Overview & Reviews

With most of today's so-called compact SUVs bulking up to the size of yesterday's midsizers, finding a truly small crossover SUV can be a bit of a challenge, especially in the premium brand arena. But now that BMW has brought the X1 to the United States, shoppers have a truly compact BMW crossover to consider.

The BMW X1 may be lean, but its fun-to-drive personality is certainly plus-sized. Nearly 7 inches shorter in length and 5 inches shorter in height than its "compact" X3 sibling, the X1 also weighs about 400 pounds less and sports the same muscular engine choices. This imbues it with nimble handling and quick acceleration. The main downsides are that backseat and cargo space aren't abundant, and the price can escalate quickly. But overall the BMW X1 is a great alternative for sport sedan enthusiasts who'd like more utility -- or crossover fans who disagree that bigger is better.

Current BMW X1
The BMW X1 is offered in sDrive28i, xDrive28i and xDrive35i trim levels, where "sDrive" means rear-wheel drive and "xDrive" means all-wheel drive.

The 28i versions come with a turbocharged 2.0 liter inline-4 that generates 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The AWD-only 35i packs a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic is standard for the four-cylinder, while the 35i's six-cylinder is matched to a six-speed automatic.

Standard feature highlights of the 28i trims include 17-inch wheels, automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, Bluetooth phone connectivity, the iDrive electronics interface and an eight-speaker sound system with an iPod/USB interface. The xDrive35i adds 18-inch wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof and eight-way power front seats.

Desirable options are generally bundled in packages and include keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system with a larger display and a rearview camera. There's also a trio of "Design Lines" that add various cosmetic and performance-enhancing features, notably the M Sport with its aero body kit, sport-tuned suspension and highly supportive sport seats.

In reviews, our editors have found the turbocharged four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic to be a perfect match for the X1's nimble character. There's always plenty of power on tap, and highway fuel economy is well over 30 mpg according to the EPA. The six-cylinder model is swifter, of course, but it's probably not worth the efficiency trade-off for most people.

Even without the optional M Sport suspension, the X1 feels significantly more agile and responsive than BMW's X3, thanks to its smaller dimensions and lower center of gravity. Despite this sporty demeanor, the X1 also provides a fairly compliant ride that should please most shoppers in this segment. Rear passenger space is limited, however, and the baby Bimmer offers about 25 percent less cargo capacity than the X3. If you can live with that, the X1 is otherwise a pretty compelling overall package.

Used BMW X1 Models
The X1 debuted for the 2013 model year and has received only minor feature updates since.

User Reviews:

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  Great handling vehicle with in need of improvement - 2014 BMW X1
  By Roy - May 11 - 7:38 pm

  Purchased 2014 X1 fully loaded with M-Sport package. Great handling car with aggressive sporty ride, coming from a V6 engine it was hard to believe this car was only equipped with turbo 4. Comes with just enough tech to be comfortable (I never cared for Lane Departure Assistance, Front Collision Warning, and other new safety features). It however came with the crappiest quality materials I have seen in German cars, and it because the hard plastics were constantly expanding and rubbing, rattles/creaks were always present. The run flats combined with M suspension did not help either. Oh, and I purchased this vehicle at 45k and 2 years later the value was at 14k so its two year depreciation was @ 68% which is a little steep even for a BMW.

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  A BMW 3 Series as a small SUV - 2014 BMW X1
  By S Flicker - April 20 - 5:59 pm

  The great handling and braking of a 3 series with the added visibilty and cargo space of an SUV.

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  Tak ada fun right out of my BMW - 2014 BMW X1
  By PatD - January 11 - 11:23 pm

  My first BMW and Im now caught in the Takata airbag mess. BMW felt it was safe enough for me to drive but not take in trade, "they also have a stop sale on any affected models". I contacted BMW and asked for and got a rental car. The dealer now has my BMW and at this point I have doubts about if and when I will ever see it again and Im sure I will take a beating when I trade or sell it if and when I do. Do yourself a favor go to safercar.gov and check the vehicle ID number of ANY CAR you have or are looking to buy to check for open recalls! Avoid any car with a TAKADA airbag open recall like the plague. On the bright side I have a rental 2016 VW Jetta 1.4 that is almost as peppy as my BMW, has a better quieter ride is way more roomy and it is getting between 36-38 MPG. (The BMW only got 23 MPG average) I could almost buy three VWs for what I paid for my X1 BMW . NEVER AGAIN LESSON LEARNED.. Foot Note: Several manufacturers are still making cars with these deadly inflators buyer beware!!!!!

