2019 BMW X1

Overview

What makes the 10Best-winning BMW X1 so good? It's quick, nimble, spacious, well built, and undeniably upscale. The sweet turbocharged four-cylinder engine revs eagerly, and the X1's ride is comfortable without sacrificing inspired handling. Hauling bulky cargo? The X1 succeeds there, too, making it a true dual-purpose vehicle for driving enthusiasts with an active lifestyle. Exterior styling could stand to be more expressive, but no one will mistake the X1 for anything but a BMW, and that alone may be attractive to potential buyers. It's the whole package, and in this highly competitive segment, an easy favorite.

What's New for 2019?

BMW has made a number of features standard across the X1 lineup this year, including driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Navigation with real-time traffic updates is also now included, as is Apple CarPlay, but for some reason BMW requires an annual fee for that normally free feature after the first year. A self-parking feature is now a standalone option and costs just $200. The 2020 BMW X1 receives a mild refresh, with updates such as a larger grille and updated standard infotainment system.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Even with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the X1's not exactly an off-road champ, so we'd stick with the front-wheel-drive sDrive28i model. We dig the monochromatic look of the M Sport package and appreciate its sport-tuned suspension and more comfortably shaped sport seats. Other features included with the M Sport package include a panoramic sunroof, a racy M-branded steering wheel, and blacked-out window trim and roof rails.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Refined engine, peppy power, confident in corners.
Dislikes: Firm ride, disappointing steering feel.

There is only one engine and transmission pairing 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.

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 compact family hauler.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

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 as the all-wheel-drive X1 we tested delivered just 29 mpg of its 31 mpg rating.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Great driving position, well-connected infotainment system, loads of cargo space.
Dislikes: Interior materials are a mix of premium and cheapskate, infotainment menu structure may be confusing to some users.

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. 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 angle and reach.

The X1's standard infotainment system is intuitive enough, and it's easy to operate while on the go. 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 sound system are optional. 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.

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.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The X1 received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to headlamps that scored only Marginal in that agency's testing. Basic driver-assistance features are provided at no cost but more advanced technology will require adding option packages. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning
• Standard lane-departure warning
• Standard automatic high-beam headlamps

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW's limited warranty and powertrain protection are ordinary for the segment, but the company sweetens the deal with three years of free scheduled 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.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000