BYD M9 vs BMW iX1
Two electric cars 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.
BYD M9: we're still completing height, turning circle and fuel consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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 BYD M9 & BMW iX1
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Price Breakdown
The BYD M9 starts from $72,990 before on-road costs, while the BMW iX1 opens at $77,900. That makes the BYD M9 the more affordable entry point by $4,910.
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 $80,289 and $85,690 respectively.
The BMW iX1 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BYD M9 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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
36.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 73kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 73kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
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.
Feature Showdown
The BYD M9 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW iX1 gets a 10.7-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD M9 stands out with ventilated seats, V2L and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW iX1. The BMW iX1 counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD M9 gets genuine leather upholstery while the BMW iX1 offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the BYD M9 and 2-zone in the BMW iX1.
Drivetrain
The BYD M9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 218kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a 1 spd auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The BMW iX1 responds with a Electric making 230kW and 494Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The BMW iX1 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 218kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 2.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 36.6kWh (BYD M9) vs 64.7kWh (BMW iX1), giving WLTP ranges of 145km and 578km. DC fast charging peaks at 73kW (BYD M9) vs 130kW (BMW iX1).
Space & Comfort
The BYD M9 measures 5,145mm long on a 3,045mm wheelbase, 645mm longer than the BMW iX1 at 4,500mm (2,692mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD M9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BYD M9 and 490L in the BMW iX1, giving the BMW iX1 a 20L advantage. The BYD M9 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the BYD M9 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m diameter
Average
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.7 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD M9) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX1). The BYD M9 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD M9 if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW iX1 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW iX1 takes 6 of 10 key spec categories. The BYD M9 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, BYD M9 and BMW iX1?
The BYD M9 is the cheapest at $72,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX1 by $4,910.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for BYD M9, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX1 has the largest boot at 490L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD M9 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD M9 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
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.
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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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