• 

  Xceptional! - 2016 BMW X1
  By M. McReynolds - December 9 - 12:43 pm

  3500 miles in and 5 stars in all aspects. Based on my experience, it lives up to BMWs billing...best in class performance, fuel economy and cargo. I evaluated other comparable models (Lexus NX, Acura RDX, Mercedes GLA, and Audi Q3) and chose the BMW X1. Car and Driver rating 4.5 out of 5. Its roomier on the inside than it appears from the outside. For both rows of seats, it actually has more head and leg room than the current BMW X3. I highly recommend the optional sliding 2nd row seat to gain flexibility for passengers versus cargo. Well-engineered and easy to use information technology (iDrive, bluetooth, Navigation, etc.). I didnt spec the safety technologies, so I cant comment on them. Give it a try - you wont be disappointed!

• 

  Great SUV - 2017 BMW X1
  By Pedro - November 1 - 6:59 pm

  Love this car, did lot of research and decided to order this car. The reason I ordered the car is because of the color and i wanted the sport package that has the sports seats. I did not like the regular seats at all, and my advise to all is that for 2017 you can order the car with sports seats, i would have not bought this car otherwise. I got this car loaded except for the driver assistance package with is worthless in NYC. I only have a couple of minor gripes about this gorgeous car. The first one that when i picked up the car at the performance center i found out that the media system does not have a hard drive and my second grype is that the car does not a a space for sunglasses, so I use the cubby hole in the drivers side door. This car looks luxurious and great with the sport package big difference over the regular one. it is worth the extra money for the looks and suspension. One more thing I would love to see this car with a bigger engine and a diesel option.

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  Test drove only a short distance - 2017 BMW X1
  By Lloyd Handlos - July 4 - 1:02 pm

  Really enjoyed the handling, interior was nice and the cargo carrying ability was good. Uses premium gas which I dont care for however most of the nicer rigs use it to help up the performance.

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  agree to disagree - 2017 BMW X1
  By alan - February 28 - 6:41 am

  previous owner of earlier bmws, mini cooper S, porsche and ferrari, as well as a slew of others, I am compelled to disagree with earlier gentleman statement about harsher ride, this X-1 we bought precisely because as a small cross-over this rides impeccably well, so much more than we ever anticipated, which is why we bought it! Keep it out of sport mode! Or not I use it for performance purposes, my spouse does not, the choice is ours to make. We looked at four door clubman, f-pace jags, MB slams & cs, none do what this car does especially for the price, none!

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  Great 2016 BMW X1 - 2016 BMW X1
  By w62vette - February 23 - 6:24 pm

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  Zippy new BMW X1 - 2016 BMW X1
  By Michele Mcdonough - November 9 - 2:06 pm

  Sporty, fun to drive X1. Roomy "trunk" area.

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  Awesome Ride - 2015 BMW X1
  By JC - August 23 - 3:45 pm

  I got this car trading in a 2013 Jetta Sportwagen TDI polluter and could not be happier, even though I took a beating on the trade in value, thanks to VWs fraudulent practices. Well see if they ever make it right, but, Im over it. This BMW is an incredible machine. It feels solid, looks fantastic outside, clean and elegant inside with wood trim and, most important, it is really, really fun to drive -- super responsive with a kick that will throw your head back in fourth gear, great acceleration from a dead stop, awesome handling, sweet engine sounds, just a beautiful little beast. Ive got a C7 Corvette, manual with sports package and this thing compares favorably in terms of driving dynamics. I mean, driving to work every morning is a treat, not a chore. My particular x1 is a loaded M Sport 35i -- dont think theres anything it hasnt got. Its real comfortable inside -- Im 61" and find the front seat roomy. The controls are easy to use and the infotainment system I like much better than the one on the Corvette -- shorter learning curve, more intuitive. I have no idea what the mileage is and dont care, really. Whatever they say it is, Im sure mine is much less because of the way I drive. I did try the eco-boost thing and it does improve mileage -- theres a little readout that tell you how much, but, when its on, the car doesnt drive like a BMW. I think its good for long highway trips when youre just going along at the speed limit for hours, but when youre actually driving the car, forget it. You dont buy a car like this to save on gas. For that, get a Prius. So, bottom line, I am totally sold on this car. I hate the fact that, for 2016, BMW ruined it, making it front wheel drive and sticking you with the smaller engine and the eight speed transmission, but, hey, I got the sweet spot, seems like and I will keep this car for a very long time. Update 8/3/17 Everything above is still true. Im always thinking about cars, but there is just no way I could sell this BMW. I took it for a road trip earlier this year and it was great on a long drive, comfortable and, for me, the absolutely perfect size. Looks like Im stuck with it. By the way, these cars are very hard to find. I friend of mine wants one just like it and we looked regionally and, tricked out like mine, didnt find one. Update 2/3/18 Same old story. Im buying an extended warranty to 100K on this baby. I keep looking at stuff and dont see anything that matches it, so, since Ive only got a two car garage, when I get to the place where I just cant resist the new car itch any longer, the C7 will have to go. I love it, but I love this BMR more. On the VW, I did finally get a few K from them. I still took a loss and will never even look at a VW again, but something is better than nothing, as the say.