Overview & Reviews

The 2015 BMW X1 carries over unchanged.

• Good fuel economy.
• Quick acceleration
• Strong engines
• Sport sedan-like handling

• Cramped backseat
• Automatic stop-start system is intrusive.
• Small cargo capacity

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 13.00

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  Underwhelmed....ho...hum. - 2015 BMW X1
  By MK Ide - October 25 - 2:06 pm

  Sure, its got sporty get-up-and-go and handling, but that is where the over-achievement ends. Otherwise, its just "OK" as far as luxury brand vehicles go. A quick list of the less-than-optimal "features": -windows VERY quick to fog up when heat is on -limited back-seat leg-room -HD radio degraded within 1st year -initially very quiet and within 6 months became significantly louder -computer system frequently alerting (then not alerting) that all 4 tires were either low and/or flat and then not alerting on this -computer system frequently alerting that radiator fluid was needed (within months of purchasing car and after adding fluid) and then not alerting on this

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  Not happy - 2015 BMW X1
  By Jim Smith - September 6 - 4:46 pm

  Number of things that bother me. 1. front door handles will pinch the fire out of your fingers if you are not careful. 2. after 600 miles the car only gets 18.2 mpg in Dallas traffic. 8 miles below what they say it should get. 3. not much of a pickup 4. wheel base porpoises a lot.

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  Sport Hatchback that BMW doent technically make - 2015 BMW X1
  By Craig - August 18 - 5:08 pm

  I know that everyone is jumping in the small crossover SUV pool but the X-1 (in my opinion) doesnt really strike me as an SUV. What it strikes me as is a 3 Series of 2 generations ago, re-imagined as a sport hatchback. Ive had mine for a couple months and I really couldnt be happier with my decision. Mine is loaded: Ultimate package, X-Line package, Adaptive Xenon Lighting package, Cold-weather package, etc. but I bought it as a dealer demo with 6,800 miles on it so it was about $8,000 or so below sticker. We are empty-nesters and my wife has a Ford Explorer so I really could have gotten by with a smaller sport sedan or even a coupe (I test drove both). However, I am a cyclist and backpacker so having a bit more utility in the vehicle I drive every day kind of put the X-1 over the top for me. Plus the price was lower than a 3 series or a 228i AND I really dont feel like I gave up much in the way of driving dynamics. With 240hp and 260 lb/ft of torque, there is simply gobs of power on tap in this 3,500 lb car. I got the rwd version (we dont get much snow if any) so it handles like a true German sports sedan. Its shorter (nose-to-tail), narrower and lighter than the 3 Series wagon and its like 9 inches shorter (in height) than the X3 so it really is more of a hatchback than a wagon or SUV. I also like that it has 7" of ground clearance: not enough to introduce too much lean in the corners, but enough to not have to worry about hitting curbs and parking barriers in parking lots. Its a very nice touring car on your favorite 2 lane hwy (or even the interstate) and it scoots around town or back roads as zippy as you want to. It has plenty of headroom in front and back. Negatives? Leg room in the back is a bit tight for adults, only 2 will comfortably ride in the back (due to the transmission tunnel), and theres a bit too much wind and road noise on the interstate for a BMW (in my opinion--having owned BMWs before). All of that I can live with because the virtues of this car far outweigh the negatives.

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  Goldilocks Size, Gold Bullion Price - 2015 BMW X1
  By theomdude - April 14 - 1:13 am

  A base model is, affordable by BMW standards, but to get the rear-view camera, you have to buy the costly nav and "driver assist" packages. The best interior (IMO) is the extra cost Terra/Petrol leather (Milk chocolate with white/blue piping) which only comes with the extra cost XLine Package that includes 18 inch lower profile (harsher riding and more expensive to replace) tires. Not really for a large family of large people, but for our purposes, occasionally carrying four normal size adults, its perfect. All that said, we stretched our budget for a well optioned car with a sticker of $43,245 and we love it.

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  Satisfied not amazed - 2015 BMW X1
  By ozarksf6 - March 14 - 11:01 pm

  After 2000 miles in good and bad weather, I would say Im satisfied but not amazed with the X1. This SAV is responsive and handles well. I was impressed with the stability in snow and ice. My disappointment is mostly with the base bluetooth interface. Old technology and not what should be standard on a premium vehicle. Like the transmission, hate the shifter. Is it a great value? Is it the best vehicle of its type? Perhaps not. It is my 5th BMW and 2nd currently owned. (Z4) something keeps bringing me back. If not the ultimate driving machine, its a drivers vehicle and you dont get that from a subaru. Enough said.

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  fun exciting peppy little cuv - very pleased. - 2015 BMW X1
  By raj1 - February 14 - 1:49 pm

  Very cool good looking high build quality vehicle with peppy engine and precise steering with good road feel but still highly comfortable and luxurious. If you are not looking for a big vehicle, then this is definitely the one to get since it is more practical than a sedan like 3-series, but with all its fun. It is not cheap as some people suggest - if you add up all the options that are standard on 3-series, it gets more expensive than a 3-series. So in that sense it is better since the options are just that - optional.

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  quick and nimble with no cost maintenance. sign me up. - 2015 BMW X1
  By jjedmunds - September 29 - 1:31 am

  i have now 13k miles on my X1. i got the 4 cylinder but it is very quick with 250lb torque. steering is precise and after 13k miles there is no problem and tires and brakes are fine. person wrote brakes gave out after 1,000 miles? he must be a cadillac dealer. there is no way they give out and if they did BMW replaces them. the start stop feature saves gas but its optional to use. i turn it off mostly so i can have more fun but it is optional, so its not an issue. the back seat is small. the cargo is small. it is not an SUV. its a cross over.

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  Great AWD wagon - 2015 BMW X1
  By JD - December 23 - 3:07 am

  I love my 2015 X1, and more so after driving a 2016. The 2015 X1 has a unique style and look that maintained classic BMW driver focused interior and handling. The Valencia orange makes the curves on the exterior pop. She handles beautifully and has been very dependable. The new X1 interior drives me nuts! Its cheesy! The 2015 is sleek and serious compared to the weird seat and dash configuration in the newer models. The 2015 knows what its about and the 2016 is confused by trying to satisfy all the criticisms of the ignorant American car critics!

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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.

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  My $600 phone is easy to use $39,000 car is not - 2015 BMW X1
  By bdmccarthy - May 25 - 4:54 am

  The car handles well and really shines on a 2 lane highway. Lags between 0-5 mph which is mildly annoying but otherwise is OK. I like the gas mileage and it is comfortable in the drivers seat. The problems: 1. Navigation - slow to acquire satellites and then 5 minutes later will alter your route based on traffic, this is sometimes too late to take a better route. My phone is much better. Also, if you decide to go a different route the system will keep trying to reroute you back to the original rather than recalculating. Once I went 70 miles and passed into the upper in Michigan before it recalculated. I was recently sent a notice that I could upgrade to current maps for $59 annually. This is pretty funny. 2. The bluetooth phone works OK, but it takes a minute or two to reload the phonebook from my phone each time. Why? Again my phone is better. At least the car bluetooth will pick up the call after I have made it on my phone. 3. Hands free control - you can speak controls but you have to know the exact sequence of words, for example for an address, you cant easily search for anything else, this is not really useful. Bottom line is that BMW should hire some Samsung or Apple engineers. Not sure I would buy again but would consider if they caught up with Fords on technology front.