2023 BMW X1

　　

2023 BMW X1 Review

byBrent RomansSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　, rating written byBrent RomansSenior Reviews Editor

　　Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining zzdcar as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.

　　BMW has redesigned its entry-level SUV, the X1, for 2023. The front and rear are restyled, with new L-shaped blades at each corner. It's much more handsome than its slightly bland predecessor and one of the better BMW designs we've seen of late. The new X1 is also longer, taller and wider than before, with nearly a full inch more between the front and rear wheels. This provides a little more cargo space and enhances what was one already of the most spacious SUVs in its class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW X1 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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

　　$163/mo  for X1 xDrive28i

　　X1 xDrive28i

　　xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $38,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　BMW's latest interior design ethos is also on full display in the new X1. You get a singular glass enclosure for the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.7-inch touchscreen, with the latter angled toward the driver. The center stack is also cleaned up, so there aren't several tiers of climate controls and preset buttons. Instead, these functions are all contained within menus and submenus of the infotainment system. We've seen this system in recent BMW models like the all-electric iX and flagship 7 Series sedan.

　　Also of note is that — unlike the iX and 7 Series — the X1 no longer has an iDrive controller knob. This has been a BMW infotainment staple for more than 20 years, but its removal in the new X1 means you have to use the touchscreen or robust voice controls to access the system's features and settings. The system is responsive and packs a lot of features, but the menu system can feel cumbersome to navigate and requires taking your eyes off the road for longer than we'd prefer. BMW suggests using voice commands, and while they do work well, it feels like a crutch for a somewhat flawed design. Removing the iDrive controller does open up the center console, so the new X1 feels spacious and has better storage than before.

　　The BMW X1 is available with loads of new tech. The X1 now finally supports wireless Android Auto smartphone connectivity; it joins wireless Apple CarPlay functionality on the standard features list. The newly standard blind-spot warning system adds a safe-exit feature that sounds an alert if you're about to open your door into approaching traffic. Other highlights include an augmented reality display for the navigation system, new video recording capability for crashes and theft, and hands-free driving capability during certain situations.

　　The last X1 was one of the better-handling vehicles in this class, and the new model is no exception. On the road, the ride can feel a bit stiff, but that's countered by composed handling and a surprisingly sporty feel. Standard all-wheel drive is a boon and means there's never a shortage of traction. Our biggest issue is with the brake pedal. It felt surprisingly firm and somewhat touchy. Actual braking performance was fine, so we'd have no concerns in a panic situation. We just expect a little more refinement from a luxury SUV.

　　The 2023 BMW X1 is a technological tour de force, and its interior design isn't vastly different from what more expensive models in the range offer. It drives better, too, with agile handling and a peppy turbocharged engine. If you want a BMW with all the features of the big dogs but have a more modest budget, the X1 might be the SUV for you.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the X1 drive? Our BMW X1 test car came with the M Sport package that adds 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires. At our test track, the X1 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, which is noticeably quicker than the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLB. The power from the four-cylinder is smooth and strong, but wonky transmission tuning keeps the car in too high of a gear a lot of time, leaving the X1 feeling flat-footed when you need a quick burst of power.

　　Around turns, the X1 provides huge amounts of grip and stays balanced and controllable. The M Sport package's summer tires and adaptive suspension are definite advantages here. Sport mode considerably firms up the steering feel, making the driving experience even better on tight roads.

　　At city speeds, the X1 is a mixed bag. We like the light-effort steering and smooth-stopping brakes. The steering and small size make it easy to park, too. But getting away from a stoplight is sometimes a challenge due to the horrid engine stop-start system. It turns off the engine at strange times, and the engine restart is rough and shoves the car forward.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the X1? While the M Sport-specific seats are a bit more firm than necessary, they're very supportive and hold you in the right places through a fast corner. In the same vein, the M Sport adaptive suspension is also on the firmer side and makes everyday driving a somewhat bumpy ride. Comfort-minded customers should skip the M Sport package to avoid these two components.

　　BMW doesn't offer ventilated front seats on the X1; Mercedes does for its GLB. BMW also routes all of the climate controls through the touchscreen interface. It results in a sleek-looking cabin, but using the touchscreen to change climate settings is a more distracting process than traditional physical buttons in our experience.

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