BMW has rearranged the X1’s lineup for 2018 and now offers five distinct trims—base, Convenience, M Sport, Premium, and M Sport Premium—each with more features than the last. Only a few features are still offered as standalone options on non-Premium trims, including front and rear parking sensors ($800), LED headlamps ($950), Navigation ($950), and heated seats and steering wheel ($550). Some new features join the party for 2018; a backup camera is now standard, as is BMW’s ConnectedDrive in-car concierge service. Apple CarPlay is now optional ($300) as is onboard Wi-Fi with wireless device charging ($500). A new color—Sunset Orange Metallic—replaces Chestnut Bronze.
Pros Sweetheart engine and transmission, athletic chassis, capacious cargo hold.
Cons Unsupportive standard seats, slow infotainment system, subtle exterior styling.
The 2018 BMW X1 is a compelling crossover pick for a budget BMW buyer who can’t do without a roundel.
pros Subtle but good looks Responsive turbo-4 Good 8-speed automatic Relatively good value in base guise Spacious cargo area
Cons Options add up quickly Front seats aren’t the best seats Pricey advanced safety package No manual transmission?
The 2018 BMW X1 is a five-seat compact SUV in the luxury segment. It comes in two versions: the front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive28i and the all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive28i. From there, you have two directions to go: xLine Design or the sportier M Sport Design. After that, you can add various option groups that BMW calls tiers. The M Sport Design already comes with the Convenience group, which is optional on the xLine Design. Afterward, packages and stand-alone options are available based on which initial design and group you select.
PROS Strong and responsive turbo engine Sharp handling makes it fun to drive Plenty of rear passenger and cargo room High-quality materials and fit-and-finish
CONS Not particularly quiet on the highway Standard sport suspension may be jarring on rough roads
The 2018 Lincoln MKX ranked #17 in Luxury Midsize SUVs. Currently the Lincoln MKX has a score of 8.0 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 24 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Cushioned handling Light on the wallet for the class, heavy on features Top-tier crash test scores
Cons Below-average gas mileage
The 2018 Lincoln MKX has an athletic feel and a classy interior, but we wish that its most advanced safety tech was available at a lower price point.
Pros Robust V-6 engines Comfortable, upmarket interior Good infotainment system Rides and handles well Conservatively handsome looks
Cons Thirsty lineup lacks hybrid option Frustrating push-button shifter Advanced safety tech is costly Is Lincoln a true luxury brand?
The MKX is unchanged for the 2018 model year.Overall, we recommend the MKX's Select trim level. It's just above the base Premiere trim level and adds a few creature comforts. More important, it's the key to getting desirable options packages such as the Climate package and the Select Plus package
PROS Quiet interior with spacious rear seating Comfortable ride quality A lot of features for the money Strong turbocharged V6 engine option
CONS Interior quality isn't as high as that of many European rivals Thick roof pillars and a small rear window impair rear visibility
