At €390/month without a down payment, the BMW iX1 outperforms the Tesla Model Y

BMW makes a strong statement by offering a 48-month lease of its electric SUV iX1 at €390 per month without any large initial down payment.

Probably no manufacturer is more aggressive than BMW in the electric segment today. For years, the German automaker has been aiming to capture market share with very enticing offers. And BMW has understood: instead of selling you a car, it prefers to lease it to you.

Fortunately, buying an electric vehicle is somewhat nonsensical given how quickly technology evolves. Leasing is preferable to enable a technological leap every 3-4 years without worrying about resale and massive depreciation of your previous car.

€390/month, is there a catch?

With its all-electric iX1, BMW offers a vehicle that is slightly less refined than a Tesla Model Y Propulsion, but when we talk about the price, you’ll see that the performance gap is less significant.

Here, we’re talking about the iX1 eDrive 20 variant with M Sport trim priced at €50,640 before incentives. Still, BMW manages to make it eligible for the 2025 ecological bonus of €2,000. As you’ll see later, this bonus is very important!

The iX1 eDrive 20 isn’t a rocket, but with 204 horsepower (150 kW) and weighing 1,940 kg, it will meet the dynamic needs of a peaceful family. And with its battery capacity of 64.8 kWh, the projected WLTP range is 462 kilometers. It’s slightly behind a Tesla Model Y, as mentioned, especially since its charging power is limited to 130 kW.

Let’s get to the lease offer that interests us so much. With a duration of 48 months and 40,000 km (that’s 10,000 km per year), it includes extended warranty. The initial large payment is €2,390… before applying the €2,000 ecological bonus. Thus, the total of the 48 payments comes to €18,720. That’s practically a giveaway, as it only represents 37% of the catalog price.

What is a fair price?

Over such a long period of 4 years, the value of this BMW iX1, if you had to purchase it, would be significantly higher. The depreciation could reach 50%, and that’s money you don’t have to tie up.

Currently, the new Tesla Model Y Propulsion, with the same €2,390 upfront, over 48 months and 40,000 km, is offered at €626 per month. Its advantages are clear, but it remains €236 more per month than the BMW iX1. For a family vehicle, is it really necessary to invest so much in 2025? Over 48 months, the difference totals €11,328, or +60%. That’s a sharp increase!

READ ALSO: Tesla France offers 1 year of Supercharger access on its older Model Y