2019 BMW X1 Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byCalvin KimVehicle Test EngineerCalvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.
What's new
Navigation with real-time traffic, one year of Apple CarPlay and remote services are now standardActive driver aids - such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning and high-beam assistant - are now standardPart of the second X1 generation introduced for 2016Luxury compact crossover SUVs are quite popular these days. It's easy to understand why: They're versatile, easy to park, roomy and relatively affordable. You don't typically get a whole lot of performance from this class, however. For the most part, they're pretty boring to drive. But there is an exception: the 2019 BMW X1.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$175/mo for X1 sDrive28i
X1 sDrive28i
sDrive28i 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,950 MSRPxDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $36,950 MSRP
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
The X1 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That's near the top in power for the segment. From a handling perspective, the X1 is closer to a sport sedan than its more sluggish competitors. Drivers who place handling as a priority can even option their X1 with an adjustable sport suspension.
This pint-size BMW is still plenty practical, too. With its rear seats up, it can hold 27.3 cubic feet worth of stuff, which is more than what you'll be able to fit in rivals such as the Audi Q3 or Mercedes-Benz GLA. The X1's 40/20/40-split folding rear seats provide added flexibility to carry a mix of people and cargo.
The main drawback is the X1's ride quality. BMW's focus on sporting potential has resulted in a somewhat firm ride. If you're the type of driver who prefers cruising down the road enjoying the scenery, the X1 may not be for you. Additionally, the X1 is like most other BMWs in that it can be difficult — and expensive — to get the exact combination of trim, package and stand-alone options you want.
Still, for the driver who wants handling, style and functionality, the 2019 BMW X1 is one of the few compact crossovers that can do it all.
Notably, we picked the 2019 BMW X1 as one of zzdcar' Best Luxury SUVs for this year.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
7.8 / 10
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the BMW X1 xDrive28i (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).
Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current vehicle has received some revisions, including standard navigation, smartphone connectivity and active driver aids. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's vehicle, however.
Scorecard
Overall | 7.8 / 10 |
Driving | 8.0 |
Comfort | 6.0 |
Interior | 9.0 |
Utility | 9.0 |
Driving
8.0The X1's driving dynamics are excellent. It is quicker to 60 mph than the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA 250, posts some of the shortest stopping distances in its class, and sets a high bar in handling prowess. Yet it is the ease of driving this compact SUV that leaves the deepest impression.
Acceleration
9.0Power delivery is smooth and refined during routine driving, and there's good punch under hard acceleration, too. The eight-speed automatic shifts quickly and helps the X1 accelerate to 60 mph in a class-leading 6.5 seconds.
Braking
8.0The brake pedal provides a smooth and progressive feel that is easy to manage in stop-and-go driving. In a simulated-panic stop from 60 mph, the X1 needed just 109 feet to stop, one of the best results in its segment.
Steering
8.0The steering requires a little more effort than some competitors, but not oppressively so. It is still easy to direct through low-speed maneuvers.
Handling
7.0The X1's all-wheel-drive system, rather than being a detriment, makes it feel more agile around corners. There's more grip than we expected from the all-season tires.
Drivability
9.0If you're looking to overtake a car suddenly, there's a slight delay between pressing the accelerator and starting the pass. In all other scenarios, for a compact luxury SUV, the X1 is as easy to drive as it gets.
Comfort
6.0Many will find the X1 offers suitable levels of comfort, though some may take exception to its higher noise levels and the firmness of its standard sport suspension. Although the interior noise is worth a mention, we'd add the X1 is no louder than others in the class.
Seat comfort
6.0The driver-seat bottom is hard and narrow and offers minimal lateral support. Its seatback has better bolstering. Despite its deficiencies, it remains reasonably comfortable on long drives. The rear seats are similarly shaped and cushioned.
Ride comfort
6.0The ride is firm, more so than the ride in other competitors. It can be harsh over road imperfections, and it doesn't tend to absorb them well. You might find the ride too busy and choppy over anything but smooth asphalt.
Noise & vibration
6.0The cabin is loud. Road and tire noise is prominent, while the engine note remains tucked quietly away. Some may find this unpleasant, yet this issue is shared across brands in this segment and can be considered the norm.
Climate control
Although the buttons are small, the dual-zone climate control system is easy to use. Leaving it on auto is the best thing to do since the controls for the diverter fan speed are finicky to use.
Interior
9.0The interior cargo area and ease of cabin access set the X1 apart from the pack. A smart use of underfloor compartments maximizes storage in the back, while the size of the door openings and seat placement make it easy to move in and out of the cabin.
Ease of use
9.0A highly adjustable driver's seat and steering column will suit a wide range of driving positions. The central display screen is well-positioned, and all climate and entertainment system controls are laid out clearly and logical to operate.
Getting in/getting out
9.0The X1 may offer the easiest entry of any vehicle in its class. Its combination of low door sills, taller seat bottom and mild side bolsters work together to simplify the process. Small doors help in parking spots but are somewhat heavy for their size.
Roominess
8.0The front seats offer a lot of adjustment for as much leg-, headroom and elbow room as you'll need to be comfortable. The rear-seat accommodations are also the largest in class, particularly in leg- and headroom, and are suitable for adults
Visibility
8.0A tall windshield and reasonably low hood promote good forward sight lines. The wide rear roof pillars limit over-the-shoulder visibility to a degree.
Quality
9.0Tight tolerances between panels, quality leather-wrapped seats and surfaces, and sleek-looking brushed-aluminum trim give the X1 the high-quality feel we've come to expect from BMW.
Utility
9.0The X1 sports impressive cargo capacity and a low liftover height. The cargo volume advantage is mainly due to the large underfloor storage where a spare tire might be otherwise. The 40/20/40-split second row folds flat.
Technology
The X1 has a broad depth of connectivity capability. Navigation, with over-the-air updates and traffic, is standard, as is the ability to integrate your car with Alexa, Echo and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay is also standard for a year. After that, it's subscription-based.
Which X1 does zzdcar recommend?
Unless you live deep in the snowbelt, the front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive28i should provide more than enough performance to satisfy most drivers. Make sure it comes with the Convenience and Premium packages to get keyless entry, heated seats, ambient lighting and power-folding mirrors.
2019 BMW X1 models
The 2019 BMW X1 comes in two main 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 packages that BMW calls tiers.
Powered by a peppy 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (228 horsepower, 258 pound-feet) and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the BMW X1 is an engaging small luxury crossover. With the xLine Design, the X1 comes standard with 18-inch wheels, foglights, automatic wipers and a power liftgate.
On the inside, the X1 comes with simulated leather upholstery, automatic climate control, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, push-button start, power-adjustable front seats and driver-seat memory functions. Tech features include BMW's iDrive infotainment system, a 6.5-inch central display, navigation, a USB port, Apple CarPlay with a one-year subscription, and a seven-speaker audio system.
Standard active safety systems offer forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam actuation, and speed limit display.
The available Convenience package adds folding mirrors, keyless access, a panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, auto-dimming mirrors, satellite radio, and adjustable front-seat lumbar support. A Luxury package includes upgraded leather and interior trim pieces.
The M Sport Design package combines the contents of those Convenience and Luxury packages. It also adds various visual and performance upgrades that include different 18-inch wheels, gloss-black exterior trim, special interior trim, a sport-tuned transmission and front sport seats.
All X1s can be equipped with a Premium package that includes LED headlights, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, a head-up display, and a full-featured navigation system displayed on a larger 8.8-inch screen.
Other options include a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, an active parking system, adaptive cruise control, in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging capability, and sliding and reclining rear-seat adjustability. M Sport Design cars can also swap out for stickier performance tires and an M Sport suspension that includes adaptive dampers.
2019 X1 Highlights
Trim: sDrive28ixDrive28isDrive28i
Base MSRP | $34,950 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $175/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 27.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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