2017 BMW X1

C/D Overall Rating:

It seems that every brand—both luxury and mainstream—is throwing all its resources to the growing crossover market. Our testing reveals that the BMW X1 is the best crossover in the small-luxury segment. It’s quick, nimble, spacious, well-built, and undeniably upscale. BMW’s baby crossover belies its boxy shape with athletic handling and peppy performance, but it still provides class-leading cargo and passenger space. The X1 meets its mission so well that we named it on our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for 2017.

What’s New for 2017?

For 2017, BMW has made few changes to its smallest crossover, which was fully redesigned and introduced in 2015 as a 2016 model. While the previous generation was available with an inline-six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, the 2016 model rolled out on an all-new front-drive platform with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder as its sole engine. This year, the M Sport package will include a sport-tuned suspension for the first time; sport seats are also offered as a stand-alone option.

Standard Feature Highlights

• Power-adjustable front seats with memory
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Power liftgate

Trims and Options We’d Choose

The all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive28i is $2000 more than the front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive28i, but, depending on where you live, it may be a worthwhile choice. The front-wheel-drive model is more than adequate for daily commutes, though we recommend the M Sport package ($2450) because it comes with more comfortable sport seats and other enticing add-ons, including:

• M sport suspension
• Body-colored bumpers and lower-body cladding
• A racy M-branded steering wheel
• Blacked-out window trim and roof rails

At $37,540, our front-drive X1 sDrive28i represents great value and a sharper dynamic edge than rivals such as the Lexus NX, with the M Sport Package dialing in even more driving fun. However, unless you want to limit your color choices to either black or white, plan on spending an extra $700 for a metallic paint option, of which there are nine.

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Engine and Transmission Rating:

There is only one powertrain for the X1: a silky 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo four provides plenty of pep as well as good fuel efficiency.

In our all-wheel-drive test vehicle, we managed a 6.3-second zero-to-60-mph time, which is one of the quicker entries in this segment. Front-wheel drive is standard; the optional all-wheel-drive system puts most of the power through the front wheels, although up to 100 percent of the engine’s output can, for brief moments in low-traction scenarios, flow to the rear.

Acceleration, C/D Test Results

Looking to tow? You’ll have to look elsewhere—perhaps at the Range Rover Evoque—as BMW recommends a big fat goose egg for towing.

Tow Ratings Compared

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Fuel Economy Rating:

The X1 earns highly competitive fuel-economy ratings from the EPA, though the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 beats both its city and highway EPA numbers. Our highway testing proves, as always, that your real-world mileage may vary.

Fuel Economy Ratings Compared: X1 Turbo 2.0L Inline-4, FWD

Fuel Economy Ratings Compared: X1 Turbo 2.0L Inline-4, AWD

We’ve devised our own fuel-economy test in an attempt to replicate how most people drive on the highway. Our procedure entails a 200-mile out-and-back loop on Michigan’s I-94 highway. We maintain a GPS-verified 75 mph and use the cruise control as much as possible to mimic the way many drivers behave during long trips. Here, the X1 brought up the rear of this small group, underperforming its EPA rating by 2 mpg. Had the X1 matched its EPA rating, it could’ve added another 30 miles to its overall range.

Highway Fuel Economy, C/D Test Results

Highway Range, C/D Test Results

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Interior Rating:

A well-made interior with rich leather, handsome wood trim, intuitive controls, and spacious seating makes the X1 a smart choice in the segment. Uncomfortable standard seats, evidence of cost-cutting, and a lack of key luxury features are its demerits.

The X1’s interior is nicely appointed and crafted from mostly premium materials. Poke around, and you’ll find evidence that BMW’s accountants repurposed funds from the interior. The glovebox door is as flimsy as a plastic lunchbox, and the bin hidden under the front seat, while useful, feels as if BMW bought it in bulk from a dollar-store fire sale.

