The BMW X1 has evolved from a letdown to one of the most incredible little luxurious SUVs money can buy in three generations. The cabin is class-leading in terms of spaciousness and quality finish, it handles well, and a wide selection of engines is available. However, the ride is rough, it’s not inexpensive when new, and it’ll be long before cheaper used ones become available.”
Suppose you’re looking for a functional, but not too huge, family SUV without sacrificing aesthetics. In that case, the 2018 BMW X1 is a beautiful alternative to vehicles like the Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA. It’s more spacious than the previous BMW X1 (and most of its competitors), so it could be worth the extra money over mainstream rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai, and Hyundai Tucson.
How much the BMW X1 has changed in over a decade is incredible. The first-generation vehicle felt (and looked) a little half-hearted. Still, the second generation X1 was a tremendous improvement and eventually became one of the finest luxury compact SUVs on the market. The scenario was set for this all-new 2022 model to dominate the class.
Although the new BMW X1’s more extensive and more muscular external design may nonetheless split opinion, it is less divisive than some of the brand’s larger vehicles. But it’s on the inside that the new model outperforms the competition. It has the same sleek center console as the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, as well as BMW’s sophisticated dual-screen infotainment system.
A large trunk is one of the BMW X1’s strengths, and an automated tailgate is handy. Mid-spec vehicles and above come equipped with a cleverly movable rear seat that lets you prioritize a room where you need it. The X1’s rear seats are ideal for children, with plenty of space and a superb view out the side windows, and even large adults won’t be disappointed.
Not only does the inside of the BMW X1 resemble that of the new 2 Series Active Tourer, but It also shares a platform and a portion of its engine lineup with the people carrier. Significantly, the new X1 is available with petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and even electric power, with the latter (badged the BMW iX1) replacing the BMW i3 as the company’s new entry-level electric vehicle.
So far, we’ve driven the BMW X1 xDrive23i petrol and xDrive23d diesel. If you’re acquainted with BMW terminology, you’ll recognize that both are all-wheel-drive variants (thus the ‘xDrive’ suffix), although the BMW X1 is also available as a low-cost front-wheel-drive SUV. The new BMW X1 does not come with a manual transmission, which is unlikely to bother many purchasers.
Both of these vehicles have a minor level of electrical assistance, which improves fuel efficiency and provides a little power boost, but if you want to laze about in peace, you’ll want a plug-in hybrid. The X1 xDrive25e and xDrive30e PHEVs can travel up to 55 miles on electric power alone. That’s a significant trip and more than the Volvo XC40 PHEV can handle.
The X1 finds a remarkable combination between comfort and sportiness, handling with true agility and poise with classic BMW flair. It’s stiffer than many family SUVs, but not to the point of discomfort, in our opinion. It’s also a specific vehicle, with many standard driver-assist features taking the sting out of lengthy trips.
Overall, we believe the BMW X1 is one of the best all-rounders in the premium family SUV segment. To find out why, read our full 2022 BMW X1 review.
Is the BMW X1 the correct car for you?
The BMW X1 is an excellent option if you want a stylish SUV with plenty of interior room for the whole family. The most significant barrier to rationalizing the BMW X1 is that if you’re a family buyer, you can have a more significant mainstream option like the Skoda Kodiaq for the same price.
What makes and the engine should I get?
In terms of engine, the ‘best’ BMW X1 is determined by your intended usage. Types of diesel are suitable for individuals who cover many highway miles (what they lack in refinement, they make up for in economy). At the same time, gallons of gasoline is better for those who traverse shorter distances or want something a bit sportier.
The two plug-in hybrid BMW X1s are possibly the most remarkable, with ranges of up to 55 miles, but they’re pricey to purchase or lease and only truly make sense if you can charge at home and drive the vehicle for many short trips.
No BMW X1 seems underequipped, yet if you want something unique, look at the more expensive xLine and M Sport variants (perfect with preferred option packs). Because this is a premium-brand vehicle, you may rapidly build up a rather eye-watering list price if you don’t exercise restraint in the options list.
What other vehicles are comparable to the BMW X1?
Excellent compact SUVs abound in the luxury automotive market. Considering buying a BMW X1, you should also examine the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA as essential rivals. The Volvo XC40, Range Rover Evoque, and recently released Alfa Romeo Tonale are all highly comfortable and elegant alternatives. We recommend the current (but more extensive and expensive) Lexus NX if you want hybrid power.
