Audi e-tron vs BMW X1

Audi e-tron

Audi’s electric luxury SUV.

BMW X1

BMW’s compact premium SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi e-tron

Pick the e-tron for the 600-litre rear boot (plus 60-litre frunk), air suspension and quattro — accepting the real-world range below WLTP.

Best engine: The 55 quattro with the larger battery for the best balance of range and performance.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW X1

Pick the X1 for sharp BMW handling with a raised driving position and proven engines.

Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (diesel).

Read the full guide

Performance

55 quattro · Electric vs B48 20i · Petrol

	Audi e-tron	BMW X1
Power	408 hp Winner	192 hp
Torque	664 Nm Winner	280 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	7,7 s
Top speed	200 km/h	226 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	159,1 hp/t Winner	127,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	0 g/km Winner	134 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	—	5,9 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi e-tron	BMW X1
Boot	660 L Winner	505 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.725 L Winner	1.550 L
Wheelbase	2,93 m Winner	2,67 m
Length	4,90 m	4,44 m
Width	1,94 m	1,82 m
Height	1,63 m	1,60 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi e-tron	BMW X1
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, adapted for electric drive)	UKL2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the Mini Countryman)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	Dual electric motors (quattro)	B38/B48 petrol · B47 diesel
Fuel	Electric	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	Single-speed automatic (fixed ratio)	8-speed automatic · 6-speed manual
Euro standard	N/A (electric)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Zero-emission — unrestricted access in all LEZ zones	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi e-tron

Early software bugs in the infotainment and driver-assist systems
High-voltage system: coolant circuit and electronics need checking on early cars
Real-world range sits well below the WLTP figure

BMW X1

EGR clogging on diesels
Engine mounts can wear early
Cooling system needs checking
Early timing-chain tensioners (B48/B47)

Pros

Audi e-tron

600-litre rear boot (plus 60-litre front frunk)
Dual-motor quattro (408 hp in the 55)
Air suspension standard

BMW X1

Sharp BMW handling
Proven B-series engines
Optional xDrive all-wheel drive

Cons

Audi e-tron

Real-world range is well below the WLTP figure
~2.5-tonne kerb weight

BMW X1

Less roomy than the Q3/Tiguan
Front-wheel-drive base (the E84 was rear-wheel drive)

Driving experience

Audi e-tron

As a model line, the e-tron accelerates strongly and silently on dual electric motors, and the air suspension soaks up poor surfaces. It feels heavy and planted rather than agile, and it is happiest cruising. Regeneration is adjustable for one-pedal driving in town. The 55 quattro has 408 hp and a 95 kWh battery, but real-world range is well below its WLTP figure.