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BMW iX1 vs Kia Soul EV
Selected trim64kWh · 2020-24Change trim281 mi · 67.5 kWh · £37,295
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Kia Soul EV leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
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 most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Kia Soul EV if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueBMW
BMW
6.4
Kia
4.3
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
Kia
3.9
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
Kia
2.4
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
Kia
0.9
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
Kia
5.9
City DrivingKia
BMW
4.6
Kia
7.5
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
- 39 miles more WLTP range
- 175 litres more boot space
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 18 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 1 more year of battery warranty
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 (better) | £37,295 |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 281 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 315 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 47 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 7.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
Kia Soul EV
Length
BMW iX14,500mm
Kia Soul EV4,195mm-305mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm
Kia Soul EV1,800mm-45mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
Kia Soul EV1,600mm-16mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,195 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm | 1,800 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | 2,040 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,600 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 10.6 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare | 600 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 315 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L (better) | 1339 L |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Kia Soul EV 64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.20m-305mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.80m-45mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.04m-64mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.60m-16mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.60m-92mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 160mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 315L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L (better) | 1339L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 10.6m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,758kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 67.5kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 281 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 (better) | £37,295 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £37,295 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2020–2024 |
* 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 | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 281 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 234 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 47 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh (better) | 64 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 7.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 395 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £23,250 | £11,889 |
| Average used price | £25,220 | £13,247 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 44 listings (better) | 6 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 13.8% over ~6 months | Up 19.5% 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 - 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 | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Kia Soul EV64kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years (better) | 7 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 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 wind & road noise, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
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
Kia Soul EV
64kWh
Owners love
- Owners regularly report 250 miles or more in mild weather, with very good efficiency.
- Strong, smooth acceleration and a comfortable, roomy cabin for the car's size.
- Well-equipped, with a head-up display and adaptive cruise control on most cars.
Watch out for
- Some owners report 12V battery drain and repeat flat batteries that dealers struggled to fix.
- Scheduled charging in the car and the Kia app can be unreliable or reset itself.
- Road noise is noticeable, and there are no front parking sensors.
Owner tips
- Check the 12V battery and ask whether the car has had electrical faults.
- Look for a car with the recall work done, including the power control unit coolant check on mid-2020 builds.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia Soul EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
Kia Soul EV
- £14,3952020Drive GreenView
- £11,7952020Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the Kia Soul EV?
The BMW iX1 is £230 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW iX1 comes out roughly £350 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 234 miles for the Kia Soul EV - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 32 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 29 minutes in the BMW iX1 and 47 in the Kia Soul EV, so the BMW iX1 loses less time at each stop. That makes the BMW iX1 the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Kia Soul EV?
The Kia Soul EV is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 45 mm narrower than the BMW iX1. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Kia Soul EV and about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1. The Kia Soul EV also turns in a 1.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX1 or the Kia Soul EV?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the Kia Soul EV. 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. The BMW iX1 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia Soul EV.
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 BMW iX1 comparisons
More Kia Soul EV 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 BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Kia Soul EV rank among the cheapest EVs to run
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
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.
GuideBuying a Used Kia Soul EV (2014-2024): 27 vs 64 kWh, Battery Health, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Kia Soul EV buyer’s guide: the 2014-2019 car vs the 64 kWh e-Soul, battery wear on early cars, the 7-year warranty, the recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .