BMW X1 (2016-2022) review - Reliability and safety

The BMW X1 achieves a top safety rating, but standard kit could be better

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Reliability and Safety Rating

3.8 out of 5

Price
£34,350 to £52,780
Find your BMW X1
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The X1 uses the same platform as the MINI Countryman, which is shared with the rest of BMW and MINI's front-wheel drive offerings. It's proving reliable so far, although satisfaction with BMW as a whole isn't great. The company finished a disappointing 21st out of 29 manufacturers in our 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, while the X1 itself was 74th out of 75 cars. Customers didn't rate front seat comfort highly, nor expensive list prices and running costs.

The X1 scored a full five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s crash tests in 2015. Standard safety kit includes front and rear parking sensors, Park Assist, cruise control with braking function and Active Guard, featuring a forward vehicle collision warning.

The optional Driving Assistant Plus pack adds a lane departure warning and active cruise control, so while six airbags and the usual stability control systems are all included, the X1 isn't quite as safety conscious as rivals such as the Volvo XC40. The X1 tested was an sDrive18d, which received 90% for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant safety.

Warranty

As with the rest of the BMW range, the X1 is covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, with the latter feature giving BMW something different from rivals, which put a 60,000-mile cap on their warranty cover. The X1 also gets breakdown cover for the same period of time.

Servicing

BMW uses a condition-based service schedule, which sees on-board computers monitor all aspects of the car's running gear and alerts you about when a service is due via the dashboard display.

Owners can monitor wear and tear on their car by accessing a sub-menu within the iDrive system. This will show how the mechanical components are wearing, with anticipated mileage before replacement parts are needed.

In conjunction with this system, BMW offers its Pay Monthly Service Plan for a fee of around £20 a month, providing fixed costs to cover scheduled maintenance.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    sDrive 18i SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £28,335

Most Economical

  • Name
    sDrive 18d Sport Premier 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £35,130

Fastest

  • Name
    M35i xDrive 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £45,995

Most Popular

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023