BMW iX1 vs Volkswagen T-Roc

BMW iX1

BMW’s fully electric compact SUV.

Volkswagen T-Roc

Volkswagen’s compact crossover SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW iX1

Pick the iX1 for zero-emission driving in a practical compact premium SUV with modern iDrive tech and a punchy xDrive30.

Best engine: The xDrive30 (313 hp, dual motor).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen T-Roc

Pick the T-Roc for a bold crossover look with an elevated seat and city-friendly dimensions.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

xDrive30 · Electric vs 1.5 TSI 150 · Petrol

	BMW iX1	Volkswagen T-Roc
Power	313 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	494 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,6 s Winner	8,5 s
Top speed	180 km/h	205 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	150,1 hp/t Winner	118,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	0 g/km Winner	128 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	—	5,6 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	BMW iX1	Volkswagen T-Roc
Boot	490 L Winner	445 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.495 L Winner	1.290 L
Wheelbase	2,69 m Winner	2,59 m
Length	4,50 m	4,23 m
Width	1,85 m	1,82 m
Height	1,62 m	1,57 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	BMW iX1	Volkswagen T-Roc
Platform	FAAR (front-drive base, shared with the X1 U11)	MQB A1 (transverse, shared with the Audi Q2)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	Single or dual electric motors (fifth-generation eDrive)	EA211/EA211 Evo petrol · EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel
Fuel	Electric	Petrol · Diesel
Transmission	Single-speed automatic (fixed ratio)	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Euro standard	N/A (electric)	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Zero-emission — unrestricted access in all LEZ zones	Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW iX1

Software/iDrive (early OS8/OS9 builds)
Integrated brake system (IBS) recall (2022–2024)
12V battery can drain when parked

Volkswagen T-Roc

DSG shift quality or fluid-service neglect
1.5 TSI cold-start hesitation/"kangarooing" (early)
AdBlue/DPF on diesels (short trips)

Pros

BMW iX1

Zero-emission and brisk in traffic thanks to instant torque
Practical compact SUV with adult rear seats and a 490 L boot
Quiet, refined ride, typically electric

Volkswagen T-Roc

Elevated seating and a usable boot
Agile and compact in town
Wide, efficient TSI/TDI range

Cons

BMW iX1

Firm ride, especially on larger wheels and M Sport
Battery pack slightly reduces boot versus the X1

Volkswagen T-Roc

Smaller boot on 4MOTION versions (~392 l)
Harder interior plastics

Driving experience

BMW iX1

Quiet, refined and responsive in typical EV fashion. Instant torque makes it feel brisk in traffic. Steering is accurate and reasonably weighted for a crossover; body control is good and the car feels planted. The xDrive30 (dual motor) is notably quicker and more secure in poor conditions; the eDrive20 (front-drive) is lighter and more efficient. Regenerative braking is strong in Efficient mode and takes some getting used to. Adaptive suspension (where fitted) helps, but the car can feel firm on poor Belgian roads, especially with larger wheels. Overall a capable, composed electric crossover rather than a pure driver’s car.

Volkswagen T-Roc

Easy, comfortable and a little more involving than most crossovers. The T-Roc steers accurately with decent weighting, rides well enough, and handles tidily for a car of its height, with the 2.0 TSI R version adding genuine pace. Front-drive is the default; 4MOTION adds traction in poor conditions. The 1.5 TSI is the sensible pick — smooth and efficient — the 2.0 TDI is the distance choice, and the 1.0 TSI is adequate for town work. The DSG is smooth; the manual is light. It is a well-rounded compact crossover that feels closer to a Golf than its tall body suggests.