Though it’s BMW’s smallest crossover SUV, the X1 features an upscale interior, mostly engaging driving dynamics, and good tech. The German luxury automaker gives it an overhaul for 2023 with fresh styling and a revised, more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Though BMW previously offered the SUV with rear- and all-wheel drive (AWD), the new X1 comes exclusively in AWD.
The X1 hits its third generation in 2023 and is larger in many exterior dimensions than its predecessor. A new curved display comes standard that runs BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment software, and the X1 picks up additional standard safety equipment that includes blind-spot warning.
- All-new third-generation model
- Longer and taller than its predecessor
- Standard AWD
- Pricing starts at $39,195, including the $995 destination charge
- The X1 will launch in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2022
BMW says it started with a clean sheet for the 2023 X1. The new SUV avoids the automaker’s large grille design in favor of a smaller unit with an almost square shape. LED headlights with cornering lights, full LED taillights, and 18-inch wheels are standard. Exterior dimensions have grown over the 2022 model. The new X1 is 1.7 inches longer, 0.9 inches wider, and 1.7 inches taller than before. BMW extends the SUV’s wheelbase to 106 inches—0.9 inches longer than the 2022 X1—and the vehicle’s track width increases by 0.8 inches.
The 2023 X1 offers accommodations for five people with a raised seating position for improved outward visibility. The front cabin area features large cupholders and a smartphone storage space with a clasp to keep the device in place. Ambient lighting is standard and configurable using the infotainment touchscreen. The lighting system also flashes to alert the driver to incoming calls, safety alerts, and more.
BMW developed new seats for the 2023 X1, and the interior comes trimmed exclusively in synthetic leather upholstery. Four colors are available: oyster, red and black, mocha, and black.
BMW revised the X1’s turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine for 2023, giving it a new dual-port injection system, updated combustion chamber, and increased power. Output is now up to 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine sends its power to all four wheels through a new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Though it’s not explicitly a sports SUV, BMW says the X1 manages a respectable 6.2-second zero-to-60-mph time.
The DCT is a marvel and features two sub-transmissions in one housing. The setup allows the gearbox to pre-select gears and change how it shifts based on the road conditions. M Sport package-equipped X1s add paddle shifters, which can also enable a Sport Boost function.
BMW gave the new X1 a revised suspension system that better handles rough roads, according to the automaker. A new near-actuator wheel-slip limitation system shortens the time it takes for the traction control system to register changes in the road, enabling it to make changes up to 10 times faster than before, the automaker says.
BMW typically holds most advanced driving assistance systems as added-cost options, though the X1 gets a decent list of features. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is now standard. Other safety-related tech includes automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a safe-exit system.
An available new driving-assistance system uses camera and radar systems to center the vehicle in its lane. It’s capable of steering, maintaining speed, and navigating traffic jams at speeds of up to 40 mph. An automatic parking assist system is available.
The new X1 comes standard with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.7-inch touchscreen running the latest BMW iDrive 8 infotainment system. The curved display offers various input methods, including touch, voice, steering wheel controls, and the iDrive controller built into the center console. BMW offers an augmented navigation function that uses a live video feed overlayed with information. Every 2023 X1 gets ultra-wideband radio technology that senses when the driver is around 10 feet away from the vehicle and activates a unique welcome sequence.
The 2023 BMW X1 competes with the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and the Volvo XC40.
BMW is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of June 1, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
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