Are you not concerned with a nice badge? Then there are several excellent family SUVs that you might consider. The Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq are our top picks, with the Mazda CX-5 a close second. Consider the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, the Nissan Qashqai and the new Renault Austral, and Korean rivals.
interior design and comfort
“Unlike older automobiles, the BMW X1’s interior does not surround you. Instead, it feels light and roomy, and the customary dual infotainment displays make it appear cutting-edge. It’s one of our favorite compact SUV interiors.
Inside, the new X1 resembles the latest BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. A large windshield and floating center console contribute to the overall sensation of vastness. Although you don’t sit exceptionally high in an SUV, it is higher than in a hatchback like the 1 Series, and there is plenty of flexibility in the seats if you need to look over hedgerows.
Even after lengthy stints behind the wheel, we found the seats pleasant and supportive, but you may want to seek out an X1 with additional lumbar support (including a massage function) for further comfort. There’s a classic BMW sense of driver focus in the front, with the center console and screens tilted towards you. But there’s also a sense of room and airiness that you’d expect from an MPV.
You get the standard thick-rimmed BMW steering wheel, which may obscure sections of the dial display for larger drivers, but it’s not a significant deal. The current infotainment system is smooth and feature-rich (with one exception; see below). It feels high-quality, and aluminum inlays and blue stitching (depending on the trim level) light up the interior.
Finishing and quality
The BMW X1 is as lovely as you’d expect from a tiny BMW, with plenty of thick, high-quality materials and a clever frameless infotainment system. It, like the current 2 Series Active Tourer, has been developed with families in mind, so there are a few hard plastics that can withstand being kicked and poked by smaller family members.
As is typically the case, the more you pay for a BMW X1, the more elegant it seems on the inside. BMW’s fancy Sensatec faux leather and gloss-back interior accents are standard on xLine versions. At the same time, the BMW X1 M Sport adds sporty Alcantara seat covers with blue stitching and aluminum interior highlights. Overall, it has the finest combination of design, quality, and functionality in the premium compact SUV segment.
Touchscreen, USB, navigation, and audio are all standard features.
The 2017 BMW X1 is outfitted with the brand’s eighth-generation iDrive infotainment system. This is standard throughout the range, combining a 10.25-inch digital driver display with a 10.7-inch central touchscreen display. It’s a very user-friendly system, with clear visuals and quick reactions.
You may also add an ‘augmented reality function to the navigation system as an option. A head-up display is used to project arrow directions onto the screen. It doesn’t seem comforting, but it’s done intelligently to guide you to the right turn or roundabout without interfering with your realistic view of the road. However, this does not function if you use Google Maps or Waze through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Our only major complaint is that there is no rotary controller as in a BMW 3 Series; instead, you must touch the screen directly, which is a bit more distracting when driving. Some may not consider this a significant deal, but in our experience, it makes things a bit fiddly sometimes. The elimination of BMW’s actual climate control buttons and knobs has a similar effect: temperature settings are always displayed on the screen, but fine-tuning them is a pain.
One solution is to use BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant. Responding to ‘hello BMW’ orders, this is one of the finest voice-activated devices we’ve tested. It’s not only for controlling the audio system; you can also order it to open a window, switch on the heated seats, or alter the temperature control. It is effective.
The BMW X1 has a convenient mobile phone tray in front of the center console. This has wireless charging and a clasp to keep your phone in place. Curiously for some, it’s positioned vertically rather than horizontally like most other automobiles, which is why it requires a clasp to keep your phone in place.
BMW X1 boot space
The new BMW X1 measures 4500mm long, 1845mm wide, and 1642mm high, representing increases of 53mm, 24mm, and 44mm over the previous model. There is also an additional 22mm between the front and back wheels.
In layperson’s terms, the BMW X1 is enormous for a vehicle in its class, being somewhat longer than the Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3. No, it’s not as large as a seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq, but it’s a better ‘family vehicle’ than the old BMW X1. Of course, for some, the increased exterior dimensions may be a burden rather than a benefit, especially regarding parking. Still, we didn’t find them particularly bothersome, even on narrow rural roads.
