MUNICH'S ELECTRIC SUV FOR THOSE WHO DON'T NEED TO MAKE A SONG AND DANCE

AWARD FOR biggest improver of 2022? That probably goes to BMW's X1 which, in third-generation guise, really seemed to find its feet.

- ANDY ENRIGHT

But as much as we approved of the petrol versions of the X1, the electric iX1 xDrive 30 was always going to be the most intriguing addition to the line-up.

We've driven the iX1 overseas, but much was clearly going to hinge on how this low-key but high-featured EV would tackle the very specific challenges of Australian roads. With the demise of the wholly lovely i3, the iX1 now finds itself - for the time being at least as the entry point to BMW's fully electric range.

That entry point will demand $84,900 before on-road costs and offers a choice between identically-priced xLine and M Sport versions. Fully 80 percent of Australian customers have ticked the box for the M Sport car, which probably won't surprise you.

What's the difference between the two? In truth, not a huge amount. Each gets a different design of 19-inch alloy wheels and, beyond that, the xLine features aluminium roof rails and window sills, a pearl chrome effect for the (non-functional) BMW kidney grille and Glacier Silver caps for the door mirrors.

The M Sport model differentiates itself with fewer silver trim bits, offering instead a more aggressive-looking front end with larger cooling ducts and a more strident rear diffuser. A 'satinated' kidney grille, aluminium door sills, body-coloured mirror caps and high-gloss shadow line roof rails are also standard fit items.

Befitting its position at the top of the X1 range, at least until the X1 M35i xDrive flagship arrives at the tail end of 2023, the iX1 benefits from a number of specification upgrades over the X1 xDrive20i.

These include a tyre pressure monitoring system, BMW Iconic Sounds Electric (by Hans Zimmer no less) and adaptive M suspension but there's also an Enhancement Pack available for another $4700 which bundles a bunch of desirable options.