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BMW iX1 vs Toyota bZ4X
Selected trimIcon FWD 57.7kWhChange trim276 mi · 57.7 kWh · £39,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Toyota bZ4X 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 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
BMW
6.4
Toyota
5.5
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
Toyota
4.9
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
Toyota
6.9
Charging
BMW
4.1
Toyota
4.4
Too close to call
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
Toyota
8.8
City Driving
BMW
4.6
Toyota
4.2
Too close to call
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 | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Toyota bZ4XIcon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 (better) | £39,995 |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 276 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 452 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 8.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
Toyota bZ4X
Length
BMW iX14,500mm-190mm
Toyota bZ4X4,690mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm-15mm
Toyota bZ4X1,860mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm-34mm
Toyota bZ4X1,650mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Toyota bZ4XIcon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm (better) | 1,860 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare (better) | 540 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Toyota bZ4XIcon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 452 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 750 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Toyota bZ4X Icon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.69m+190mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.86m+15mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | Not available |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.65m+34mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.85m+158mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 177mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 452L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 11.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,870kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh (better) | 57.7kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 276 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 (better) | £39,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £39,995 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2026+ |
* 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 | Toyota bZ4XIcon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 276 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 230 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh (better) | 54 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Toyota bZ4XIcon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 8.6 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 269 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Toyota bZ4X
Icon FWD 57.7kWh
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
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 - Toyota bZ4X Icon FWD 57.7kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Toyota bZ4XIcon FWD 57.7kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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
Toyota bZ4X
Icon FWD 57.7kWh
Owners love
- Strong sales performance in key markets (second-best selling EV in UK early 2024, #1 in Norway and Denmark) with excellent lease appeal
- Spacious, comfortable interior with excellent rear legroom and well-designed cabin features like storage and entertainment systems
- Responsive driving dynamics with good handling that belies its weight, plus car-like agility for an SUV
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly underperforms WLTP claims (150-230 miles on motorways versus 315+ claimed; drops further with air conditioning)
- Poor efficiency compared to competitors; atrocious efficiency-to-battery-size ratio relative to rivals like Ioniq 5 and Model Y
- Rapid charging severely limited by thermal management issues requiring only 3-4 DC charges per 24 hours, and performance degrades significantly in cold weather
Owner tips
- Look for aggressive lease deals and consider salary sacrifice schemes, which offer better value than outright purchase; aim for 24-month terms where pricing appears cheaper
- Install a home charging unit (like Easee One) and plan charging around home charger for daily use; limit long trips to 3-4 rapid charges per 24 hours with proper spacing
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Toyota bZ4X
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
Toyota bZ4X
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota bZ4X worth the extra £2,930 over the BMW iX1?
The Toyota bZ4X costs £2,930 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 44 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the Toyota bZ4X?
The BMW iX1 is £2,930 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 £2,970 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 Toyota bZ4X like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 230 miles for the Toyota bZ4X - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 37 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Toyota bZ4X?
The two are within 15 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 540 mm of total clearance for the Toyota bZ4X. The Toyota bZ4X also turns in a 0.7 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 Toyota bZ4X?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the Toyota bZ4X. 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 Toyota bZ4X 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 Toyota bZ4X rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Toyota bZ4X rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and Toyota bZ4X rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Toyota bZ4X rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Toyota bZ4X rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Toyota bZ4X 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 Toyota bZ4X (2022 on): Which Version, Recalls, the 10-Year Warranty & What to Pay
A used Toyota bZ4X buyer’s guide: the 2022-2025 car vs the 2026 update, FWD vs AWD, 6.6 or 11 kW charging, recalls, Toyota’s service-activated warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .