2024 BMW X1 Review: Growing The Family

BMW knows how to do a lot of things right, and the 2024 X1 subcompact SUV capitalizes on this with a comfortable interior and excellent driving dynamics, but it falls behind some rivals like the Volvo XC40 and Lexus UX when it comes to standard features. Naturally, it also competes with its traditional rivals, including the Mercedes GLA-Class and Audi Q3. Its lack of standard features is especially evident in terms of the safety specifications, but when you're having so much fun driving it, the cost of adding extras will fade into the back of your mind. This is even truer now that there is an M-Performance model with 313 horsepower and a quicker sprint time. If deluxe thrills for you and your family during the school run are important to you, then the BMW X1 should be on your shortlist.

New for 2024

After some much-needed updates last year, the new BMW X1 SUV is mostly sticking to its guns for 2024. There is a new M35i xDrive variant, this year, however, which may appeal to those who really want to lean into BMW's penchant for performance. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes a more impressive 313 horsepower and the M35i gets an adaptive suspension and high-performance brakes. It looks sportier, too, with 19-inch M wheels and a spruced-up exterior that includes a revised grille and quad tailpipes. Both X1 models come with the updated iDrive 9 infotainment operating system.

2024 BMW X1 Price: Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 BMW X1 starts at $40,500 MSRP for the xDrive28i, and since it isn't a truly full-fat M car, the M35i will only cost you $49,900. Still, the core trim is far from comprehensive, as there are many packages you can tack on to improve the offering with more advanced driver-assistance features and some luxury accouterments. You'll also have to factor in the $995 destination charge.

If it were our money, and we could afford to spend it all, we wouldn't hold back and get the M35i. This is because BMW likes to leave off a lot of features more high-value rivals give you gratis. The most comprehensive package is the Premium package, which gets you a moonroof, a surround-view camera, Parking Assistant Plus, and a head-up display. All of this only adds $4,100 to the bill. Beyond this, the $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional package is a must-have.

Interior and Features

There is strong focus on clean lines and tech inside the X1, with the dual screens on the dash granting access to almost all the features.

There is plenty to love about the interior of the X1, with the large Curved Display screen dominating the dashboard, splitting the focus between important vehicle information and infotainment. There are almost no physical controls, which will be a boon for some and sorely missed by others, while the air vents are thin, leaning into the high-tech and minimalist design philosophy. Even the steering wheel only has a few controls, but it is otherwise chunky and feels really good in your hands. Build quality is good, and the materials chosen are all top-notch, with a strong focus on comfort all around; we'd expect nothing less from BMW.

Space

Subcompacts don't often win awards for their interior space, but the X1 is among the best in the USA when it comes to cramming five people inside the cabin. Those in the front will be able to stretch out more easily, but the second row has enough room for an average-sized adult. You can opt for front sports seats if you intend on putting the car through its paces and need the extra support, but they are a little firmer than the regular buckets. Comfort is otherwise excellent, and getting inside the vehicle is easy thanks to large doors and an ergonomic step-in. The roof also doesn't slope down much in the back.

Cargo

A crossover or SUV without a good helping of cargo space defeats its purpose. Luckily, the X1 doesn't have to bow its head in shame, as it boasts a respectable 25.7 cubic feet of room in the trunk. While this isn't segment-leading, it is more than enough for most daily needs or just about any grocery run. On those odd occasions when you need a bit more space, the rear seats can be folded down to create a 57.2-cu-ft loading area.

Cabin storage is nothing to sneeze at, either, with a large tray in the floating console, two cupholders, and a long armrest with a cubby underneath. The door pockets are also quite spacious, and the rear middle seat can fold down to reveal two more cupholders. Finally, there is a locking glove compartment for everything else that needs stowing.

Materials and Colors

BMW doesn't deal in cheap or low-quality products, so the materials coating every surface are naturally top notch. Mercedes still has its German rival beat in this area, but the difference isn't that great. Veganza leatherette is the starting point for your customization options, and it comes in Black M Alcantara with blue contrast stitching. The rest of the interior colors come with the perforated Veganza and include Oyster, Red/Black bicolor, Mocha, and plain Black.

The dash and doors are lined with soft-touch materials, so you won't find any hard plastics in sight, and the headliner is Anthracite cloth. If you want to swap out the Black high-gloss trim for wood or aluminum, it will cost you extra.

