BMW IX1 vs Peugeot E-Expert

What's the difference?

The world is full of shock brand announcements.

Remember the time Coke suddenly changed its cola recipe? Or when Apple decided to take on Nokia with iPhone? Nobody saw those coming.

We all know how the latter turned out and even the former eventually became a marketing masterstroke.

Now here's another super-surprise – a German electric luxury SUV that’s actually comparatively inexpensive. And not stingily equipped. Yep, we’re talking about the iX1.

Based on the really rather impressive third-generation X1, it decisively undercuts similarly-specified rivals from Mercedes-Benz (EQA, EQB) and Genesis (GV60).

But is the Bavarian EV SUV worth paying that little bit extra for against (only very slightly) cheaper alternatives like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40 Recharge?

Let’s see.

French manufacturer Peugeot is at the cutting edge of electric commercial vans in Australia, having introduced its E-Partner small van (under 2.5-tonnes GVM) in 2023 before recently adding its new E-Expert in the popular mid-size segment (2.5 to 3.5-tonne GVM).

We recently spent a working week aboard the E-Expert to see if it has what it takes to provide a genuine zero-tailpipe-emissions alternative to Toyota’s dominant diesel-only HiAce.