Unsurprisingly, the new BMW X1 has bulked up and gained new features in onboard technology.
The new BMW X1 is slightly larger than the previous model, with a length of 4 447 mm, a width of 1 821 mm, and a height of 1 598 mm. It has a wheelbase of 2 670 mm, which provides ample legroom for passengers in the rear seats. The car also has a ground clearance of 183 mm, which makes it suitable for driving on rough roads.
Unequivocally, the time spent on the launch test drive felt considerably less claustrophobic than in the outgoing model. Yet, it never felt like a big car but an improved model with revised dimensions.
The BMW X1 is a premium subcompact SUV launched in 2009, and the new version is the second generation with a sporty and modern exterior design that is both elegant and practical.
The front of the car features the signature kidney grille flanked by a pair of LED headlights. Its long bonnet and short overhangs give it a muscular look, while the sloping roofline and sharp creases on the side of the car add to its dynamic appearance.
The almost square BMW kidney grille, X-shaped lines radiating out to the sides and chrome strips in the lower air intake serves as its defining elements.
All model variants come as standard with 18-inch light-alloy wheels as fitted on xLine and M Sport cars, although these models are also available with 19-inch and – in a first for the BMW X1 – 20-inch wheels.
The new BMW X1 comes with a range of petrol and diesel engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The entry-level petrol engine is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 103 kW of power and 220 Nm of torque. The top-of-the-range petrol engine is a 2,0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 225 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque.
The new BMW X1 also features an xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which provides improved traction and stability in all driving conditions.
The interior is spacious and luxurious, with various advanced features and technologies. The dashboard features a 10.25-inch touchscreen display compatible with the iDrive system, which allows drivers to control the infotainment system, climate control, and other features.
The upholstery comes from high-quality leather, with the front seats electrically adjustable and heated. The rear seats are foldable to increase the cargo space from 505 to 1 550 litres.
The core elements of the cabin’s redesign are the slender instrument panel, the BMW Curved Display, the ‘floating’ armrest with an integral control panel and the smartphone tray with indirect illumination at the front of the centre console.
The new seats are available in standard Sensatec perforated or Vernasca leather upholstery. Also found on the options list are sports seats, electric seat adjustment with memory function and lumbar support, including a massage function.
The rear compartment of the new BMW X1 includes three full-sized seats offering a notable improvement in seating comfort. The 40:20:40 split rear-seat backrests can be folded down or adjusted to a different angle to expand the boot capacity.
The new BMW X1 boasts several advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. It also has six crash bags, a rear-view camera and a park distance control system.
The BMW Maps navigation system, a Sport leather steering wheel, intelligent two-zone automatic climate control and a rain sensor with automatic headlight activation all come as standard in the new generation of the BMW X1, as do four USB-C ports and two 12V power sockets.
Optional luxury features include the mirror package, ambient lighting, panoramic glass sunroof and Harman Kardon Sound System.
The new My Modes combine individually selectable vehicle settings with matching experience worlds for the interior. The Augmented View function is an optional add-on to the cloud-based BMW maps navigation system.
An interior camera makes it possible to take snapshots of the occupants or have images of the interior sent to the customer’s smartphone. In addition, a personal eSIM designed for 5G mobile technology, the BMW Digital Key Plus, the BMW ID functionality and smartphone integration using both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also all available in the new BMW X1.
