2020 BMW X1

Just because it’s not fresh doesn’t mean it’s unattractive. For 2020, BMW freshened its face with a broader kidney grille that reflects the massive kidneys stamping newer BMW models. There’s no longer a space under the roundel, so the grille looks as much like a constable’s mustache as twin kidneys. New available LED fog lights stretch the lower front fascia and in back, wider tailpipes also expand the X1’s sense of being. The cladding can be a bit much, but a black body can hide it and a white body contrasts it, if you’re into that fake off-roading look. Any other color costs extra. 

Inside, a larger display screen headlines the dash. Spend more for leather and wood trim to remove some of the entry-level materials, but that entry-level price is part of the allure. 

Generating 258 pound-feet of torque, the base front-wheel-drive X1 hits 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, according to BMW. Not too shabby. Add all-wheel drive for $2,000 and better traction in inclement weather, and that 60 mph time drops to 6.3 seconds. In nice weather, natch. 

The AWD system is front-biased but can send all torque to the rear wheels in a pinch. The 8-speed automatic seems like it’s in every BMW because it should be: It’s seamless under heavy throttle, smooth in comfort mode, and perfectly predictable in sport mode. Add the $4,650 M Sport and you get paddle shifters to toggle the transmission’s gears. For nearly 15% more than the base price, we’re not sure it’s worth it. For that price, and if you’re keen on performance, we’d recommend a 3-Series. 

The X1 handles on the stiffer side, especially with the optional 19-inch wheels. Stick with the 18-inchers, but consider requesting BMW to put regular tires on instead of the run-flat tires if you plan to drive aggressively. It’ll cost you $150 for the swap, but only because BMW makes you get a spare donut. They care about your safety. Perhaps.

Upgrading from black or white synthetic leather to more textured real leather and real wood grain trim will run $1,550 but will better represent your status as a BMW owner each time you get in the car. We also like the brushed aluminum. Either way, we want to smooth our palms over it and make sure the kids never touch it. But it must be bundled with the $2,500 convenience package, which is not cool, Bavarian bros, not cool. 

We wouldn’t fault you for upgrading to the $400 front sport seats. If you have a nice mattress, why not have nicer car seats?

Rear-seat passengers won’t complain with 37 inches of leg room, unless you try to wedge a third one in the middle. Behind that is a sort of hidden charm of the X1 with 27.1 cubic feet of cargo room, which beats every competitor we looked at. It’s nearly 3 cubic feet more than the next closest E-Pace, and nearly 10 cubic feet more than the GLA-Class. If storage in the small luxury crossover matters most, read no further: X1 is the winner.

The rear seats fold in 40/20/40, so the middle passage can haul longer items for even more versatility. Cargo space expands to 58.7 cubic feet with the whole row flat.

The automatic emergency braking system that comes standard on the 2020 BMW X1 reduced the speed of impact but did not prevent impact in crash-testing done by the IIHS. Other systems, including the one in BMW’s redesigned 3-Series, do better. 

Other standard safety equipment includes pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

Outward vision from the driver’s seat is relatively good for a small crossover SUV, but the rear sightlines are limited. Blind-sport monitors are not on the features list.

All-wheel drive adds $2,000, and any color other than black or white adds at least $550 more. The $4,650 M Sport package with adaptive dampers, leather upholstery, moonroof, sport seats, and some aerodynamic and cosmetic upgrades would lead us to other vehicles, such as the redesigned 2020 3-Series or the X3. 

Adding Dakota leather and oak grain wood trim gives the cabin a luxury boost for $1,550, but that must be paired with the $2,500 convenience package. That adds some things we like, once we get over being price bundled, such as keyless ignition, lumbar support, power folding mirrors, a panoramic moonroof, among other less interesting features. 

That gets us to about $43,000 with all-wheel drive, which would mean we’d probably add the $500 heated seats. 

Skipping the upgrades keeps us below $40,000, and that still includes three years of scheduled maintenance and a warranty better than most rivals, except Jaguar. This is the way to go for the X1.

If efficiency is a priority in your small crossover, the Lexus UX Hybrid could be your huckleberry. It gets 42 mpg combined or 39 mpg with all-wheel drive. 

Or be patient for the imminent onslaught of plug-in hybrids. No patience either? For now, the mechanically-related Mini Cooper Countryman SE All4 gets 18 miles of electric-only range and the equivalent of 73 mpg combined. Without the electric power, it is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. 

The X1 requests premium fuel.