The BMW X1 is all grown up.
The primary-generation automotive was a high-riding 3 Sequence Touring sporting rugged out of doors garments, and the second was a strong-selling (however barely underwhelming) tackle the Mini Countryman – the third is a extra rounded automotive.
Together with harder appears to be like on the surface, the brand new mannequin has a correctly up-to-date inside packing sufficient area for a younger household… and the choice of a range-topping, Mercedes-AMG GLA 35-bothering M35i efficiency mannequin.
It actually appears to be like extra grown up from the surface. With chunky proportions, huge wheels, outsized quad pipes, and its silky, satin matte paint, that is an attention-grabbing SUV in individual – and that’s earlier than you catch sight of the red-and-black inside end.
All that presence doesn’t come low-cost, nonetheless. With a sticker north of $90,000 earlier than on-road prices (and choices), the brand new range-topping X1 additionally carries a reasonably critical price ticket.
We put it by means of its paces on a 1000km highway journey to see if it’s definitely worth the spend.
How does the BMW X1 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the BMW X1 in opposition to equally sized autos.
BMW
X1
How a lot does the BMW X1 price?
With a sticker worth of $90,900 earlier than on-road prices, that is comfortably the costliest X1 ever.
It’s a whopping $17,500 dearer than the xDrive20i M Sport sitting under it within the vary, though it’s additionally a extra generously outfitted and extra highly effective tackle the system.
2024 BMW X1 pricing
2024 BMW X1 sDrive18i xLine: $60,4002024 BMW X1 xDrive20i xLine: $70,4002024 BMW X1 xDrive20i M Sport: $73,4002024 BMW X1 M35i xDrive: $90,900
All costs exclude on-road prices
To see how the BMW X1 stacks up alongside its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
What’s the BMW X1 like on the within?
The broader X1 vary was given an enormous improve for 2023, with a screen-heavy overhaul that drags it into line with its German rivals.
The M35i ups the ante additional with a particular orangey-red and black color scheme, a fats M steering wheel with a pink 12 o’clock marker, and a smattering of M motifs. It’s a reasonably good-looking beast, and is much better rounded and thought out than the marginally undercooked cabin of the final compact BMW M Sport SUV, the X2.
The curved dual-screen dashboard is a shrunken tackle what’s on supply within the flagship iX SUV and the newest 3 Sequence, working the flashy new Android-based BMW iDrive 9 software program.
There’s no rotary iDrive dial anymore, with all the foremost controls as a substitute housed within the touchscreen.
The digital sprint particularly is a large enchancment over the analogue setup within the final X1 and the ten.7-inch central display screen is crystal clear, with a few of the nicest graphics on the market. BMW has poured some critical effort and time into making all of the transitions, backgrounds, and menus appear and feel extremely polished.
It’s a little bit of a attain to get to the display screen, and passengers may battle to prod the shortcut buttons sitting on the right-hand aspect of the central show. It’s a disgrace BMW has moved away from bodily local weather controls, too.
At the least you possibly can activate the heated seats with out diving by means of menus on this automotive, and the foolish subscription-activated choices debuted on the bottom X1 have been booted. Seems folks simply need to purchase a automotive, relatively than turning options on and off.
The seats on this M35i are pretty. They appear particular, with built-in headrests and light-up M logos of their backrests, they usually supply correct big-car consolation on lengthy hauls. At six-seven it was simple for me to get snug, with loads of under-thigh assist particularly for round 12 hours on the highway traipsing between two nation weddings.
Though it’s fairly an enormous automotive now, with dimensions knocking on the door of the first-generation X3, it doesn’t really feel huge as you look out over the sculpted bonnet, which is consistent with the M35i’s pitch as an overgrown sizzling hatch.
BMW had made enormous strides in various key areas up entrance relative to the mannequin that got here earlier than. Not solely does the floating central tunnel look dramatic, it frees up rather more usable cupboard space than was beforehand on supply.
The wi-fi cellphone charger now has area for a contemporary iPhone, and the underarm bin has room for wallets and keys now. There’s additionally an open place the place the transmission tunnel used to sit down, though it’s not splendid for those who truly need to disguise your valuables away when the automotive is locked.
It will also be laborious to achieve snacks wedged between the seats from the motive force’s seat, with the chubby (and electrically adjustable) seat bolsters getting in the best way.
