Holden Equinox vs BMW IX1
What's the difference?

Holden Equinox

$9,990 - $22,990

2020 price

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BMW IX1

$49,880 - $82,900

2023 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2020 Holden Equinox

2023 BMW IX1

By Laura Berry

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Electric motor type

Electromagnetically Excited

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

8.4L/100km (combined)

Electric range

440 km

Energy consumption

18.2 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

67.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Good value
Advanced safety tech
Practical

Surprising value for money
Impressive design inside and out
Decent road manners

Dislikes

Big turning circle
Awkward looks
Holden closing down

Could use stronger single-pedal braking tech
Some road/tyre noise intrusion
Hides its ‘EV-ness’ with regular ICE X1 styling

2020 Holden Equinox Summary

You might not think right now is the best time to buy a Holden, what with the announcement from General Motors about closing down its Aussie operations at the end of 2020.

That’s understandable but side-stepping around the Equinox could see you miss out on what is a practical, comfortable and safe mid-sized SUV.

You can also bet on some heavily discounted deals on the final Holdens which could see you pick up a huge bargain if you buy an Equinox.

I’ve tested the top-of-the-range Equinox LTZ-V in this review and along with taking you though its features and what the SUV is like to drive, I’ll cover what type of support you can expect to have after Holden closes down. The company has promised to take care of its customers with parts and services for at least the next decade.

Explore the 2020 Equinox LTZ-V in 3D below
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=RnCngGtbQHx

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2023 BMW IX1 Summary

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.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Holden Equinox 2023 BMW IX1

Verdict

Overlook the Holden Equinox LTZ-V and you could miss out on a practical, spacious and value-for-money mid-sized SUV. Concerned about Holden’s exit from Australia and how this affects servicing and parts? Well Holden has assured us that it will provide servicing support for 10 years following its closure at the end of 2020. If anything, you could be picking up a bargain and one of the last cars to wear a Holden badge.

Verdict

BMW is a true EV pioneer, as the 2014 i3 and subsequent models prove. There’s never been one that we didn’t like. The only problem was that all were expensive. And at times, prohibitively so.

Astoundingly, the iX1 breaks that cycle, comparatively speaking, while impressing us with its design, quality, packaging, dynamics and equipment levels.

As it stands, the xDrive30 is one of the most convincing and best-value medium-sized luxury SUV EVs on the market right now.

Who’d have thought it from a BMW?

Holden Equinox vs BMW IX1 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Holden Equinox vs BMW IX1
What's the difference?