Features and Infotainment

Both models are similarly equipped, but the new M35i model does give you a little more to warrant its $9k price bump. Starting in the base trim, you'll find eight-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, and BMW's Curved Display that includes a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.7-inch touchscreen for the infotainment. The latter gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a seven-speaker sound system. You get the optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon in the M35i without needing to pay extra, along with a comfort access key. The remaining features need to be opted on at extra cost and include a wireless charging device, a Digital Key Plus, an interior camera, a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a head-up display.

Performance

BMW continues to bring its A-game with the new M35i trim, which boasts high levels of power and a sub-six-second sprint time.

Not all luxury cars can match a BMW when it comes to performance, and even the base-level xDrive28i has a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The very same engine has been re-tuned for the M35i, and while torque remains the same, horsepower has been punted up to 313. Both models use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and send power to an all-wheel drivetrain.

The BMW X1 can sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.2 to 6.2 seconds, depending on which powertrain is in play, and the SUV can hit a top speed of 130 mph, or 155 mph with performance tires and increased limiter. Needless to say, the X1 can keep up with almost anything similar on the road and effortlessly merge or pass on the highway. While it may be biased towards going fast and swinging around corners, the BMW is also supremely comfortable and easy to handle. The suspension soaks up bumps with aplomb, and the steering offers enough feedback to inspire confidence in any situation. This is especially true for the M35i, which gets some extra equipment to improve this experience. Unfortunately, the X1 was not designed to go off-road, but it still has a rather good maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Efficiency

Despite their focus on acceleration and high-speed antics, BMW cars usually get quite good gas mileage. The established xDrive28i gets 25/34/28 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, while the new model in the BMW X1 lineup manages 23/31/26 mpg with its improved outputs. Both have the same fuel capacity of 14.3 gallons, so the maximum driving range varies from 372 to 400 miles.

Safety

Few luxury cars show off their safety ratings, so it is nice to see that the X1 scores well with both US organizations.

It's rare to see a high-end luxury get the gamut of crash tests, but the BMW X1 has an extensive safety review. The NHTSA gives it a four-star rating, with weak points being frontal and rollover crashes - common problems for SUVs. Meanwhile, the IIHS has no complaints, as it gives the car a Good for every category barring seat belt reminders (Marginal), and even awarded the 2023 model a Top Safety Pick+ title.

Each X1 comes equipped with ABS, stability and traction control, a rearview camera, and ten airbags. Beyond this, you also get active park distance control front and rear, frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. The remaining features are locked behind the optional packages, including traffic jam assist, active lane-keep assist, side-collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and an Active Driving Assistant Pro.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Reliability

Cars that are built for performance sometimes suffer from middling reliability, and the BMW X1 is one of those. According to JD Power's consumer survey, the SUV only got 72 out of 100 for dependability, with 77 for overall consumer satisfaction. These are stark decreases from the third-gen model. However, the latest generation has only been recalled twice in 2023 for malfunctioning second-row seats, and a driver's airbag that may not deploy properly.

The 2024 BMW X1 gets a limited warranty for four years/50,000 miles, with roadside aside for the same duration and unlimited mileage, while complimentary maintenance is offered for three years/36,000 miles.

Warranty

Design

As the smallest model in the range, the 2024 BMW X1 SUV omits some of the more polarizing design elements found on larger models. This means that it has a slightly more modest grille, but it still stands out with chromed vertical bars and black accents on the M35i. All models come with sharply styled LED headlights that fit nicely in the curves of the front fascia, which also accentuate the large air intake in the lower bumper and the smaller side intakes. Within the headlight clusters are LED daytime running lights. At the back, there are L-shaped taillights, running over the power-operated liftgate, and there is a small brake bar at the top. The exhaust on the regular model is barely noticeable, but the M35i has bolder quad outlets. Similarly, the standard 18-inch alloy wheels are upgraded to 19s on the M trim with the option of 20 inches.

Verdict: Is The 2024 BMW X1 A Good SUV?

We've always been fans of the BMW X1, and with good reason. It does a lot of things extremely well and doesn't do anything particularly poorly. The latest generation has more tech than ever to complement its impressive performance, and the addition of a more powerful M-Performance trim only reinforces this advantage. It is otherwise a practical and comfortable cruiser with impressive rear-seat space and cargo capacity for a subcompact vehicle. Now that it has more power to work with, the X1 is poised to knock the Volo XC40 off its perch, and it still enjoys excellent fuel economy and respectable safety ratings. It was also a great small SUV, but now it may officially be one of the best.