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BMW iX1 vs Polestar 2 (2020-2023)
Selected trimLong range Dual motor 78 kWh · 2020-23Change trim303 mi · 78 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Polestar 2 stays competitive across the board.
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
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
Polestar
0
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
Polestar
4.4
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
Polestar
5.8
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
Polestar
3.5
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
Polestar
4.2
City Driving
BMW
4.6
Polestar
4.3
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
- 150 kW more power
- 3.9s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.4 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 | Not available |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 303 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min | 28 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 4.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
Polestar 2
Length
BMW iX14,500mm-106mm
Polestar 24,606mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm-14mm
Polestar 21,859mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
Polestar 21,479mm-137mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,606 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm (better) | 1,859 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | 1,985 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 11.5 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare (better) | 541 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L (better) | 1097 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 35 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,500 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.61m+106mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.86m+14mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 1.99m-119mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.48m-137mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.73m+43mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 151mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L (better) | 1097L |
| Frunk | Not available | 35L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 11.5m (better) |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 78kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 303 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 | Not available |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2020–2023 |
* 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 | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 303 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 253 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min | 28 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh | 75 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 4.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 300 kW (better) |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 660 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £23,250 | £17,500 |
| Average used price | £25,220 | £21,000 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 44 listings | 46 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 13.8% over ~6 months | Down 1.8% 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 - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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, seat comfort & space. 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
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Owners love
- Excellent build quality with solid construction, tight panel gaps, and no rattles despite compact dimensions
- Impressive acceleration and performance with 402hp dual motors (0-62mph in 4.7 seconds) offering engaging driving dynamics
- Strong real-world range of 220-250 miles on mixed driving with negligible battery degradation over time
Watch out for
- Range significantly reduces in cold weather to 150-170 miles, making winter motorway driving challenging
- Rear seating very cramped with high door card tops restricting headroom for taller passengers and limiting child seat placement
- Firm suspension setup trades comfort for precision, causing harshness over poor road surfaces and expansion joints
Owner tips
- Home charging with dedicated off-peak tariff like Octopus Go is essential to realize 5p-per-mile running cost advantage
- Cap charging at 90% and monitor 12V battery health regularly to maximize battery longevity and avoid discharge issues
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
Polestar 2
- £22,1002020EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
What are the BMW iX1 and Polestar 2 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 253 miles for the Polestar 2 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-29 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Polestar 2?
The two are within 14 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 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 also turns in a 0.4 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 Polestar 2?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the Polestar 2. 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 BMW iX1 comparisons
More Polestar 2 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 Polestar 2 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Polestar 2 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Polestar 2 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Polestar 2 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Polestar 2 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX1 and Polestar 2 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 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 Polestar 2 (2020-2023): Which Version, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Polestar 2 buyer’s guide: Standard range vs Long range Single motor vs Dual motor, the Plus Pack heat pump, warranty left, 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 .