The boot of the BMW X1 can hold up to 540 liters of baggage, which is a lot more than the Volvo XC40 and even more than the Nissan Qashqai’s trunk. Again, you might be excused for overlooking that this is BMW’s smallest SUV. There’s lots of underfloor storage, and a standard-fit electronic tailgate makes things easy when your hands are full of groceries.
A movable rear bench is a standard on BMW X1 xLine versions and above. That means you may prioritize back passenger legroom or baggage space in the boot. Of course, if you don’t have anybody in the back, the seats fold down in a good 40/20/40 split to give up to 1600 liters of baggage capacity. We haven’t yet tested the plug-in hybrid X1, which will likely have slightly less boot capacity.
Rear passengers should be pleased when the seats are in use. There is more head and legroom than in significant rivals; even the middle seat isn’t as tight as others. Adults may spend a long time here without feeling crowded; they’ll probably believe you’ve purchased the larger BMW X3.
The front also feels unusually large, thanks to a floating center console and a low dashboard (similar to the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer). The seats have a lot of adjustability; you can crank them up for a high sitting position or lower them for more headroom.
Handling and ride quality:
BMWs tend to be a little sportier than their rivals, and although the new X1 doesn’t handle like a sports car, it seems more planted than most, if not all, of the smaller SUVs.
Even though we’ve only driven the new BMW X1 in its sportiest, least-comfort-focused M-Sport configuration, we believe it achieves a solid mix of insulating passengers from the gnarliest road conditions and managing body motions to make the vehicle feel quick and agile. We have some doubts, however.
The M-Adaptive suspension on the BMW X1 M-Sport variants we tested allowed us to choose between softer and stiffer damper settings. Our test vehicles, however, came with enormous 20-inch alloy wheels. While we never felt uncomfortable in the vehicles, the underlying stiffness may make it a less soothing car to commute in than, for instance, the gently sprung Volvo XC40. We believe that lower-diameter wheels will help balance things out.
Keen drivers, on the other hand, are sure to be impressed. On quicker, more uneven roads, the X1 seems quite well-sorted, but the XC40 feels willowy and unsettled. Okay, it’s not a 3 Series, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable twisting road in any family-focused ‘regular’ SUV.
The steering lacks a feel, but it is pretty precise and straight. There’s plenty of traction, and BMW’s superb xDrive all-wheel-drive system is available for those who want more certainty (which is great if you live in the country).
It’s also a simple vehicle to drive at moderate speeds, thanks to the elevated sitting position that provides good sight and an extensive list of driver-assist systems that operate as a second set of eyes.
What engines and transmissions are available for the BMW X1?
The BMW X1 lineup provides something for everyone—if you don’t want a manual transmission, that is. That’s not terrible since all X1 vehicles have an excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox.
A 2.0-liter diesel engine powers the cheapest BMW X1, dubbed the sDrive18d. This front-wheel-drive variant has 150 PS and 360 Nm of torque, capable of reaching 62mph in 8.9 seconds. It’s not thrilling, but its excellent economy will make it the X1 of choice for long-distance drivers.
Are you looking for a diesel with more power? The BMW X1 xDrive23d, with 211 PS and 400 Nm of torque, and a 0-62mph timing of 7.4 seconds, is required. BMW fans will recognize the ‘xDrive’ portion of its name, which indicates it has BMW’s all-wheel drive system, which can transfer power to the rear wheels when needed to boost traction.
The 218-PS BMW X1 xDrive23i is available in a petrol version. This vehicle employs a 2.0-liter petrol engine to go 62 mph in 7.1 seconds. It’s helped with moderate hybrid electrical assistance and a paddle (on M Sport versions) for an additional ‘boost’ of acceleration — juvenile, maybe, but useful for quick overtakes. It’s rather powerful; however, we’d like to see a lower-powered, cheaper petrol engine with roughly 50 PS less that would still likely provide adequate speed for most. That is expected to come later.
Of course, in this day and age, an SUV must be equipped with hybrid power to stand out. While the BMW X1 cannot be purchased as a self-charging hybrid, two plug-in hybrids are available. We haven’t tested either, but they combine a 1.5-liter petrol engine with an electric motor and a rather big (by hybrid standards) 7.4 kWh battery, resulting in a highly competitive electric range of up to 55 miles. More than that, you’ll need the all-electric BMW iX1.