For probably the most half, the supplies on the locations you contact really feel high-quality – the sprint, doorways, and central tunnel are good, the decrease sprint and door pockets much less so – and it appears to be like correctly trendy.
Relatively than a dressed-up Mini, it looks like a correct BMW SUV. However a few of the issues we let the X1 get away with within the base mannequin don’t actually fly in a $90k tackle the system.
It’s apparent prices have been lower in a couple of locations, from the hinge of the central bin (tailor-made for left-hand drive, which makes it awkward for the motive force) to the marginally wobbly door grabs.
Rear seat area is superb for the category. Relatively than a dingy hatchback on stilts, the tall home windows and excessive roofline make this really feel like a correct SUV again there. Susceptible to offering too little info, my normal-height girlfriend spent six hours again there sitting behind one other normal-height grownup and described it as “wonderful, cherished it, no complaints”.
Air vents and USB-C ports characteristic again there, and the bench slides to permit legroom or boot area to be prioritised relying on what you’re doing.
In case you are carrying youngsters, the doorways open good and extensive to make loading them right into a automotive seat simpler than earlier than. Adults climbing out of there can even recognize that change.
Boot area is a formidable 540 litres on paper, increasing to 1600 litres with the 40/20/40 second row folded flat. That first determine is sort of on a par with what you get in an X3, however in observe the X1 doesn’t have the identical quantity of usable area.
That isn’t an enormous concern – it has a boot greater than what’s supplied by a Q3 or GLA, with a low ground and broad opening – however a bit of that quoted area is beneath the flip-up ground, that means in observe it’s nonetheless a dimension class under the X3.
It simply took all the baggage required for 3 folks attending a marriage, and also you’ll get a set of golf golf equipment in with out an excessive amount of stress.
What’s below the bonnet?
That is probably the most highly effective BMW X1 but; the previous-generation mannequin wasn’t supplied in M35i guise.
Its outputs are actually up there with what we’ve come to count on from the Volkswagen Golf (and T-Roc) R, together with the range-topping Cupra Formentor VZx.
The dearer Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 packs 8kW much less, and has the identical quantity of torque.
To see how the BMW X1 stacks up alongside its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
How does the BMW X1 drive?
Prod the neatly built-in begin button, and the X1 bursts to life with a flare of revs. It’s a touch of fanfare in a automotive that, for those who weren’t attempting, hides its efficiency behind a reasonably spectacular veneer of refinement.
With the BMW IconicSounds faux exhaust sound system turned off there’s a delicate growl to the engine; flip it on and there’s a synthesised bark that feels extra consistent with the M Sport branding. We’re properly previous the period of BMWs needing to sound like sonorous inline-sixes.
My overriding reminiscence of the X2 M35i was how awkward it was at low speeds. The beginning/cease system was jerky, the transmission was indecisive in visitors, and the two.0-litre engine had far more lag than was acceptable.
This new one is an altogether extra polished beast. At low speeds the beginning/cease is far smoother than earlier than, and the best way it shifts on medium or heavy throttle is far more refined than the clunky unit in its predecessor.
Regardless of the M Sport badging and aggressive exterior, that is a straightforward automotive to drive on the town. Visibility is refreshingly good over-the-shoulder because of the sensible glasshouse, and the steering is mild sufficient to park with a pinky in Consolation mode.
You do discover some tugging from the wheel over cambered roads, little doubt as a result of stickier and wider Continental sports activities tyres that include the M35i, nevertheless it’s not insufferable. The final X1 felt like a Mini or 1 Sequence dressed as much as appear and feel like an even bigger BMW SUV, whereas the brand new one carries itself extra like a shrunken X3.
That carries over to the freeway. With 400Nm on faucet between 2000 and 4000rpm, it squirts from 60km/h to 110km/h in an actual hurry in your manner out of nation cities, and overtakes on single-lane divided roads fly by after a touch of hesitation from the dual-clutch transmission on kick down.
Until you have been actually listening for it, you wouldn’t concentrate on the efficiency lurking inside.
The engine is ticking over at above 2000rpm at 110km/h, nevertheless it’s silent at a cruise with no trace of vibration or buzzing by means of the steering wheel. A number of passengers requested if the X1 was electrical on the freeway, which speaks to how refined the powertrain is.
Trip high quality can be wonderful, given this can be a small, sporty SUV on huge wheels. It doesn’t crash and bash over huge potholes, and though there’s a way its mass is tightly managed it doesn’t have your head rocking and rolling round.