The cockpit has a driver-focused layout, reinforcing the X1’s sporty personality. The infotainment screen sprouts from the center of the dashboard and is canted toward the driver for a better viewing angle; the simple hard-button controls for the radio and climate cascade across the center of the dashboard. Facing the driver is a businesslike gauge cluster that looks elegant and is readable at a glance. The driving position is great, although the steering wheel adjustments could use more range of motion in both rake and reach. The steering wheel itself has a thick rim and leather wrapping that feels convincingly luxe.

Getting in and out of the X1’s front seats is easy, with doors that open wide. Step-in height is very low for an SUV; only the tallest drivers, or those who prefer their seat moved to the rearmost setting, will find that the B-pillar impedes ingress and egress. The rear-seat bottom is also mounted at a good height for entry, but there is a ledge that passengers will need to step over.

Interior Space Comparisons

Thanks to its tall roof, the X1 offers the most headroom in its class. However, front-seat legroom is merely adequate. Long-legged drivers may find the Lexus NX or the Lincoln MKC more comfortable, as those crossovers offer 42.8 inches of front-seat legroom. To understand how impressive 42.8 inches of legroom is, consider this: The comparably gargantuan Ford Explorer offers just 0.1 inch more front legroom. The little Bimmer does compensate with best-in-class rear legroom.

Front Seats

Back Seats

Interior Features

Although the X1 offers many standard features, some common luxury items, such as a power-adjustable steering column and heated rear seats, are not offered. The X1’s sun visors are narrow and don’t provide complete coverage, but they do extend when in use on the side window.

FeatureStandard/OptionalTilting steering columnStandardTelescoping steering columnStandardPower-adjustable steering columnNot AvailableHeated steering wheelOptionalPower-adjustable pedalsNot AvailableMemory driver’s seatStandardMassaging driver’s seatNot AvailableMassaging front-passenger seatNot AvailablePower driver’s seatStandardPower front-passenger seatStandardHeated front seatsOptionalHeated rear seatsNot AvailableCooled front seatsNot AvailableCooled rear seatsNot AvailableHead-up displayOptionalRear-seat entertainment systemNot Available

Seat Adjustments

The standard seats in the X1 are firm and narrow; anyone but the petite drivers will find them unsupportive and tight. We recommend the optional sport seats, as they provide more support and better contouring for average-size adults. Power adjustments are standard for the front seats, and four-way-power lumbar support is optional.

2017 BMW X1Fore/
AftReclineShoulder articulationLumbar supportHeightThigh supportSide bolsterHeadrest tiltDriver’s seatXXXXFront-passen-
ger seatXXXX

Climate Control

Manual climate controlAutomatic climate controlSecond-row climate controlSecond-row vent2017 BMW X1NoTwo-zoneNoYes

Cupholder Location

BMW provides eight standard cupholders in the X1, but the ones inside each door pocket (four total) are at an awkward angle, so they’re best left for capped bottles.

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Vehicle Tested: 2017 BMW X1

Seating Height

The BMW X1’s low seating height makes it feel more like a hatchback than an SUV. The Lexus NX, on the other hand, provides a much higher seating position that SUV buyers may prefer. To accurately measure seating height—the distance from the road to the driver’s hip—we use an H-Point Machine (HPM), a precisely engineered device marketed by the Society of Automotive Engineers. This versatile tool, in conjunction with a laser device, reveals the width and location of roof-pillar visibility obstructions (blind spots). Our H-Point Machine and laser measurement tools determine the length of road obscured by the hood as well as the road obscured by the trunk or hatch (as seen through the rearview mirror).

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Seating Height, C/D Test Results

Blind Spots, Visibility, and Obscured Roadway

Narrow front pillars help to clear the view ahead, but the X1’s wide rear pillars and small rear quarter-windows hinder visibility when merging in traffic. A blind-spot monitor is not available, even as an option.

Roof pillars protect occupants in a rollover crash, but they also create blind spots. We determine visibility by measuring the location and width of each pillar using an H-Point Machine and a laser beam (surrogates for a driver and eyeball, respectively). Front and rear visibility are calculated by subtracting the viewable area blocked by the pillars from a perfect 180-degree score.

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Obscured Roadway, C/D Test Results

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Cargo Space and Storage Rating:

With the largest cargo capacity in its segment, even beating some higher-class rivals, the X1 offers a lot of space for its compact shape. Several bins and cubbies dot the cabin and provide handy places to stash smaller objects, but the majority of storage is under the cargo floor.

The cargo area is carpeted, chrome-trimmed, and cavernous. We managed to fit seven of our carry-on cases behind the second row and 19 in total with the rear seat folded down.

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Carry-On Luggage, C/D Test Results

Cargo Configurations

The rear seat splits 40/20/40 for maximum flexibility, and for $300, there’s slide-and-recline functionality. When stowed, the seat creates an almost flat load floor for bulkier items.

First Row; fold-flat passenger seatSecond Row2017 BMW X1No40/20/40

Cargo Volume Comparisons

The X1 has the most cargo volume in its class, providing 59 cubic feet of storage with its second row stowed. By comparison, the one-size-bigger Lexus RX350 provides 56 cubic feet of seat-down storage. Kudos to BMW’s packaging engineers.

Interior Cubby Storage

Continuing its streak of cargo-carrying supremacy, the X1 managed to accommodate 2391 of our ping-pong balls in total. But the vast majority of those (1700) were stashed in a giant underfloor bin in the cargo area, which is inaccessible while on the go. Ignoring that, the X1 stacks up competitively with its rivals. Both the BMW and the Lexus NX accommodated 332 ping-pong balls in their first rows, but the X1 has more commodious door pockets.

Why do we use ping-pong balls?

To determine the interior space available to stash travel essentials, we’ve devised a range of measuring protocols. We use six beverage containers ranging in size and shape to gauge cupholder accommodation. We stack, stuff, and arrange 9-by-14-by-22-inch cardboard boxes to quantify the number of airline-carry-on-size suitcases that will fit in a trunk or folded seat’s cargo space. To measure irregularly shaped gloveboxes, door pockets, and console bins, we fill each container with 1.5-inch-diameter ping-pong balls. It’s tempting to convert the number of spheres to a volume (cubic inches), but we resist that calculation because—as with the box of tissues, 12-ounce can of soda, or gallon of milk you might stash in these compartments—there are voids between the balls. Random packing (our procedure) nullifies approximately one-third of the available space. The negative space between the balls could theoretically be reduced to 25 percent of an irregular shape with precise stacking, but while we might be pedantic, we’re not crazy.

Maximum Cubby Storage, C/D Test Results

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Safety and Driver Assistance Rating:

We’re not ones to argue with an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and the X1’s standard airbags and optional active-safety technologies give it another leg up in this department. Its lack of a blind-spot monitor and its expensive optional backup camera prevent true safety greatness.

Crash-Test Results

Two agencies evaluate vehicles for crashworthiness in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates tested vehicles from 1 to 5 stars in front crash, side crash, and rollover tests. NHTSA also assigns cars an overall rating out of five stars. The non-profit, independent, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses a different set of tests to evaluate front and side crashworthiness, roof strength, headlight reach, and ease of child seat installation. IIHS grades cars on a scale from Good to Poor in each test, and awards the cars that perform best across all its tests with Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick + honors, the latter of which requires that the vehicle’s automated forward-collision-braking system performs well in IIHS’s tests.

NHTSA has yet to perform its crash testing on the X1, but the BMW performed well for the IIHS. It earned “Good” scores in each of the agency’s categories and was named a Top Safety Pick.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Test Results

2017 BMW X1

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Test Results

2017 BMW X1

Small OverlapModerate OverlapSide ImpactRoof StrengthHead Restraints and SeatsTop Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+?GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodTop Safety Pick

Airbags, Child Seats, and Spare Tire Location

In the rear seat, BMW provides LATCH anchors for two child seats and tethers for three. Anchor points are easy to reach, but front-seat occupants will need to concede some legroom in order to accommodate a rear-facing infant seat installed behind them.

