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BMW iX1 vs Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
Selected trimYOU! Comfort RangeChange trim322 mi · 79.9 kWh · £34,065
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross leads on value for money and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueCitroën
BMW
6.4
Citroën
7.2
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
Citroën
3.6
Family
BMW
7.4
Citroën
7.2
Too close to call
ChargingCitroën
BMW
4.1
Citroën
5.5
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
Citroën
2.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
4.6
Citroën
4.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
YOU! Comfort Range
- £3,000 cheaper
- 75 litres more boot space
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 1.0 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Citroën ë-C5 AircrossYOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 | £34,065 (better) |
| Official range | 320 miles | 322 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L | 565 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec (better) | 8.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
Length
BMW iX14,500mm-152mm
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross4,652mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm-91mm
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross1,936mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm-76mm
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross1,692mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Citroën ë-C5 AircrossYOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,652 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm (better) | 1,936 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,692 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 10.9 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare (better) | 464 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Citroën ë-C5 AircrossYOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L | 565 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Citroën ë-C5 Aircross YOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.65m+152mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.94m+91mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | Not available |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.69m+76mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.79m+103mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 565L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 10.9m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,184kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 79.9kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi | 322 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 160kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 | £34,065 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £32,565 (-£1,500) (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Citroën ë-C5 AircrossYOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles | 322 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 224 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 160 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 170 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh | 73.7 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Citroën ë-C5 AircrossYOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec (better) | 8.9 sec |
| Power | 150 kW | 157 kW (better) |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 345 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
YOU! Comfort Range
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Citroën ë-C5 Aircross YOU! Comfort Range
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist62%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Citroën ë-C5 AircrossYOU! Comfort Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX1 worth the extra £3,000 over the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross?
The BMW iX1 costs £3,000 more than the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Citroën ë-C5 Aircross is not just cheaper - it also offers 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and 75 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross?
The Citroën ë-C5 Aircross is £3,000 cheaper to buy. The BMW iX1 is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 a year versus £184 for the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross comes out roughly £2,760 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 224 miles for the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 42 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross?
The BMW iX1 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 91 mm narrower than the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1 and about 464 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross. The Citroën ë-C5 Aircross also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX1 or the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Citroën ë-C5 Aircross rank among the best motorway EVs
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .