2024 BMW X1

The 2024 BMW X1 is a two-row subcompact SUV that can seat up to five people. It’s meant for drivers who want a small SUV that’s relatively spacious or commuters who need a nimble SUV with sporty performance. While the X1 is classified as a subcompact SUV, it has a roomy cabin with two rows of spacious seats and a large cargo area with up to 57.2 cubic feet of space. And while it may be BMW’s smallest SUV, it has peppy turbocharged engines and features athletic handling that make it one of the sportier options in the segment. An upscale interior and advanced tech features also help the X1 stand out in the class.

The X1 separates itself from the pack with its peppy turbocharged engines, athletic handling, high-tech features, premium interior design, and relatively spacious cabin. Keep in mind, though, it trails key rivals when it comes to transmission refinement, engine performance with its base engine, and its engine stop-start system. The X1’s available seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission can be slow to downshift, while the engine’s stop-start system tends to operate roughly at times. BMW also sells the X1 with a standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 241 horsepower, which is underpowered for a base engine.

BMW X1 Changes for 2024

• New M35i xDrive trim.

Where the X1 Sits in the 2024 BMW Lineup

BMW’s vehicle lineup includes electric cars, SUVs, and cars such as the 2-Series. The X1 is the smallest SUV in BMW’s lineup, sitting below the X2, X3, X3 M, X4, X4 M, X5, X5 M, X6, X6 M, X7, iX, and XM.

2024 BMW X1 vs. the Competition

A subcompact luxury SUV such as the X1 is an ideal choice for shoppers who want a small SUV that has spacious seats, is enjoyable to drive, and is available with high-tech features. The X1 competes with these rivals:

• Jaguar E-Pace: Athletic handling, upscale exterior design, standard 246-horsepower turbo-4 engine, and well-equipped with advanced tech features.

• Audi Q3: Balanced ride, packed with standard tech features, upscale interior, good fuel economy figures, and a high-end interior.

• Volvo XC40: Distinctive exterior styling, long list of standard features, fuel-efficient engines, tows up to 3,500 pounds, and 57.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

What’s the Best 2024 BMW X1 Trim for You?

Which Trim Is the Best Value

With standard features such as synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.7-inch touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, the xDrive28i is well-equipped with modern features. Its list of standard equipment also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, seven audio speakers, power-adjustable front seats, ambient interior lighting, a power liftgate, and 18-inch wheels.

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Best Trim for Fuel Economy

The xDrive28i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 241 horsepower, AWD, and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The model can get up to 28 mpg combined in this configuration.

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Best Trim for Cargo Space

The X1 has up to 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat and a total of 57.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the backseat folded.

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Best Trim for Off-Roaders

The X1 isn’t meant to go off-roading. It does have standard AWD, but the system is meant to provide drivers with more grip around corners and in inclement weather.

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Top-of-the-Line Trim

The range topping M35i xDrive is the best option for maximum luxury and performance. It has a 312-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, upgraded brakes, adaptive headlights, a wireless charging pad, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 10.7-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity, a power liftgate, power-adjustable front seats, and navigation.

Find a New BMW X1 Near You | Find a Used BMW X1 M35i xDrive Near You

Should I Buy an Older BMW X1 Instead?

The X1 is in its third generation, which was introduced with the 2023 model. Any older third-generation model (2023-2024) will be broadly similar to the 2024 X1. You could therefore save money by purchasing a used X1 that’s older than the 2024 model.

You can find a used BMW X1 with Carfax used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the X1 from other model years

BMW X1 Hands-On Test Drive

Driven by Patrick Olsen

• Trim Tested: X1 M35i

• Price as Tested: $58,795 (including destination charge)

The X1 is BMW’s smallest SUV, and it has some surprises inside. First, it has a cockpit that’s way roomier than it looks, and bigger inside than many of its competitors. Second, it has three driving modes that are really three different personalities. We drove one for a week and these are our impressions.

How It Drives & Handles

Those three different driving modes – Personal, Sport, and Efficient – give X1 M35i drivers a choice: Which personality will I be today? The only downside to this is that the driver’s choice of mode is not persistent; they’ll have to choose anything other than the default Personal every time they start up again.

Personal: This is the default mode, and we didn’t tweak it at all. In this mode, the 312-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered a blast of power, but only after a brief pause. That’s caused by the turbo taking a moment to spin up to produce power. The practical effect is that the SUV starts out slowly, and then there’s a huge surge of power. For the uninitiated (or a driver unfamiliar with turbo behavior), it wouldn’t be hard to lose some sense of control in that burst of energy. At high speeds, though, power gets delivered immediately.

Sport: This was our favorite driving mode as it gives the X1 M35i a boost of adrenaline. The turbo lag is much reduced, and the overall driving experience is way more fun. The exhaust note – the sound that passengers hear when the driver accelerates – is slightly louder in this mode, but it builds enthusiasm.

Efficient: Although this was our least favorite way to drive, it was by far the most civilized. Even when we pressed down on the accelerator, it took a while for the X1 M35i to really respond. It provided a smoother, more prosaic driving experience overall.

The X1 has a pretty aggressive stop/start system that can be great for fuel economy but, added to the turbo lag, created more frustration for us. Unlike some other BMW models, we couldn’t find an easy way to turn it off.

BMW takes care of handling in the X1 M35i as it does most of its vehicles. This mini-SUV clings to the road, making taking curves easy, even at higher speeds; there’s little body lean to make the driver lose confidence. The steering feels precise – and most so in Sport mode – and nicely weighted. And this SUV is so small that parking is a breeze.

Comfort, Quality & Usability

Sometimes we fear getting into sedans and small SUVs because the driver’s door opening can be narrow, making it quite the negotiation to get around the steering wheel, over the door lip and into the seat. Not the case with the X1. BMW has made the center armrest nice and narrow, so our knees weren’t being rubbed raw on both sides.

The front seats are bolstered, as is common in many sports cars and SUVs, and this made them uncomfortable for my larger size. Smaller (read thinner) drivers and passengers might not feel the same way. The X1 M35i we drove also came with memory seats that are perfect for a couple that has a 14-inch difference in height.

The X1 comes with both wireless Apple CarPlay as well as wireless smartphone charging, also known as Qi charging. It’s a worthwhile goal to have – who doesn’t want to get rid of messy wires in the cockpit of their car? But the connection wasn’t seamless. In particular, the wireless CarPlay kept dropping out for a second or two at a time, making listening to music awkward, if not downright aggravating. The bigger issue though was when it lost the connection entirely while I was talking to my doctor’s office. It was a telling reminder of why technology needs to work all of the time.

On the plus side, though, was the wireless charger. One of the most common issues with wireless chargers is keeping the phone in place to keep it charging. In many cars, the smartphone will slide around, meaning that it only charges some of the time, and often, doesn’t charge at all. In the X1, there’s a retention bar not unlike what passengers would experience when riding a roller coaster. Pull the bar forward, slide the phone behind it, push the bar back, and voila! The phone is secured in place for the duration of the trip. Neat solution, and one that more automakers ought to take up.

Editor’s Note: Review is based on test driving the 2024 model.

Carfax vehicle reviews let shoppers compare a vehicle’s specs against its competitors’. However, some aspects of a vehicle – performance, comfort, usability – can only be evaluated through actual driving. That’s why we evaluate as many vehicles as we can, so you’ll know what to expect.

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