In lieu of a spare tire, the X1 comes standard with all-season run-flat tires that can be driven on for short distances and at limited speeds with zero air pressure.

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Vehicle Tested: 2017 BMW X1

Active Safety Features

The Driver Assistance Plus package comprises four active safety features for $700. The features—forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and pedestrian detection—rely on cameras and radars. All that technology for $700 is a deal, but be warned that BMW will only let you select the package if you spring for the $1200 in-dash navigation. Adaptive cruise control with full-speed range is available for an extra $1000.

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Backup Camera

Interestingly, BMW has chosen to provide a backup camera as part of the $1150 Driver Assistance package, which also includes parking sensors and a self-parking feature. Many of its rivals offer a backup camera as standard or at least as an inexpensive option. BMW’s camera feeds a high-resolution image to the center screen, however.

Gridlines integrated in backup camera view?Do gridlines move with steering wheel?Does volume of audio system reduce when reverse is selected?2017 BMW X1YesYesNo

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Warranty Rating:

BMW’s limited warranty and powertrain protection are ordinary for the segment, but the company sweetens the deal with three years of free maintenance. The Lexus NX and the Lincoln MKC offer the same limited warranties, and they provide six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranties, but both come with shorter periods of complimentary maintenance.

Warranty Comparison

VehicleLimited WarrantyPowertrain WarrantyHybrid Component WarrantyCorrosion ProtectionRoadside AssistanceComplimentary Scheduled Maintenance2017 Lexus NX4 years / 50,000 miles6 years / 70,000 miles8 years / 100,000 miles6 years (unlimited miles)4 years (unlimited miles)1 year / 10,000 miles2017 Mercedes-
Benz GLA-class4 years / 50,000 miles4 years / 50,000 milesN/A4 years / 50,000 miles4 years or 50,000 milesNone2017 Infiniti QX304 years / 60,000 miles6 years / 70,000 milesN/A7 years (unlimited miles)4 years (unlimited miles)None2017 Lincoln MKC4 years / 50,000 miles6 years / 70,000 milesN/A5 years (unlimited miles)Vehicle lifetime2 years / 24,000 miles2017 BMW X14 years / 50,000 miles4 years / 50,000 milesN/A12 years (unlimited miles)4 years (unlimited miles)3 years / 36,000 miles

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Infotainment Rating:

The X1’s standard infotainment system is intuitive enough, and it’s easy to operate while on the go. The optional 8.8-inch screen is a size not found in most rivals, but it’s a pricey upgrade. Unfortunately, the system’s response time is slow, and the fact that there’s only one USB port is disappointing.

All X1s come standard with a 6.5-inch iDrive infotainment system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Navigation, a larger 8.8-inch infotainment screen, a SiriusXM subscription, and a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo are optional.

Infotainment Features

The X1’s infotainment system bundles navigation, radio, telephone, and the car’s overall systems menu under the command of a rotary knob that fits comfortably beneath the driver’s right hand. The controller is surrounded by shortcut buttons for phone, nav, and other functions. The optional 8.8-inch screen is part of a $2550 Technology package that includes a head-up display; with the larger screen, a touchpad is incorporated into the top of the rotary knob.

Using the system to do simple things such as make a call or change the radio station is straightforward, but some menus become brain teasers once you dig deeper. Call up the navigation system menu, for example, and one icon reads “Interactive Map” while another says “Map Content.” Spend some time with your owner’s manual, and you’ll soon be fluent in German infotainment logic.

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A single USB port is provided inside the X1—a paucity compared with many vehicles on the modern market. The lone port is located in the center alongside the single auxiliary input. Luckily, there are three 12-volt outlets that should provide additional charging opportunities for passengers.

