Many young people are concerned only with speed and looks when it comes to their cars, giving no thought to such mundane things as practicality. But, there are some with a good head on their shoulders who know that's is possible to have both, if you look at something like the 2021 BMW X1. This stylish compact crossover knows how to have a good time, thanks to its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which develops a hearty 228 horsepower. But while it won't break any speed records, the X1 crossover is an excellent luxury vehicle with ample room for a small family and their stuff, and plenty of features to keep everyone comfortable. But, that's not to say there isn't any competition out there, especially with excellent offerings from other German brands such as the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Competition is stiff, so where exactly does the 2021 X1 fit in?
Not much changes for the US version of the X1 crossover in the 2021 model year. Several paints have been removed from the palette and Cashmere Silver Metallic and Phytonic Blue Metallic have been added. New standard features include SiriusXM with one-year all-access, while the list of standalone options has been updated. Sport seats are now only available with the M Sport Package, which has been made $300 cheaper. LED fog lamps are no longer included in the Convenience and Premium packages, and the base cost of the X1 has been increased by $200.
See trim levels and configurations:
If you're in the market for a roomy and practical SUV but still want some luxury and a certain level of performance, the BMW X1 is a great choice. Now in its second generation, it's been refined to such a degree that it can tick all the boxes without making many compromises, which is amazing for such a small vehicle. These sacrifices include a somewhat stiff ride and less-than-stellar front-seat support. The infotainment is also a little laggy at times.
In exchange, you get some genuine performance chops, great handling for a top-heavy car, and more than a few standard safety features. This helps to explain the NHTSA's perfect review of the 2021 BMW X1, which returned a five-star safety rating. Unfortunately, the reliability of these German vehicles is not as good as their high-quality materials would suggest with only 75 out of 100 for quality and reliability from J.D. Power. If you're willing to pay the price that a premium vehicle asks, the BMW X1 is definitely worth the money.
The only real difference between the two versions of the X1 is the drivetrain they come standard with. If you don't need AWD to deal with harsh road or weather conditions, you may as well save yourself a little cash and stick with the sDrive28i. However, there are some optional extras you may want to consider. The LED headlights are a must, and the parking assistant is affordable for the added convenience. Of course, if you have the money to spare and want the best, the xDrive28i with AWD does give you extra traction. We'd Add the Premium Package, as it has some really nice goodies like heated seats, a panoramic moonroof, and a head-up display. Pimped out to this degree, the 2021 BMW X1 SUV carries a price of $41,850.
The most popular competitors of 2021 BMW X1:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo