It seems that every vehicle I’ve been reviewing lately has some type of hybrid or electric system. After all, manufacturers want to show off their latest drivetrain technologies. The 2023 BMW X1 is brand-new, but unusually it will only be offered as a gasoline-powered vehicle. No battery packs or plugs to worry about. For some customers – especially those who park in extremely urban or remote environments – this is a godsend. Rural customers will appreciate the X1’s commodious fuel capacity. It features good fuel economy coupled with a large 14.3-gallon fuel tank. Being able to go 500 miles between fill-ups is a nice feature. If you leave your car in a garage in the city, or the rural countryside, the X1 is a perfect choice.
Little Engine, Big Power
The 2.0-liter turbo engine featured in the X1 may be among the last gasoline engines BMW develops as the company moves toward electrification. It’s an efficient and smooth-running workhorse. The new engine incorporates a Miller combustion cycle, as well as a new dual (direct and port) injection system. It makes 241 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
The little SUV is not rated to tow more than 1,500 pounds, but it’ll pull a couple of JetSkis or motorcycles without a problem with that prodigious torque. The engine is mated exclusively to a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to BMW, the powertrain sends the X1 xDrive28i from 0-60 mph in just 6.2 seconds. Although the gear selector is a little strange compared with the typical PRNDL shifter, when you shut off the engine, the transmission automatically shifts into Park.
Big Changes Within
The previous generation X1 had a nice interior, but the latest version takes it to the next level. The BMW curved display features a frameless glass surface angled toward the driver. According to BMW, it brings an elegantly modern highlight to the cabin. Below it, the dashboard accentuates the width of the interior with its generously sized and horizontal decorative surfacing.
Slim new air vents camouflage themselves into the dashboard, and additional side air vents are built into the A-pillars. The dashboard and door panels feature indirect LED lighting with customizable color.
We really dug the front section of the center console. The large smartphone tray can accommodate two phones. I really like native navigation built into the X1, but you can also fire up Google Maps on the smartphone and double-check traffic against two sources. Although it’s at the lower part of the console, the charging pad keeps your smartphone in sight for a quick glance. It’s a way better solution than some charging pads that bury the smartphone so deep that it’s hard to reach. Even though wireless charging is intended to be safer, most people would probably give up on it if it tends to swallow your phone into the netherworlds of the vehicle.
The X1’s new panoramic sunroof is huge, with about 10 square feet of glass surface area. Fresh air is a button press away. The new roller blind cover for the glass roof has a multilayer design with a plush undercarriage.
Overall, the X1 seems much more luxurious than the outgoing model, and the manufacturer does a great job of replicating the 5-series interior vibe.
Easy Parking
A lot of people dread parking, and with the X1, technology kicks in and helps skittish drivers navigate challenging spots. BMW’s Active Park Distance Control features two sensors at the front and rear of the car. The Backup Assistant makes light work of going in reverse for distances of up to 150 feet by steering the vehicle along the same line it took when moving forward. The latest version of Parking Assistant Plus helps the driver park in spaces either parallel or perpendicular to the road.
According to BMW, instead of just using other vehicles as a guide to help the vehicle select a parking space and straighten when parking, the system is now able to take its bearings from the curb. Parking Assistant can be used both to enter and to exit spaces. It adjusts the steering inputs as well as the acceleration, braking and gear changes required for the maneuver.
Sum of the Parts
As the entry-level BMW SUV, the X1 has trendy and updated looks and the technology to match. If I were in the market, I would readily choose it over the X3 and save a little money. No vehicle is inexpensive these days, but the $46K price tag here is well worth it.
