BMW iX1 vs Volvo EX40
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
BMW iX1 scores higher, 70 vs 68
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 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
Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 68, but the Volvo EX40 is $7,910 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volvo EX40
20 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 no dataFrom
$69,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 185kW
- Energy use
- 19 kWh/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 536L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$77,900RRP
- with the Volvo EX40'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)
$69,990RRP
- 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 EX40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range
$69,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 25 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $300 a week in repayments ($69,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Volvo EX40 starts $7,910 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 EX40'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.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$300/wk(≈$1,302/mo)
Estimate on the Volvo EX40 at $69,990 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's published record does not give the Volvo EX40 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
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 EX40.
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 EX40
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 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
78kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW 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 EX40 gets a 9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volvo EX40 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 EX40 offers textile/leather blend.
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 EX40 responds with a Electric making 185kW and 420Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The BMW iX1 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 185kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 82kWh (Volvo EX40), giving WLTP ranges of 578km and 520km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (BMW iX1) vs 200kW (Volvo EX40).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 60mm longer than the Volvo EX40 at 4,440mm (2,702mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo EX40 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW iX1 and 536L in the Volvo EX40, giving the Volvo EX40 a 46L advantage.
For towing, the Volvo EX40 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 300kg 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 EX40's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.4 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 EX40 about $912 a year (19 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $58 a year less for the Volvo EX40.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX40).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX1: more power (230kW against 185kW).
The Volvo EX40: the lower starting price ($69,990 against $77,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (536L against 490L), the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,200kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($912 a year against $970).
The Verdict
BMW iX1 scores higher, 70 vs 68
The BMW iX1 scores 70 to the Volvo EX40's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (BMW iX1 ahead by 23 points), performance (BMW iX1 ahead by 10 points), energy efficiency (Volvo EX40 ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Volvo EX40 costs about $58 less (19 kWh/100km against 20.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 490L in the BMW iX1, 536L in the Volvo EX40.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$300/wk(≈$1,302/mo)
Estimate on the Volvo EX40 at $69,990 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 EX40?
The Volvo EX40 is the cheapest at $69,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX1 by $7,910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Volvo EX40 has the most range at 520km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Volvo EX40 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Volvo EX40, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volvo EX40 has the largest boot at 536L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo EX40 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX1 makes the most power at 230kW. The BMW iX1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the BMW iX1 & Volvo EX40
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
