Volvo EX40 vs BMW iX1
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.
Track the Volvo EX40 & BMW iX1
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Price Breakdown
The Volvo EX40 starts from $69,990 before on-road costs, while the BMW iX1 opens at $77,900. That makes the Volvo EX40 the more affordable entry point by $7,910.
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 $76,989 and $85,690 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
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
78kWh usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
Three-phase AC
11–22kW · 11kW
DC fast charging · to 80%
Public DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
Three-phase AC
11–22kW · 11kW
DC fast charging · to 80%
Public 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 Volvo EX40 features a 9-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 Volvo EX40 stands out with head-up display that you will not find on the BMW iX1. The BMW iX1 counters with panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Volvo EX40 gets textile/leather blend upholstery while the BMW iX1 offers sensatec synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Volvo EX40 uses a Electric producing 185kW and 420Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 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 185kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW iX1 is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82kWh (Volvo EX40) vs 64.7kWh (BMW iX1), giving WLTP ranges of 520km and 578km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (Volvo EX40) vs 200kW (BMW iX1).
Space & Comfort
The Volvo EX40 measures 4,440mm long on a 2,702mm wheelbase, 60mm shorter than the BMW iX1 at 4,500mm (2,692mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo EX40 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 536L in the Volvo EX40 and 500L in the BMW iX1, giving the Volvo EX40 a 36L advantage.
For towing, the BMW iX1 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 12.6m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 (Volvo EX40) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX1). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volvo EX40 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW iX1 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW iX1 takes 5 of 9 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Volvo EX40 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volvo EX40 and BMW iX1?
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 BMW iX1 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW iX1 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volvo EX40 has the largest boot at 536L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW iX1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
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.
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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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