250 |
| Average used price | £22,100 | £25,220 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 8 listings | 44 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Down 13.8% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Audi Q4 e-tron 35 e-tron
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag firm ride comfort, infotainment & software, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Audi Q4 e-tron
35 e-tron
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the quiet, refined cabin and comfortable ride.
- The interior quality and conventional layout, including physical climate controls, are rated above the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq it is based on.
- Rear passenger space and headroom are generous for the size of car.
Watch out for
- Real-world range falls well short of the WLTP figure, with owners of the 40 typically seeing 230-290 miles in mild weather and around 200 in freezing conditions.
- Efficiency is middling, around 3 miles per kWh on average and much less in cold city driving.
- The myAudi app and in-car software are widely described as limited or awkward, and some cars needed software updates.
Owner tips
- Judge battery health from a full-charge range over several days, not one cold-weather reading: the display is based on recent driving.
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
Owners love
- Owners rate the cabin quality, design and technology highly, and find the BMW app reliable
- Agile and enjoyable to drive for its size, with good visibility from the raised seating position
- Real-world range of around 220-260 miles in mild weather is commonly reported with sensible driving
Watch out for
- Winter and fast motorway driving cut range noticeably, with some owners seeing under 200 miles
- Many features were in paid option packs, so two cars of the same trim can be very differently equipped
- Some owners find the ride firm and road noise intrusive, and the seats less comfortable than rivals
Owner tips
- The front-wheel-drive eDrive20 goes further on a charge; the xDrive30 is quicker but rarely needed
- Check which option packs a car has, especially Technology Plus for adaptive cruise
Buying options
Get a quote
Audi Q4 e-tron
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Audi Q4 e-tron
- £19,0412023Car360View
- £18,3932023Car360View
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi Q4 e-tron worth the extra £3,685 over the BMW iX1?
The Audi Q4 e-tron costs £3,685 more than the BMW iX1. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The BMW iX1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 99 miles more WLTP range and 30 kW faster peak rapid charging. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the BMW iX1?
The BMW iX1 is £3,685 cheaper to buy. The BMW iX1 is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 a year versus £168 for the Audi Q4 e-tron, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW iX1 comes out roughly £3,845 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 184 miles for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 267 miles for the BMW iX1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 83 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the BMW iX1?
The two are within 20 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1 and about 535 mm of total clearance for the Audi Q4 e-tron. The Audi Q4 e-tron also turns in a 1.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the BMW iX1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 84% for the BMW iX1. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Audi Q4 e-tron comparisons
More BMW iX1 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Audi Q4 e-tron (2021 on): 35, 40, 45, 50 or 55, the Recall, Range & What to Check
A used Audi Q4 e-tron buyer’s guide: every version and battery explained, the 2021-2023 cars vs the 2024 update, the brake-software recall, warranty left, real-world range, what to pay, used vs new, and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BMW iX1 (2022 on): xDrive30 or eDrive20, Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW iX1 buyer’s guide: xDrive30 vs eDrive20, the driveshaft recall, warranty left, real-world range, option packs, what to pay, when a new one with the grant is better value, and a printable checklist.
GuideFastest Electric SUVs in the UK 2026: Quickest 0-62 mph Crossovers Ranked
Every electric SUV and crossover currently on sale in the UK ranked by 0-62 mph time, plus the quickest under £60k and what makes electric SUVs so fast for their weight.
GuideBest Value EVs in the UK: Composite Score Across Range, Battery, Charging & Space
We score every EV on range per £1k, kWh per £1k, charging speed per £1k, boot per £1k, safety, and warranty - revealing the best overall value at every price point.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .