BMW iX1 vs Volvo EX30
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Volvo EX30 scores higher, 76 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 24 Jun 2026, price 28 Oct 2026
BMW iX1
21 of 27 standard · 2 optional · 4 no dataFrom
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 20.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 490L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volvo EX30
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$49,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 200kW
- Energy use
- 16.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 318L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 70
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$77,900RRP
- with the Volvo EX30's standard kit: at least $77,900 (1 option priced only inside packages; 1 with no data, not charged)
1 added option
- Premium Audio: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
$49,990RRP
- 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.
Price and cost per week
BMW iX1 xDrive30
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $337 a week in repayments ($77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor
$49,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 28 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $208 a week in repayments ($49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Volvo EX30 starts $27,910 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Matching the Volvo EX30's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the BMW iX1, and one is priced only inside a package whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$208/wk(≈$902/mo)
Estimate on the Volvo EX30 at $49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW iX1 at 5 stars (2022) and the Volvo EX30 at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW iX1 and 88% for the Volvo EX30, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW iX1, against 5 on the Volvo EX30.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW iX1 and 6 in the Volvo EX30.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the BMW iX1 and 5 on the Volvo EX30.
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.
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.
Volvo EX30
- REC-006745 · published 19 Oct 2026The front seat head restraints may not have been manufactured to specifications.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006633 · published 26 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, some of the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006551 · published 26 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
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 a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum 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
49kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 153kW 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 Volvo EX30 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volvo EX30 counters with head-up display. 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 Volvo EX30 offers nordico/microtech fabric. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW iX1 and 1-zone in the Volvo EX30.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 Volvo EX30 responds with a Electric making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The BMW iX1 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo EX30 is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 69kWh (Volvo EX30), giving WLTP ranges of 578km and 462km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (BMW iX1) vs 153kW (Volvo EX30).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 267mm longer than the Volvo EX30 at 4,233mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW iX1 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW iX1 and 318L in the Volvo EX30, giving the BMW iX1 a 172L advantage.
For towing, the Volvo EX30 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 400kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Volvo EX30's turning circle is 0.9 m tighter, 11.0 m against 11.9 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW iX1 costs about $970 a year (20.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Volvo EX30 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $173 a year less for the Volvo EX30.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX30).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX1: more power (230kW against 200kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (490L against 318L).
The Volvo EX30: the lower starting price ($49,990 against $77,900), the higher braked towing limit (1,600kg against 1,200kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($797 a year against $970).
The Verdict
Volvo EX30 scores higher, 76 vs 70
The Volvo EX30 scores 76 to the BMW iX1's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Volvo EX30 ahead by 24 points), value (Volvo EX30 ahead by 10 points), technology (Volvo EX30 ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Volvo EX30 costs about $173 less (16.6 kWh/100km against 20.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 490L in the BMW iX1, 318L in the Volvo EX30.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$208/wk(≈$902/mo)
Estimate on the Volvo EX30 at $49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX1 and Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is the cheapest at $49,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX1 by $27,910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Volvo EX30 has the most range at 462km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Volvo EX30 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 153kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Volvo EX30 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. 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 Volvo EX30 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX1 makes the most power at 230kW. The Volvo EX30 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.3s.
Track the BMW iX1 & Volvo EX30
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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