BMW IX1 News

The premium small car category (starting under $80K) is an interesting one because there are many cars that might not necessarily be cross-shopped, but in one way or another they end up being compared to one another.Our 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards category shortlist saw entrants from Audi, BMW, Cupra, Renault, Smart, Subaru and Volvo. The vehicles range from small petrol hatches all the way to small electric SUVs.Now we’re at the pointy end and it’s time to whittle it down to a winner. First up are the two runners up in alphabetical order, then the category winner.This small SUV from Audi is an oldie but a goodie and that’s how it has ended up as a runner up for CarsGuide’s best small premium car.CarsGuide reviewers love how the Q3, despite its age, still presents well with a stunning exterior design, while the driving experience is elegant, yet fun.“I think it’s such a neatly executed package, it’s hard to pick faults in that car,” said CarsGuide Deputy Editor James Cleary.However there is a new-generation model set to launch locally in early 2026 that could potentially become the new benchmark for the segment.While this French small electric SUV hasn’t stormed up the sales charts like some of its competitors, it’s a dark horse with charming driving dynamics and a stunning interior design.CarsGuide Deputy News Editor Tom White, who had one for a three-month long-term loan early in 2025, noted it’s a car that moves the Renault brand forward in Australia.In fact, he said that everyone who sat in this tester asked if it was a Kia, which he believes is a massive compliment to the Megane E-Tech.The few things holding this car back are the mediocre AC charging rate, plus the Australian-specification car does miss out on things like connected services, which are offered overseas. Thankfully Renault has committed to addressing the latter with an update in 2026.Although it’s been a couple of years now since the current-generation X1 launched in Australia, it still stands out as a segment benchmark, therefore making it a clear choice for CarsGuide’s best premium small car of 2026.“Previously the Q3 was my favourite in that category, I think the X1 does move the game forward,” said CarsGuide Deputy News Editor Tom White.It not only offers class-leading petrol-powered variants, but the availability of electric powertrains in the same body style. All of them have stellar driving dynamics and high-tech interiors.Additionally, besides its compact exterior dimensions, the X1’s clever interior packaging and available storage space makes it almost feel like a mid-sized SUV. You can see why this is now the best-selling BMW in Australia.

BMW has updated its smallest SUV models with more efficient engines and a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, but prices are up across the line-up.The 2026 BMW X1 and X2 now no longer run four-cylinder engines for the most part, and a plug-in hybrid variant joins the X1 line-up.New emissions regulations have led to the hotter M35i versions of the X1 and X2 to drop a little bit of power.More changes to the models’ line-ups come with the removal of the single-motor variants of each electric car, the iX1 and iX2. Some pricing has changed, though a couple of models were spared the mark-ups.Starting from the biggest addition, the new BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid is a $79,500 ask before on-road costs, landing it roughly in the middle of the X1 line-up price-wise.While BMW says some of its technical details are to be confirmed, an EV range of as much as 86km thanks to a 14.2kWh battery will help the X1 PHEV achieve a fuel consumption rate between 6.3L and 7.1L/100km, BMW says.The all-wheel drive model uses a 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo engine, mostly used in sibling brand Mini’s models, with an 80kW electric motor assisting the operation for a total 180kW/477Nm output.BMW has also streamlined the entry point into each model, both now starting with a front-wheel drive ‘sDrive20i’ variant that features more kit than the outgoing sDrive18i in the X1, and is cheaper than the outgoing all-wheel drive xDrive20i variants in each X1 and X2.They’re powered by similar 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo engines to the X1 PHEV, but feature mild-hybrid assistance for outputs of 125kW/280Nm sent to the wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.As well as the drivetrain updates, electrically adjustable heated seats have been added.More small changes come in the addition of silicon carbide (SiC) inverters to the iX1 and iX2, now available only in ‘xDrive30’ variants, though pricing remains the same for each: $86,800 for the iX1 and $87,600 for the iX2.Finally, the performance-focused M35i xDrive variants are each $1000 pricier, while also having their performance culled slightly with no additional features added.Due to the addition of a petrol particulate filter “for adherence to new emissions regulations”, each has been sapped of 12kW meaning outputs are now 221kW and 400Nm on each. Engines are still the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder Full explanations of the changes to the X1 and X2 can be found in the tables below.2026 BMW X1 price Australia *X1 sDrive18i was $62,400, xDrive20i was $72,400 2026 BMW X2 price Australia ** X2 xDrive20i M Sport was $77,900 2026 BMW X1 engine/powertrain and efficiency2026 BMW X2 engine/powertrain and efficiency

