BMW iX1 vs Ford Explorer EV

Updated October 2026 · Real-world figures, not WLTP

BMW iX1

iX1 eDrive20 (MY26)

£33,315 · 249 mi

Wins 8 of 13

Ford Explorer EV

Explorer Standard Range RWD (MY27)

£33,685 · 208 mi

Wins 5 of 13

Our verdict

The BMW iX1 and Ford Explorer EV are both electric SUVs in the medium car class. The BMW iX1 starts at £33,315 in the UK and the Ford Explorer EV at £33,685, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The iX1 goes further, with about 249 miles of real-world range against 208 for the Explorer EV. On top of that, it uses less energy (3.8 mi/kWh against 3.6 mi/kWh).

The Explorer EV has the bigger boot (532 litres against 490). On top of that, it is quicker, doing 0–62 mph in 8.0 s against 8.6 s.

There's little between them on price, rapid-charging speed and warranty length (3 years).

Choose the BMW iX1 if you want the longest range and lower running costs and the Ford Explorer EV if you want more boot space and more performance.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

BMW iX1Ford Explorer EV

Price

Price new: £33,315 (best)on sale now; £33,685on sale now
Used from (estimated): –too new; –too new
Price per mile of range: £134 (best); £162

Range and efficiency

Real-world range: 249 mi (best)400 km, estimate; 208 mi335 km, estimate
Range today, used (estimated): –; –
Efficiency: 3.8 mi/kWh (best)163 Wh/km, estimate; 3.6 mi/kWh173 Wh/km, estimate
Range with one 15-min stop: 267 mi (best)429 km; 216 mi347 km

Charging

Rapid charging: 95 kW10–80% average; 95 kW10–80% average
Home (AC) charging: 22 kW (best); 11 kW
Charging plug: Type 2 CCS; Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L): No; Yes (best)
Vehicle-to-home (V2H): No; No
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): No; No

Battery

Usable battery: 65.2 kWh (best); 58 kWh
Battery chemistry: NCM (nickel manganese cobalt); LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump: Yes; Yes

Body and performance

Body style: SUV; SUV
Size class: C · Medium car; C · Medium car
Seats: 5; 5
Drive: Front-wheel drive; Rear-wheel drive
0–62 mph: 8.6 s0–100 km/h; 8.0 s (best)0–100 km/h
Weight: 1,940 kg; 1,996 kg

Size

Length: 4.50 m14 ft 9 in; 4.47 m14 ft 8 in
Width (without mirrors): 1.85 m6 ft 1 in; 1.87 m6 ft 2 in
Width with mirrors: 2.10 m6 ft 11 in; 2.06 m6 ft 9 in
Height: 1.62 m5 ft 4 in; 1.63 m5 ft 4 in
Wheelbase: 2.69 m8 ft 10 in; 2.77 m9 ft 1 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space: 490 litres; 532 litres (best)
Towbar available: Yes; Yes
Towing (braked): 750 kg; 1,800 kg (best)
Max payload: 570 kgpeople and luggage; 629 kg (best)people and luggage
Euro NCAP rating: –not tested yet; 5 stars

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty: 3 years (best)unlimited miles; 3 years60,000 miles
Battery warranty: 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity; 8 years100,000 miles
Passes to next owner: Yes; Not confirmed

Availability

Status: On sale new; On sale new
Model years: 2026 on; 2026 on

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.