The 2023 BMW X1 xDrive 28i Is a Pleasantly Surprising Baby Crossover
Usually these sorts of cars sacrifice practicality for style. Not so with the X1.
Believe it or not, the BMW X1 is brand-new for 2023. The compact crossover has entered its third generation, and like its predecessor, is based around the same front-wheel drive, transverse-engine architecture as various Mini models. That might make it anathema for BMW traditionalists, but this car was never for them. Really it's an entrance point to the BMW brand.
This is the most affordable BMW SUV out there, with a base price of just over $40,000. For the U.S. market, there's only one powertrain option, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 241 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.
All in all, it's a nice little car, providing a step above similar offerings from non-luxury brands and offering some of the excellent dynamics BMW is known for.
Pros
- Relatively affordable pricing.
- Great infotainment system.
- Practical.
- Efficient, punchy engine.
- Well-tuned ride.
Exterior
Just about everyone, R&T included, criticizes BMW design often, but credit where it's due, the X1 is a handsome small crossover. It looks chunky and muscular, almost like a downsized X5. BMW offers the "xLine package" with a more off-road look, as seen here, and an M-Sport package to give it a more sporty vibe. Whatever you do, make sure you order an X1 in this color, San Remo green.
Interior
BMW has long been a leader in interior quality and usability. It's not super fancy in style, like a Mercedes GLA's, but the X1's cabin has a lot more substance. Materials feel like they justify the price, and all the controls are easy to use. I just wish BMW hadn't gotten rid of physical climate controls. The temperature is always displayed at the bottom of the screen, but using a knob or a rocker switch is easier than trying to use the touchscreen while driving.
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes
BMW offers the X1 with a selection of 18-, 19-, and 20-inch alloy wheels, with summer performance tires available on the M-Sport car. This one came with 19s wrapped in Continentals all seasons. Brakes are discs with single-piston floating calipers at each corner. They work as expected
Front Seats
Our tester came with optional sport seats. They support you in all the right places, though both seat heating and lumbar support are both optional. That's a little stingy, even for an entry-level BMW.
Engine and Transmission
Whereas most new BMWs use an eight-speed automatic, the X1 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch, owing to its shared platform with various Mini models. Oftentimes, a dual-clutch can add an extra sporty edge to a car, but here, it doesn't. It's a little slow to downshift, unless you put the car in "L," for low, and off-the-line, it's very clumsy, leading to slow getaways. It's a shame because BMW's automatics are perfectly smooth in operation; this transmission always feels underfoot.
Thankfully, the engine's quite a bit better. It's the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder used throughout BMW's lineup, and it's smooth and torquey, with minimal turbo lag. The auto stop-start system is clunky, though, and to shut it off, there's no dedicated button. You have to go two menus deep to deactivate the system, and you'll have to do this every single time you turn off the car.
Steering
To no one's surprise, the X1's steering isn't super feelsome, but the weighting is nice and accurate. It's the sort of steering you don't think about too much, for better or for worse. The wheel itself isn't quite as thick as the meaty things you get in M-Sport and full-on BMW M cars, which is a good thing. This is just more comfortable.
Gauge Cluster
As standard, you get a full-digital gauge cluster, which can be configured via controls on the steering wheel. The speedometer and tachometer are rendered vertically, which allows for information to be displayed between the two. A notable new feature is mapping from your phone. If you use Apple Maps in Apple CarPlay or Google Maps in Android Auto, the navigation can be displayed in the center of the instrument cluster.
Infotainment
While I'm annoyed that BMW got rid of its center-console control-wheel here, this latest version of iDrive is very easy to use, with a super-responsive touch screen and very straightforward menu structure. BMW's voice commands, activated by saying, "Hey BMW," are among the best in the business. Naturally, there's also wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. All of this is beautifully rendered on a large central screen.
Dashboard and Center Console
There's not a ton of center-console storage here, but instead, you get a deep well for placing large bags. The shifter is a small switch that's easy to use, and there are shortcut keys that pull up various driving-related menus in the infotainment, plus a volume knob.
Ride and Handling
Ultimate driving machine? I'm not sure. This isn't a thrill-a-minute car, but then again, it's not supposed to be. The people who buy this are not the same dorks who wax lyrical about E30s—they just want a comfortable, easy car and the X1 delivers. Special mention goes to the chassis tuning, though, which is spot-on. I took this car on the Belt Parkway, one of the gnarliest roads in New York City, with all sorts of lumps, bumps, and crests in the outer lane. The X1 soaked all of it up with no trouble whatsoever. It's not floaty, just extremely well controlled, with excellent damping. That BMW magic hasn't gone away.
Fuel Economy
BMWs typically put up great fuel-economy numbers relative to their class, and the X1 is no exception, with an EPA-rated 25/34 mpg city/highway and 28 mpg overall. Not bad for a tall car with reasonably spritely performance, though we should note it requires premium gas.
Trunk Space
With 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, the X1 has a good bit more trunk space than its rivals from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. I've always struggled with these sorts of extra-small SUVs—too often they're so small, they're not all that practical, but the X1 is the exception. Its footprint is relatively small, but in terms of usability, there isn't a huge sacrifice here. This makes it a great option for city-dwellers.
Pricing
Other than the 2-Series, the BMW X1 is the most affordable car sold by the Bavarian brand. Notably, it's also the cheapest all-wheel drive BMW, and it offers a lot of what makes the brand great. Naturally for a German car, it's easy to add to the $40,095 base price, but still, it costs a little under $48,000 fully loaded. And while most baby crossovers don't offer much practicality for the price, the X1 does. It's a pleasantly surprising car, and a great option for those looking for a sensible way into the BMW brand.
A car enthusiast since childhood, Chris Perkins is Road & Track's engineering nerd and Porsche apologist. He joined the staff in 2016 and no one has figured out a way to fire him since. He street-parks a Porsche Boxster in Brooklyn, New York, much to the horror of everyone who sees the car, not least the author himself. He also insists he's not a convertible person, despite owning three.
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