What is the price of the BMW X1 2023
The 2023 BMW X1 is only available in a single trim and has a starting price of $39,100, with options that increase the price to around $50,000. Those cost a little steep for a premium subcompact SUV, but the X1’s features make it an excellent buy. These features include standard all-wheel drive, an elegant and well-designed interior, and the most outstanding performance in its class.
Noise levels and refinement
The 2.0-liter petrol engine in our BMW X1 xDrive23i test vehicle was thunderous, which surprised us. It may be because it has a little sporty bent, but the four-cylinder engine doesn’t whisper as yell; premium competitors are generally quieter.
In this way, the diesel BMW X1 sDrive18d does not do much better. We just drove it briefly, but it rattles noticeably, emphasizing how quiet and polished the electric BMW iX1 is. However, it’s possible that we’re not as used to the standard diesel sounds as we were when they were more prevalent.
Safety features: How secure is the BMW X1?
The BMW X1 is equipped with the brand’s most recent front-collision warning system, which includes braking intervention. This implies it may identify a possible collision (with another car, pedestrian, or bike) and alert you to avoid it. If the driver does not react, the system automatically uses the brakes to prevent an accident or lessen its severity.
A lane departure warning system is also included, as is Active Park Distance Control, which may apply the brakes to avoid a low-speed scrape and alert you to obstructions while parking. The BMW X1 also comes standard with a reversing camera, and the newest version of Parking Assist can assist with steering control as you negotiate a parking spot.
In 2022, crash-test authorities at Euro NCAP gave the BMW X1 five stars. Overall, the results were excellent, with the safety assist numbers, in particular, standing out.
How much does it cost to operate a BMW X1?
“As long as you get the right BMW X1 for your needs, it shouldn’t be too expensive to run.”
On paper, the plug-in hybrid variants are significantly more efficient, with the BMW X1 xDrive25e and xDrive30e achieving up to 353.1 mpg in official WLTP testing. Take these estimates with a grain of salt since the effectiveness of PHEVs is highly dependent on how they are used.
However, both PHEVs have an electric range of up to 55 miles, which is quite a distance before the gasoline engine has to kick in. If you make a lot of short trips and have off-road parking (with an electric vehicle charger or at least a three-pin outlet), the plug-in hybrids will be almost as affordable to operate as the electric BMW iX1.
We suggest one of the diesel-powered BMW X1 versions for long-distance drivers. While diesel may be out of favor, it is still the most cost-effective option to travel at highway speeds for lengthy periods. The X1 xDrive23d is officially rated at 58.9 mpg, whereas the sDrive18d is rated at 57.7 mpg.
Unsurprisingly, the petrol BMW X1 xDrive23i is the thirstiest, with an official fuel economy of up to 43.5 mpg. Not bad for a reasonably powerful petrol SUV.
How trustworthy is the BMW X1?
BMW’s performance in the current HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index was mediocre, placing 20th out of 30. That’s lower than you’d expect from a luxury brand, but it’s still pricier than competitors like Audi and Alfa Romeo.
However, we are unaware of any frequent faults with the current BMW X1, and its engines have shown to be relatively reliable in previous BMWs. The BMW X1’s servicing expenses may be higher than its mainstream rivals, but they should not leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Costs and insurance groups
You’ll need a less powerful BMW X1 model to get low insurance. Even these may be expensive to insure if you are a young or inexperienced driver. The BMW X1 sDrive18d Sport, which is in insurance category 24, should be the cheapest to cover, but we always suggest shopping around for rates.
Trim levels and standard features
LED lighting, 17-inch alloy wheels, and an automated tailgate are standard on the BMW X1 Sport. Inside, the BMW X1 Sport has a sports leather steering wheel, two-zone climate control, and a curved display that combines a 10.25-inch information screen with a 10.7-inch control display. The BMW X1 Sport additionally has cruise control and the Parking Assistant pack (which includes active park distance control and a reversing assist camera).
The BMW X1 xLine has dark grey mirror caps, a matte aluminum radiator grille, and aluminum door sills. Perforated Sensatec (faux-leather) seats and high-gloss black interior trim are standard inside.
The BMW X1 M Sport has 19-inch alloy wheels, black Alcantara/Sensatec seats with blue stitching, and aluminum interior decor.