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Vehicle Tested: 2017 BMVW X1

Infotainment Performance

While we found the infotainment system easy to use save for a few quirks, we were disappointed when we measured the system’s response time. On average, BMW’s iDrive system in the X1 needed 1.5 seconds to jump from menu to menu, earning it a “Poor” score. Note that it trails a pair of popular smartphones, which are considerably slower than the Dodge Durango’s Uconnect, one of the best systems available.

Infotainment Response Time, C/D Test Results

By filming the infotainment screen while switching between various menus and then analyzing the high-speed video frame by frame, we are able to accurately measure the system’s response time. We rate infotainment response, or latency, on the following scale:

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Exterior Rating:

When compared with its more extroverted rivals, the handsome but subtle X1 is a shrinking violet. Like its competitors, its compact size gives it good maneuverability in tight spaces; its boxy shape contributes to class-leading cargo capacity.

If you were to remove the X1’s twin-kidney grilles and squinting headlights, you’d be hard-pressed to identify this as a BMW. This isn’t an indictment of its styling, but of the sameness that pervades the entire crossover category. Still, there are nice details here, such as the prominent rib that runs across the body side and through the door handles to grant this BMW a muscular physique. There are also the intriguingly detailed optional LED headlights that turn in concert with the steering wheel to illuminate corners at night.

This segment seems to be a grouping of tall wagons rather than true SUVs, save for the Lexus NX, which is the longest, widest, and tallest here. But the X1 looks the part, and that counts for a lot.

Exterior Dimensions

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Exterior Measurement Comparisons

Exterior Features

The X1 is offered in 11 different exterior paints, nine of which are metallic and will add $700 to the bottom line. A panoramic sunroof is also optional, and it can vent and open over the front-seat occupants.

.ymmpexterior { overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 32px; } .ymmpexterior img{ width: 100% !important; opacity:1.0; filter:alpha(opacity=100); /* For IE8 and earlier */ -moz-opacity: 1.0; /* Netscape */ -khtml-opacity: 1.0; /* Safari 1.x */ -ms-filter: "progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(Opacity=100)"; border: 2px solid #FFF; } .ymmpexterior div{ font-size: 13px; padding:0; line-height: 0; } .ymmpexterior a{ display: inline-block; position: relative; line-height: 0; width: 100%; } .ymmpexterior a div{ position: absolute; left: 0; bottom: 0; backgraccordcar2016ound: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8); padding: 8px; vertical-align: top; color: #222; } .ymmpexterior span{ vertical-align: top; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1rem; }

Active Key-Fob Commands

Lock / unlockTrunkRemote startPanic alarmHold to roll down windowsHold to roll up windowsRemote parking2017 BMW X1 xDrive28iXXXX

Passive Key-Fob Commands

Driver door lock / unlockPassenger door lock / unlockRear doors lock / unlockTrunkPush to startProximity approach lighting2017
BMW X1 xDrive28iXXXXX

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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C/D Performance and Driving Impressions Rating:

The X1 is very responsive to your commands from the steering wheel, the throttle pedal, and the brakes. It’s fun to drive, with plentiful zip and a satisfying athleticism in the way it slices into corners.

Acceleration

The X1’s engine and transmission are a strong combination. The X1 always seems to be in the right gear, and power feels abundant. Our all-wheel-drive test vehicle’s zero-to-60-mph time was 6.3 seconds, which is plenty quick to supply a lunge away from stoplights.

Acceleration, C/D Test Results

Ride, Handling, and Steering

The X1’s ride is firm, and it does not suppress the nastiest road imperfections; it’s more sports car than SUV in this regard. To inform the driver’s hands, the X1 has electrically assisted power steering, which filters out much of the tactility that makes driving BMWs a joy. However, the X1 has all the cornering ability anyone could want in a family hauler: In our roadholding tests, the BMW had the sharpest claws in the class.

Maximum Cornering Capability, C/D Test Results

Braking

In our emergency braking test, the X1 exhibited a solid—but still midpack—stopping distance of 170 feet. The Infiniti QX30 stands atop the podium with its 163-foot stop.

Maximum Braking Capability, C/D Test Results

In Depth: 2017 BMW X1

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