Luxury automobiles don’t always arrive with a hefty price tag. The 2018 BMW X1 is a prime example.
BMW has the classy, compact sport utility vehicle priced at just over $34,000. Sure, the BMW X1 is not going to meet everyone’s needs. But if goal is purchasing a highly efficient, small SUV at a reasonable price, then the X1 should certainly be under consideration.
What’s so appealing about the BMW X1? First of all, from a visual standpoint, the X1 has an attractive exterior and certainly possesses a look that gives off the vibe that this SUV resides in the luxury category.
The X1 also delivers well in the performance department. It’s a turbocharged engine that’s both nimble and quick. It’s also sporty, handles well, and is fun to drive. A smart interior gives the X1 the complete package.
BMW has a number of SUV selections. The X1 is the German automaker’s smallest SUV. It’s 7 inches shorter in length, 5 inches less in height, and 400 pounds lighter than the BMW X3.
BMW debuted the X1 in 2013 and did such a fine job overall that only minor tweaks have been made over the past five years.
It comes in three trim levels – sDrive28i, xDrive28i and xDrive35i. The sDrive is equipped with rear-wheel drive and xDrives are all-wheel drive. The X1 comes standard with front-wheel drive.
We were quite impressed with the XI from a performance standpoint. It has a very strong engine, a turbo 2.0-liter, inline-4 that generates 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
The X1 has refined performance and the fuel economy is fairly typical for the class (23-32 mpg). The eight-speed automatic shifts quickly and the X1 has been clocked going 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, a fast time for a compact SUV.
Performance is an obvious strength for the X1. We are also fans of the way it drives, although it’s not without its flaws. A firm suspension is part of its makeup and accounts for the X1 providing a somewhat choppy ride over bumpy surfaces. It can get a little noisy over rough surfaces as well.
But the X1 makes up for that deficiency with its high-level handling. It gives the driver a terrific feel for the road. It’s a solid ride that corners well and possesses precise steering.
2018 BMW X1
- Performance: turbocharged 2.0-liter, four cylinder, 228 horsepower;
- Mileage estimate: 23-32 mph
- Price estimate: $34,100 to $36,100
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; drivetrain: 4 years/50,000 miles; roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited; corrosion: 12 years/unlimited
Unlike some luxury vehicles, the X1 doesn’t try to wow car buyers with an excess of technology, which is somewhat surprising. BMW chose to design a no-frills cockpit that most people will find intuitive in nature.
The iDrive infotainment system with its 6.5-inch touchscreen is uncomplicated. The climate control buttons are on the small side, yet not a problem to identify while driving. We don’t like that neither Apple CarPlay or Android Auto comes standard.
The X1 delivers a comfortable, roomy ride for all five passengers. There’s ample room up front and the back seat is similar with good head and leg room. The cargo area is more than adequate – 27.1 cubic-feet of space and 58.7 cubic-feet with the second row down.
We like the starting price of the 2018 BMW X1 and feel there’s plenty of bang for the buck. The price does tend to rise quickly with extras added, but the X1 is still a good bargain in the compact SUV class.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel. His “Weidel on Wheels” auto reviews are featured periodically on this website at www.tahoeskiworld.com.
