2023 BMW X1: Munich Renews Its Popular Small Crossover, But U.S. Skips EV Version

BMW has taken the wraps off of its redesigned, third-generation X1 crossover. A little bigger overall and drawing style cues from the big X7, the new SUV will take only one form in the U.S., at least at first, the all-wheel drive (AWD) xDrive28i.

The updated styling heralds major changes underneath, although BMW fans will note that the most significant new design elements are ones that will likely be for Europe only.

While the X1 xDrive28i will get a considerable bump in power, Europe will get a host of new engines and an all-new fully electric version, the iX1. BMW doesn’t plan to offer this new variation in the U.S., but it continues Munich’s recent practice of offering battery-only versions of its new models.

While it isn’t a huge seller like its bigger X3 and X5 brothers, the German-made X1 has proved an important entry point for younger buyers to the rest of the substantial BMW crossover range. (The larger X3 through X7 are made in South Carolina).

The automaker also offers the even-smaller X2, a pint-sized crossover coupe that rides the same platform (shared with much of the Mini lineup), but the X1 is a much more popular vehicle on both sides of the pond and the real anchor of the X line. It won’t change immediately, but where the X1 leads the X2 will eventually follow. 

Bigger and Fancier, But Not Much Pricier

BMW hasn’t announced a replacement for the current front-wheel drive base model X1 (sDrive28i), but the new AWD xDrive28i will start at $39,595, including a $995 destination fee, which is an increase of only $1,200 from its 2022 predecessor. For this, buyers get a machine that’s grown in size and substance.

Like most things, the BMW X1 has grown in the full generation change, and it’s now 177.2 inches long. That’s more than two inches longer than before and less than two inches smaller than the original circa-2003 X3. 

It also sports a longer wheelbase, up 0.9 inches to 106 inches overall, and it’s wider (72.6 inches) and taller (64.7 inches), too. Even the track widths place the tires 1.2 inches farther apart. 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels will be available to fill out those chunky wheel wells.

With sharper lines draped on this slightly longer body, it looks more grown-up, and faintly like the giant X7 from a distance. 

A Bigger, More Modern Cabin

Like the underpinnings, the interior is an all-new design, with a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster integrated behind a curved screen to meet the 10.7-inch infotainment screen in the center of the dash. 

This striking design was first seen on the i4 and iX, and will gradually trickle down to the other BMWs. The curved screen display is beautiful, but there aren’t many hard controls, which might not be to everyone’s liking. 

The setup runs iDrive 8, the latest and greatest version of BMW’s infotainment system, also first seen on the new EV models. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all standard. Over-the-air updates will allow the system to stay contemporary for a long time to come and may enable new features in the future.

Dual-zone climate control air conditioning is standard, and the wiper rain sensor now automatically activates the headlights as well. Even standard versions will have four USB-C ports, two 12V sockets and a range of driver-assistance systems. 

As before, BMW will package some of the most desirable gear (adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, traffic jam assist and active lane keeping) in a driver assistance package. Forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, lane departure warning and blind spot detection will be standard.

There will be three full-sized rear seats for the first time in an X1, and it also includes a 40/20/40 split-fold arrangement. BMW hasn’t given any firm figures for U.S. model cargo volume, but European model X1s have grown about 3% to 5% larger inside.

More Power

The outgoing X1 was a fairly brisk, light-on-its-feet machine and the new one should be even more so. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is lightly massaged to hit 248 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, up 13 hp and 37 lb-ft from the old model. 

Happily, the new X1 xDrive28 weighs only about 25 pounds more than its predecessor, a negligible amount given its greater size and power.

This additional power is transmitted via a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), and the automaker says the combination is good for zero-to-60 sprints of 6.2 seconds, down about 0.2 from before. Models equipped with the M Sport package get paddle shifters for lightning-quick gear changes.

M Sport models also get other aesthetic and mechanical tweaks, including an adaptive suspension, an M steering wheel and sport seats that are sure to be more snug for people who like track days. With the optional 20-inch wheels and runflat performance tires in the M Sport package, the X1 will hit 149 mph. The X1 will have 8.1 inches of ground clearance, but as before we expect it to be biased more toward on-road performance than off-road brawn.

iX1 and Plug-ins

If there’s one major change to the X1 globally, it’s the arrival of the all-electric iX1. But BMW is also offering a variety of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains in other markets. 

None of these are slated to come stateside, but the previous X1 design lasted seven model years and by 2030, BMW expects half of its global sales to be battery powered.

There are big claims of efficiency for the BMW iX1 xDrive30, including best-in-class efficiency of 17.3 kWh/100 km on the European WLTP test cycle. It’s also the fastest X1 ever, with 310 hp and 364 lb-ft of instantaneous torque on tap via two electric motors. The AWD iX1 will sprint to 62 mph (100kph) in 5.7 seconds, even faster than the hot-rod X2 M35i.

BMW isn’t confirming the size of the iX1’s battery pack, but it ekes between 257 and 272 miles on the WLTP cycle, which would calculate back to between 75 kWh and 80 kWh. On the EPA’s slightly different test cycle, this would translate to between 229 and 243 miles. A second smaller (and cheaper) battery pack is expected at a later date. 

There are also diesel and PHEV X1s for Europe, including the plug-in xDrive30e, with up to 321 hp and 351 lb-ft of torque. For now, it’s unlikely that BMW will bring any of these models over, but the iX1 would make a very compelling alternative to the Volvo C40 Recharge.

When Can I Get One?

BMW estimates that the new X1 xDrive28i will arrive at dealerships in Q4. As before, there will be many opportunities for buyers to gild the lily, with Design xLine, Convenience, and Premium packages that add interior features from panoramic sunroofs to open-pore wood. 

The first of those packages also enables buyers to fit the larger wheels and performance tires of the M-Sport package but with different visuals and finer interior appointments. Well-equipped X1s should run about $45,000, and we’ll bring you more details about the final specs and prices as they become available.