The iX1 LWB is the most affordable BMW eSUV in India, priced at Rs 51.40 lakh (ex-showroom). At a similar price point, the BYD Sealion 7 is also available with a 500km+ claimed range, similar to the BMW rival. But which among these two eSUVs offers a higher range in real-world conditions? We revisit our test data, obtained by putting both the iX1 LWB and Sealion 7 through their paces in city and highway driving conditions, to find out.
BMW iX1 LWB vs BYD Sealion 7: Specifications and price
Sealion 7 is offered with a larger battery and a more potent dual-motor AWD setup
The BYD Sealion 7 comes with an 82.56kWh battery pack, which is 16.16kWh larger than the iX1 LWB’s battery. The Sealion 7 also comes with a dual-motor AWD setup, while the iX1 is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) eSUV. The addition of an extra motor is also reflected in the outputs of the Sealion 7, as it produces a whopping 326 hp and 440Nm more than the iX1 LWB. The BYD Sealion 7 is 4.1 seconds quicker on a 0-100kph run compared to the BMW iX1.
In terms of pricing, the BMW iX1 eDrive20L is the more affordable option, costing Rs 3.5 lakh less than the BYD Sealion 7 Performance.
BMW iX1 LWB vs BYD Sealion 7: Real-world range
The BMW iX1 has a slightly higher real-world range than the Sealion 7
The claimed range of both eSUVs cannot be compared because they are tested on different cycles (ARAI for iX1 and NEDC for Sealion 7). In our real-world tests, however, the iX1 offered more range in both city and highway driving conditions.
In city conditions, the iX1 LWB is 1.58km per kWh more efficient than the Sealion 7, helping it with a 25km higher range. In highway driving conditions, too, the BMW offering has a better efficiency of 1.43km per kWh compared to the Sealion 7’s 5.60km per kWh, helping the iX1 LWB to travel 28km more than the Sealion 7. Hence, on average, the iX1 can cover 26.5km more than the Sealion 7 on a full charge.
Autocar India’s range testing
For our real-world range test, we begin with each car’s battery fully charged and tyre pressures set as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. We drive the cars on a fixed loop covering both city and highway stretches while maintaining set average speeds. We then calculate the range based on the percentage of charge consumed. The AC is set to 22-degree celcius in auto mode, and features such as the music system, lights and ventilated seats are used as needed, just as a regular user would. This approach ensures consistency and gives a clear idea of what to expect in daily use.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Rivan RS 
