Buying advice for 50 lakh budget: I want Ioniq 5 but wife says BMW X1

I don’t mind being an early EV adopter with the IONIQ 5 and putting up with the challenges that might come with EV ownership.

BHPian huygens recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Going to buy my first ever car. The wife and I are unable to agree between the IONIQ 5 and the 2023 BMW X1.

I want the Ioniq 5 because:

• I don’t mind being an early EV adopter with the IONIQ 5 and putting up with the challenges that might come with EV ownership (road trips may happen occasionally – we live in Delhi, for context).
• I test drove the EV6 and loved the ride. I test drove the earlier gen X1 and it didn’t feel great. I’m used to a Toyota Fortuner and the X1 felt stiff in comparison.
• BMW has missed out on the little things that matter, by using a poor touchscreen with lag and incorrect input sensing (based on all the videos I’ve seen). IONIQ delivers on all those little things.

Wife wants the X1 for the following reasons and I do agree with her on these:

• She likes its design and build. I agree, the X1 looks good. While the IONIQ looks great, the X1 feels more.. price-appropriate? Even on the interiors – while the IONIQ is great, the BMW feels more.. premium?
• The BMW badge. If you’re spending 50L, you’d like a BMW logo over a Hyundai logo. And this argument is hard to tackle since it’s irrational.
• We don’t know if the range is adequate for long drives, especially since EV range tends to drop noticeably at highway speeds? Is this going to an annoyance? Like, can I not do 120kmph on the IONIQ without anxiety?

What all aspects should I compare between the two cars?

What are some potential dealbreakers and other aspects I may have missed?

Here’s what GTO said on the matter:

I would suggest the Ioniq 5. You are comparing one of the best EVs on sale in India, to a BMW with a 3-cylinder petrol or a 4-cylinder diesel making “adequate” power at best. Since you are from Delhi, I cannot recommend the diesel as you’d have to sell it prematurely. And the 3-cylinder petrol has merely 136 horses.

Since you don’t mind being an early adopter, just go for the Ioniq 5 and revv….err, spin away to glory.

Additionally, while I agree on the 50 lakh part, Agreed. that green number-plate also comes with bragging rights, and I do find the Ioniq 5 to be the better looker.

The Ioniq 5 has sufficient range for nearby road-trips. How frequent are your other longer road-trips? If just 2 – 3 times a year, either endure the pain of public charging spots (it’s terribly inconsistent, although improving) or rent a petrol / diesel SUV from Myles / Revv self-drive rentals.

Here’s what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

I think cars like the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are game changers and are the future. The only reason the likes of X1 are even in competition is the badge, otherwise they are outclassed in every objective comparison especially when weighted against the asking price. If I had 50-60L to spend on a car today, I’d go for the I5.

Here’s what BHPian Vinod_nair had to say on the matter:

If I were you, I would get myself a Nexon EV max, it handles beautifully, and a Tucson for highway runs.

Happy shopping.

Here’s what BHPuan revsperminute had to say on the matter:

Neither is the answer. The new X1 is a wheezing excuse of a BMW and there’s always time for an EV.

Get yourself a Q3. 190hp turbo-petrol, Quattro AWD, effortless to drive, interiors feel properly luxurious.

If you wish to ramp up the style quotient, the Sportback in bright Blue looks smashing.

Here’s what BHPian samyakmodi had to say on the matter:

While maximum votes are for ioniq 5, I wouldn’t recommend that just as yet. Somehow the looks are quirky and will mostly not age well. BMW though makes rock solid cars has totally lost it by giving it a 3 pot petrol while the diesel would depreciate your car ridiculously since you are in Delhi.

Also a Hyundai no matter how good – doesn’t justify a 50 lakh price tag.(I know – I might sound irrational)

In the price segment you are in, though quite healthy, but it doesn’t have many VFM vehicles around.

I would strongly recommend saving some substantial money and go for a car from a lower price bracket – maybe an Innova Hycross (if size is not an issue) OR maybe something else.

Or if your heart is set on spending this kind of money on a nice car – I would recommend spending some more and get a better one.

Though I am surprised you are not looking for a pre-loved vehicle. Benefits of a pre-loved vehicle are a plenty.

Since you have not mentioned your primary usage, number of people in the family, budget etc. it is very difficult to suggest any other particular car.

Keyword: Buying advice for 50 lakh budget: I want Ioniq 5 but wife says BMW X1