BMW iX1 vs Denza B5
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 25 Jun 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$77,900RRP
- with the Denza B5's standard kit: $77,900 (nothing to add)
$74,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the BMW iX1 & Denza B5
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Price Breakdown
The BMW iX1 starts from $77,900 before on-road costs, while the Denza B5 opens at $74,990. That makes the Denza B5 the more affordable entry point by $2,910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $85,690 and $82,489 respectively.
The BMW iX1 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Denza B5 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
Safety Rundown
Both the BMW iX1 and Denza B5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW iX1 and 86% for the Denza B5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW iX1, against 4 on the Denza B5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX1
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005746 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front right drive shaft may become loose and detach from the eDrive.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 1 more on the model page.
Denza B5
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
31.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX1 features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Denza B5 gets a 15.6-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX1 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Denza B5. The Denza B5 counters with Apple CarPlay, V2L and Devialet audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX1 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Denza B5 offers leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW iX1 uses a Electric producing 230kW and 494Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.
The Denza B5 responds with a Petrol Turbo PHEV making 400kW and 760Nm, paired to a 1-speed auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds.
The Denza B5 has the clear power advantage at 400kW vs 230kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Denza B5 is 1.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 31.8kWh (Denza B5). DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (BMW iX1) vs 100kW (Denza B5).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 388mm shorter than the Denza B5 at 4,888mm (2,800mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Denza B5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW iX1 and 470L in the Denza B5, giving the BMW iX1 a 20L advantage.
For towing, the Denza B5 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 1,800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m to 11.9m
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX1) vs 6 years / 150,000km (Denza B5). The Denza B5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW iX1 if: You need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Denza B5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Denza's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (70 vs 76). The BMW iX1 and Denza B5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Denza B5 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX1 and Denza B5?
The Denza B5 is the cheapest at $74,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX1 by $2,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Denza B5 uses the least fuel at 1.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BMW iX1 and Denza B5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX1 has the largest boot at 490L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Denza B5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Denza B5 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Denza B5 makes the most power at 400kW. The Denza B5 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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