A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
RAV4
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
iX1
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
RAV4
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Model Introduced Year
2023
2026
Generation
Battery-electric U11 compact SUV, closely related in body and cabin architecture to the third-generation X1.
All-new sixth-generation RAV4 introduced in South Africa in July 2026
Facelift History
The current U11 iX1 is the first battery-electric X1 generation; no South African facelift has been announced.
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African 2026 specification
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
Car
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1725-1740 kg
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Length
4500 mm
4645 mm
Width
1845 mm
1880 mm
Height
1616 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2692 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
186 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
490 l
732 l
Kerb Weight
2085 kg
1560 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2580 kg
2230 kg
Payload Capacity
570 kg
460 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
991 mm
Rear Headroom
981 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1031 mm
Rear Legroom
928 mm
882 mm
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
2.5-litre Petrol Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Market-specific engine family
Fuel Type
Electric
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
2500 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Petrol Hybrid
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
10.5:1
Bore
Not Applicable
87.5 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
103.48 mm
Maximum Power
230 kW
137 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
494 Nm
221 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
1 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
1 Nm
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
2
1
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Integrated transmission electric motor
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
CVT
Top Speed
210 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.6 sec
7.8 sec
Quarter Mile
16.2 sec
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Sport, Trail, Snow
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
400 V
400 V
Electric Range
490 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
130 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
6 h 30 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
30 min
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
AWD E-FOUR
LSD Available
Yes
Standard Front + Rear,
Transfer Case
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Yes
Electronic AWD Control
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
1
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
Automatic
CVT
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD E-FOUR
4WD Engagement
Electronically controlled AWD
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Yes
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
CVT
Low Range Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
AWD E-FOUR
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
21.3 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
17.2 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
24.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
21.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS Combo
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
55
Combined Driving Range
490 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
14.8
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Airbags
6
Driver Knee, Front Side, Rear Curtain, Front Curtain
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front + Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front + Rear
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Rear View Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Auto, Rainsensing
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Reverse Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
GR Sport Leather Sporty
Heated Seats
Yes
Standard Front
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Steering wheel M Leather
3 Spoke Heated, GR-S Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Driver & Passenger Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Driver & Passenger Power
Seat Trim
Sport seats for driver and front passenger
GR Sport Leather Sporty
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Auto Dual zone
Power Windows
Standard
All All One Touch
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard Smart Entry
Push Button Start
Yes
Push Start
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard Front x1
Sunroof
Panoramic
Moon roof
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Standard Power
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Auto Dual zone
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Infotainment System
Yes
JBL Display Audio, 12.9-inch
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
Standard 9 Standard Audio, Info Display, Voice
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
Standard 12.3-inch
USB Ports
2
Standard 5PCs
Infotainment Screen
14.9
12.9-inch
Touchscreen
14.9
12.9-inch
Spec
iX1
RAV4
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard LED
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black, Smokey Blue, Urban Khaki, Fierce Red and selected bi-tone finishes
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Approach Angle
25 deg
25 deg
Departure Angle
23 deg
23 deg
Wading Depth
500 mm
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Auto; Sport; Eco
Normal; Eco; Sport; Off-road
Locking Differential
Yes
Yes
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
20 deg
20 deg
Ground Clearance Max
-
186 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
186 mm
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
R:235-50R20 Alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Space Saver 165-90D18 Steel F:235-50R20 Alloy-
Wheel Rim Size
18" M Lt/Aly wheels Double-spoke style 838 M Bicolour
R:235-50R20 Alloy
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electric
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Tread (mm) 1620
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Tread (mm) 1650
Front Track Width
-
1620 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1650 mm
Spec
iX1
RAV4
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
107 g/km
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
6 Services / 90 000 km
Service Interval
-
12 months / 15 000 km
Battery Warranty
-
8 years 160 000 km
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Private and family
Price Zar
1255000 ZAR
941800 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Flagship
Starting Price
1255000
941800
Starting Price Zar
1255000
941800
Spec
iX1
RAV4
Warranty
Yes
3 years / 100 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This iX1 and RAV4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: iX1 95 vs RAV4 56.
Efficiency index: iX1 90 vs RAV4 84.
Safety-equipment index: iX1 92 vs RAV4 94.
Practicality index: iX1 64 vs RAV4 68.
Ownership-cover index: iX1 not separately scored vs RAV4 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
iX1 and RAV4 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
iX1 leads by 10 points
iX1 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while RAV4 remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
iX1
Performance
95/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
64/100
RAV4
Performance
56/100
Efficiency
84/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
68/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW iX1
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 75 pts for RAV4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, iX1 leads. However, RAV4 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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