The small car segment, especially on the premium and luxury end of the spectrum, has been very tumultuous over the last few years with hatchback and sedan sales plummeting, while SUV sales have climbed astronomically.In order to combat this, as part of our ongoing 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards, we’ve combined small premium passenger cars and SUVs into this segment.It’s worth noting that each shortlisted small premium car mentioned below is inclusive of the entire line-up, though its entry price must be under $80,000 before on-road costs for this particular category.The following is a rundown of our top 10 sub-$80K small cars in alphabetical order and why they made the cut. Our top three, including the category winner, will be announced on February 6.Note Mercedes-Benz's current A-Class, CLA and GLA were ineligible as they were unavailable for review.While many brands are fleeing this segment of the car market, this German small hatch and sedan is still offered in Australia in a wide range of trim levels and variants. Beyond the normal A3 variants, there’s the sporty S3 and the fire-breathing RS3.It notably made this shortlist due to the latter which is still offered with an iconic five-cylinder engine. However, we do wish it made just a bit more noise like the older models did.Beyond this, CarsGuide reviewers praised the A3 line-up for its capable and engaging driving dynamics, as well as its luxuriously equipped and premium-presenting interior.While the A3 hatch and sedan may be newer, the Audi Q3 small SUV has been soldiering on for a couple of years now without any major updates.The current model is reaching the end of its lifecycle and is set to be replaced by a new-generation model during 2026.Despite this, CarsGuide reviewers liked how the Q3’s exterior design is ageing, even in the polarising Sportback body style, plus the on-road manners are both elegant and fun.The new-generation version of the BMW 1 Series hatchback launched locally late in 2024, offering everything from everyday commuter trims to the M135 xDrive hot hatch.CarsGuide reviewers were impressed with its driving dynamics and outright performance, though fuel efficiency took a hit as a result.Additionally we liked the new and modern front-row layout, however the exterior design, especially at the front, likely isn’t for everyone.The X1 small SUV is the most popular BMW in Australia currently and for good reason.It launched locally in new-generation guise in 2022 to popular fanfare, then the all-electric iX1 variants joined the line-up in 2023, cementing its status as a benchmark small SUV.CarsGuide reviewers praised X1/iX1’s on-road manners, as well as the modern and high-tech exterior and interior designs. However, common European quibbles like tyre roar and suspension bumps can intrude into the cabin.The X2 is a swoopy ‘coupe’ SUV counterpart to the X1 small SUV and still notably offers both petrol and electric (iX2) powertrain options.While its exterior design is polarising and not for everyone, CarsGuide reviewers appreciated how polished the drivetrains feel from behind the wheel. The X2/iX2 is also affordable when compared to premium rivals from the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.The few dislikes were centred around the X2 M35i xDrive’s firm ride due to its large (and thankfully optional) 21-inch alloy wheels, as well as the slight reduction in boot capacity over the X1/iX1.This spicy Spanish small crossover SUV is the clear front-runner for Cupra in Australia. Arriving in 2022, the Formentor is offered in a range of variants from warm to hot, plus even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering.CarsGuide reviewers appreciated the lifted hatchback looks and the smile-inducing driving dynamics, however some found the multimedia system to be a little finicky and the ride a little too far on the firm side.An oft-forgotten entrant in the small SUV segment, this quirky French electric SUV impresses with its sleek design, maximised interior space and reactive driving feel.There is currently only one trim level of the Megane E-Tech offered in Australia, the Techno EV60, and it’s limited by its 7.4kW maximum AC charging rate, plus the lack of features like connected services that are available overseas.A huge step away from the iconic Fortwo of the early ‘00s and ‘10s, the Smart #3 is the brand’s largest car in Australia to date.With unique looks and a premium cabin feel, the #3 impresses though the driver-assist features can be a little overbearing and the panoramic glass sunroof has no sunshade.More sore points are the average warranty coverage of five years or 150,000km, as well as the hefty servicing costs for an electric vehicle.While a number of these shortlisted vehicles are high-tech or electrified offerings, the Subaru WRX stands out as a purist sports car.Still featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine and a manual transmission in certain trim levels, the WRX is offered in sedan and wagon body styles.CarsGuide reviewers praised the WRX’s dynamism, practicality and even value when compared to rivals with similar amounts of power. However, the WRX Sportswagon only comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and doesn’t look as sporty as the standard WRX sedan.This vibrant and quirky Volvo electric SUV stands out on the road thanks to its stunning exterior design with boxy proportions.The interior also stands out, but sometimes not in the best of ways. CarsGuide reviewers found too many of the key features are tucked into menus on the central touchscreen, plus the lack of a proper instrument cluster was grating.

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