Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW X1 (2016-2022) review - Engines, performance and drive

The BMW X1 is possibly the best handling small SUV on sale in the UK

Engines, performance and drive rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£36,690 £54,465
Avg. savings
£4,493 off RRP*
Find your BMW X1
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Unlike bigger BMW models, the X1 is available with front-wheel drive. The facelift didn’t change the chassis set up, which is no bad thing. The UKL2 platform that underpins it, shared with sister company MINI, features a strut-type suspension set-up at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. Adaptive dampers are available as an option on the M Sport only, and we'd recommend adding them, as they bring big benefits for the X1's ride and handling.

Advertisement - Article continues below

After only a few miles behind the wheel of the X1, it’s clear that this is the most driver-focused model in the small premium SUV class. It feels more like a conventional car than an SUV because you sit lower, but this means it also feels sportier.

Combined with weighty steering and less body roll than most rivals, it offers more grip and corners harder, making it the more involving choice. There are different drive modes, and with the adaptive dampers connected to the toggle switch that selects these different settings, the X1 feels alert in Sport mode. Yet the ride is never as crashy as in some rivals, even in the stiffer setting.

In Comfort mode the X1 is surprisingly absorbent, even with the larger wheel options offered by BMW. The suspension filters out suspension movements with finesse and keeps things level. This means it’s more comfortable around town and on the motorway than most rivals, while the engine isn’t quite as noisy, either.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

X1

2014 BMW

X1

81,100 milesManualDiesel2.0L

Cash £6,299
View X1
X1

2022 BMW

X1

27,312 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £22,920
View X1
X1

2019 BMW

X1

44,150 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £13,995
View X1
X1

2020 BMW

X1

20,183 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £25,308
View X1

The four-wheel-drive xDrive20d model uses an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that can send power to the front or rear when either axle senses slip, while it comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Don’t go thinking you can take your X1 too far off the beaten track, though. While hill descent control is included, this isn’t the kind of car you’ll go mud plugging in at the weekend.

Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed

UK buyers have the choice of two diesel and two petrol engines in the X1. All offer decent performance and great economy. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version which is the most economical of all.

The hybrid system produces 217bhp and 385Nm of torque – and BMW claims the drivetrain offers maximum electric-only range of around 32 miles at speeds of up to 84mph, while 0–62mph takes 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 120mph.

At the test track the X1 xDrive20d we tested was slightly faster than a Volvo XC40 D4, beating it by six tenths from 0-60mph, with a time of 7.6 seconds. It was also a few tenths faster from 30-50mph in the lower gears, while this advantage increased between 50-70mph in the higher gears. The engine is more refined and the gearbox a little snappier to change in manual mode as well, tying in with the extra focus placed on the driver. There’s nothing to split the transmissions or the traction the four-wheel-drive systems offer when cruising, though, because both are smooth.

The automatic gearbox is likely to be the top pick transmission. It’s nicely refined and changes gear with precision and pace. It’s a bit jerky in Sport+ mode, but leave it in Comfort and you won’t be disappointed.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    sDrive 20i MHT Sport 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £36,690
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    xDrive 23d MHT xLine 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £43,610
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    M35i xDrive 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £51,025
Select car

New & used car deals

BMW X1

BMW X1

RRP £36,430Avg. savings £4,493 off RRP*Used from £27,849
BMW X2

BMW X2

RRP £42,750Avg. savings £3,345 off RRP*Used from £12,476
BMW X3

BMW X3

RRP £50,185Avg. savings £2,770 off RRP*Used from £16,195
BMW iX1

BMW iX1

RRP £43,215Avg. savings £6,323 off RRP*Used from £29,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars
Render of the Audi A3 e-tron - front static

New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars

Audi has confirmed it’s bringing a posh all-electric take on the MEB platform to market, and in good time
News
18 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025