2023 BMW X1 Review: So Good, But So Un-BMW!

When BMW launched the first-gen X1 in India back in 2011, it became a crowd favourite because of its stellar pricing and brand appeal. The X1 established itself as the entry ticket to the glorified world of BMW, drawing ‘aspirational’ buyers outside the brand’s showrooms in queues across the country. The X1 was a mega-hit, period. 

The second-gen X1 couldn’t quite replicate the success of its predecessor though. The pricing wasn’t as lucrative, but more importantly, it had lost the BMW DNA. It went from RWD to FWD (although AWD was offered). The biggest problem with the second-gen X1, however, was that it never looked or felt special, compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. 

Fast forward to 2023, and what you see here is the brand-new third-generation of BMW’s most affordable SUV (or SAV). And with it, BMW seems to have addressed all the issues that plagued the outgoing model. How much better is it now though? Let’s find out.

2023 BMW X1: Design

Design is a subjective matter, and a lot of people don't like the design language of new BMWs, which is understood. In the X1, though, it works, for the loud styling and big nostrils bring some SUV-like aggression to the fore. It has a lot of presence, a lot of appeal. And for the first time, it looks like an SUV, thanks to a massive kidney grille, chunky new LED headlamps, and a prominent power dome on the bonnet. 

Even though it’s underpinned by a modified version of the previous car’s UKL platform, the new X1 has grown in size significantly – it’s 44mm taller, 53mm longer, and 24mm wider. The wheelbase is also up by 22mm (2,692mm). You will notice this change in dimensions when you look at it from the side. The design is more proportionate now, and its silhouette reminds you of the X5. The model on test here was fitted with the M Sport package, so it’s got sporty M-Design and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with a Nardo Grey-like paint scheme, which looks really good. At the back, the X1 features a stubby and rakish back with protruding taillamps, which again look quite sporty. If I have to sum it up, I would say that the X1 isn’t a pretty design, but it’s contemporary and appealing. And it’s likely to age well with time. 

2023 BMW X1: Interior, Space & Features

BMW has really hit it out of the park when it comes to the tech and interior quality of the X1. Without beating around, let me tell you that this cabin sets the new benchmark for its segment! The quality and fit-and-finish of materials are absolutely exquisite. Then, there’s the tech on offer. Like the new 3-Series, the X1 gets a curved HD display comprising two screens – a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital driver display. Not only does it look phenomenal but also works like a breeze. The user interface is intuitive, and the screen’s touch response and quality are the best in the segment. Plus, it packs a raft of features including wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The only problem, a minor one though, is that there are no physical buttons for aircon – everything is integrated into the touchscreen, and it takes some time to get the hang of it. BMW has also done away with the iDrive rotary controller, so you do miss that as well. 

Another big update is the introduction of a floating centre console. It looks classy and minimalistic with a few buttons to access driving modes, volume controls, etc. You also no longer get a traditional gear lever but a small button/shifter of sorts to do the job. 

This particular variant gets an M-Sport steering wheel that’s nice and sporty to hold. There are paddle shifters at the back of the wheel, although they are a touch too plasticky. Overall, though, everything in this cabin, whatever you touch, feels top quality. The X1 definitely feels like a proper luxury SUV on the inside, which can’t be said about its rivals. 

The X1 has taken a giant leap forward when it comes to cabin space and comfort. At the front, you have large and accommodating seats with electric adjustments and seat massaging function, making it the only SUV in its segment to have this feature. And it works well, I can confirm. The back seat comfort is equally good – the longer wheelbase translates into more legroom, while the headroom is more than adequate too. The seats offer great under-thigh support. The rear bench can also slide forward and backwards by 130mm, and you can also recline the backrest. The transmission hump isn’t that tall, and the third passenger can sit in comfort for short durations. On the whole, it’s a plush and comfy place to be. And the 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a large panoramic sunroof only elevate the whole experience. 

2023 BMW X1: Engine Performance

The X1 is available in both petrol and diesel versions. On this occasion, we were driving the diesel or sdrive18d M Sport version. It is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel unit, which is rated at 148bhp and develops 360Nm of torque. Despite being a diesel engine, it is surprisingly refined. Be it in the city or at highway speeds, you don’t get to hear the diesel clatter inside the cabin. The power delivery is equally creamy, and there’s a nice and strong surge of power. The acceleration isn’t urgent, but you can’t call it slow either. The performance is more than adequate. However, if you ask for more performance and drive it aggressively – revving it to the redline and all – the diesel engine gets quite vocal. The best way is to drive it without rushing things up. 

The X1 now gets a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Shifts are surprisingly quite smooth, and the ratios complement the diesel motor really well. The in-gear acceleration is strong, and you never really feel that it’s underpowered – the 360Nm of torque comes in really handy during quick overtakes. It’s an effortless powertrain and also quite efficient. BMW claims that it can return over 20km/l (ARAI certified). We managed to eke out nearly 16km/l, which is not bad for a BMW SUV that costs Rs 50 lakh. 

2023 BMW X1: Ride & Handling

The X1’s ride-and-handling is another of its main highlights. The X1’s ride quality is neither overly soft nor bone-jarringly stiff. Instead, it’s got a nice balance where it always feels pliant and soothing. At low speeds, it can thump over sharp bumps but otherwise, there is not much to complain about, really. 

The handling is impressive and predictable. Drive it normally, and it follows your instructions like an obedient kid. And even when you push it hard around a bend, it doesn’t get out of control easily – understeer sets in late, and the grip levels are quite impressive. The steering is direct and weighs up adequately as speed rises, although it’s not exactly dripping with feel. 

2023 BMW X1: Deal Breakers

So far, the X1 comes across as a complete package. However, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. You see, there are a couple of things that aren’t quite right with the X1. First up, the fact that there’s no AWD on offer. Sure, there aren’t a lot of buyers who will care about it in this segment, but since it’s an SUV, it would have made sense if BMW offered AWD with the X1. Both of its arch-rivals, the GLA and Q3, have AWD. In fact, in the Audi, it’s available as standard. 

However, the biggest problem with the X1 is the fact that it feels so un-BMW to drive. Make no mistake, it’s a great luxury SUV. But, again, that special BMW feeling is missing. The diesel engine offers adequate performance, but it’s not quick by any standards. And more importantly, I don’t think luxury car buyers today are interested in diesel, given the diesel engine’s bleak future. Even though we haven’t driven the petrol version as yet, I’m not expecting it to have earth-shattering performance either, for it’s a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo unit, which delivers just 133bhp and does 0 – 100km/h in a leisurely 9.2 seconds. To put things into perspective, there are compact SUVs in the sub-20 lakh price bracket that offer more oomph and better acceleration than the X1. I definitely feel BMW could have offered the X1's more powerful petrol versions in India because when you drive a BMW, these things do matter since the driving experience is one of the main USPs of any BMW. 

2023 BMW X1: Verdict

As an entry-level luxury SUV, the third-gen X1 has covered all the bases and then some! It would be fair to say that it has its rivals well and truly licked when it comes to the luxury SUV experience, especially inside the cabin. The only downer is that it doesn’t quite feel like a driver's car, which is what the brand BMW is known for.

To cut a long story short, if you want a luxury SUV, with luxury being your top priority, there’s no other SUV in the segment that does it better than the X1. But if you have something else in mind, if you want that BMW's drive quality and performance, the X1 falls a bit short.