BMW has made very few changes to the X1 for 2021: SiriusXM satellite radio is now standard, and LED fog lamps are no longer part of the optional Convenience or Premium packages. Also, BMW won't let customers order the sports seats as a standalone option anymore. You have to select the M Sport pack if you want them.
Pros Peppy turbo four, crisp handling, practical interior.
Cons Unsupportive standard front seats, aging infotainment interface, bland styling.
The 2021 BMW X1 is an appealing crossover with hatchback moves, but keep a lid on options for the better value.
Pros Turbocharged punch Nimble around-town handling Good transmission Comfy front seats Reasonably large cargo area
Cons Stodgy vs. expressive rivals Rear-seat leg room Infotainment’s clunky controller Chintzy interior bits Can get expensive
The 2021 BMW X1's #1 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Subcompact SUVs category. Currently the BMW X1 has a score of 8.4 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 34 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Sporty handling Potent engine Intuitive infotainment system Large cargo hold
Cons Firm ride Some low-rent cabin materials
By going transverse-engined the X1 has become technically less distinctive, but more useful in the real world.This is the second-generation BMW X1. The smallest BMW SUV. And this time around there’s been a big change. It’s based not on the natively rear-drive platform of the last one, but on the same front-drive/4WD setup as the 2 Series Active Tourer MPV, Mini Countryman and so-on.
Pros Performance, chassis and space, much-improved style
Cons Not cheap, interior a bit old-feeling, slightly brittle ride
"The BMW X1 is an economical, practical and good-to-drive compact SUV that’s better-looking than the model it replaced"There are two petrol engines to choose from, a 138bhp three-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine is offered in the front-wheel drive X1 sDrive18i, while the sDrive20i sits on the next rung of the ladder with a 2.0-litre, 189bhp engine, and the four-wheel drive xDrive20i sits above that. The latter is a quick car, reaching 62mph from rest in just over seven seconds, although its fuel economy can't match the less expensive model.
PROS Very good to drive Cheap to run Practical
CONS Expensive to buy Baffling list of optional extras Basic model is two-wheel-drive only
The BMW X1 is a fun-to-drive and well-built alternative to the likes of the Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3.
Pros Enjoyable to drive High-quality interior Decent cabin space
Cons A little noisy at speed Limited smartphone mirroring Alternatives have bigger boots