What isn’t splendid is the noise suppression, which places the Mercedes-AMG GLA within the shade… however remains to be in the end a weak level on pitted Australian nation highways. There’s minimal wind noise, however these tyres transmit loads of static-ish noise into the cabin at 110km/h.
You may crank up the (wonderful) Harman Kardon sound system to drown it out, nevertheless it’s a nod to the very fact that is in the end constructed on a city-oriented platform rather than the dearer rear-wheel drive setup within the X3.
The energetic driver assists within the automotive are distinctive. The adaptive cruise management by no means acts up (though it’s nonetheless a ache to vary the next distance by means of the display screen, which is one thing I do recurrently in most vehicles), and the steering help was so delicate I didn’t realise it was energetic till it was turned off.
They do precisely what you truly need of a driver help, making life simpler for drivers with out taking on their roles completely.
BMW has clearly made strides with its all-wheel drive system if you’re in a rush. Relatively than feeling like a front-wheel drive automotive with a rear driveshaft alongside for the journey as was beforehand the case, the best way the torque is actively cut up between the entrance and rear axle makes the brand new X1 really feel a lot livelier than earlier than.
It’s critically sticky, with a entrance finish that goes the place you need it to if you muscle the chunky M Sport steering wheel round, and wonderful physique management in Sport mode. It actually hangs on within the moist, with the kind of all-weather efficiency we’ve come to count on from all-wheel drive Volkswagen R merchandise.
What do you get?
The brand new BMW X1 is a extra generously outfitted automobile than these earlier than it.
X1 sDrive18i highlights:
18-inch alloy wheelsAdaptive LED headlightsPower tailgateKeyless entry and start10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system10.25-inch digital instrument clusterSatellite navigation with augmented actuality viewWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoBMW Dwell Cockpit ProfessionalParking Assistant PlusReversing AssistantConnected Bundle ProfessionalDrive RecorderMirror Bundle with anti-dazzle and auto-dipping functionsHead-up displaySensatec leatherette upholsterySensatec-wrapped instrument panelFront sports activities seatsLeather-wrapped steering wheelDual-zone local weather controlAutomatic headlightsRain-sensing wipers4 x USB-C ports2 x 12V energy shops
X1 xDrive20i provides:
19-inch alloy wheelsHeated entrance seatsPower entrance seatsDriving Assistant Skilled with Steering and Lane Management Assistant
X1 M35i xDrive provides:
20-inch M mild alloy wheels (Y-spoke type)M Sport brakes with blue high-gloss calipersHigh-gloss black roof railsFour exhaust outletsComfort AccessDigital Key PlusPanoramic glass sunroof12-speaker Harman Kardon sound systemM leather-based steering wheelPaddle shiftersFront sports activities seats
Is the BMW X1 protected?
The BMW X1 has a five-star ANCAP security ranking with a 2022 date stamp, primarily based on testing performed by Euro NCAP.
It obtained 86 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 76 per cent for susceptible highway consumer safety, and 94 per cent for security help.
Normal security gear contains:
AEB incl. Pedestrian, Bike owner detectionBlind-spot monitoringLane-keep assistRear cross-traffic alertSafe exit warningTraffic signal recognitionAdaptive cruise management with cease/goSurround-view cameraFront, rear parking sensors
How a lot does the BMW X1 price to run?
BMW presents a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.
Upkeep is required each 12 months or 20,000 kilometres within the X1, and a five-year ‘Fundamental’ service plan will set you again $1800 if bought upfront.
CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW X1
It is a actually well-rounded efficiency SUV that enhance on the errors made by its predecessors.
The primary small BMW efficiency crossover was the X2 M35i. It felt cobbled collectively, mixing an ungainly engine and transmission with a clunky four-wheel drive system, and the inside was miles off the tempo.
In relation to efficiency, the brand new X1 rights these wrongs. It feels muscular if you put your foot down, with a smoother and smarter dual-clutch transmission (that also lags barely behind one of the best from Volkswagen) than earlier than, and a extra refined four-wheel drive system.
A well-driven X1 M35i shapes as a reasonably potent wet-weather weapon. Past the efficiency side, this can be a rather more grown up beast than earlier than. It rides properly sufficient to be correctly usable on lengthy journeys, the cabin is worthy of the worth (or near it), and it’s match for household life in methods its predecessor simply wasn’t.
I prefer it, and I’d very fortunately stay with it day-after-day.
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