As a small SUV, the BMW X1 is roomier than you might have first thought, and the superb engines give this vehicle plenty of performance and efficiency.  It’s a winner on all fronts, and there are AWD models and a standard FWD version.  All versions have a petrol engine, with an average fuel economy range that sits between 6.5 and 8.0 litres/100 km, depending on the model badge.

Of all the BMWs available to the new-car buyer in 2024, the BMW X1 SUV has so much going for it.  This model rides well, is safe, and has very strong, reliable combustion engines that are very economical.  There is decent space for passengers and luggage, so it’s good for small families with a dog.  If you don’t need 4WD in the form of the xDrive models, the base model (sDrive18i) is a front-wheel-drive version that is smooth, economical, and a joy to drive.

The 2024 BMW X1 is a five-seat SUV and comes with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.  All models boast the sort of safety we all want: plenty of airbags, lap/sash seatbelts with pre-tensioning for all five seats, seatbelt reminder warnings, crash avoidance technology and collision mitigation, front and rear cross-traffic alert, vulnerable road user telematics with an auto emergency response call ability, antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, rollover stability control, electronic brake force distribution, lane departure warning, driver fatigue attention detection, blind spot sensors, front and rear parking sensors, front and rear cameras, central locking with key proximity, keyless engine start, a telematic engine immobiliser with a monitoring service, and BMW’s excellent driving dynamics.

Space in the boot is flexible, expanding from 476 litres through to 1600 litres, depending on how much folding and sliding of the rear seats you end up doing.  There is a neat under-the-floor storage compartment, some boot bins, tie-down hooks, and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.  As far as rear seat comfort goes, the X1’s rear seats can be slid forward and back, and they are both comfortable, offering decent space for the occupants’ legs, heads and shoulders. 

Sitting in the BMW X1’s front seats is an experience you really can’t fault.  From the driver’s perspective, the ergonomics, the seat comfort and the quality of the materials and instrumentation are first-rate.  The dash is elegant, the driving position excellent, and the X1 SUV offers the driver and its occupants a relaxed and refined ride.

Now let’s look at the models in more detail.

BMW X1 sDrive18i

This model is a really decent small FWD SUV.  It has a powerful 1.5-litre ULP (95 octane) 3-cylinder turbo motor delivering up to 115 kW of power, and there is up to 230 Nm of torque available between 1500 and 4600 rpm.  In reality, these figures make for responsive performance, BMW claiming that the X1 sDrive18i will scamper through to 100 km/h from a standstill in 9.0 seconds flat.  It can also run through to 215 km/h given the chance. 

Some of the sweet spots of the sDrive18i model is the marriage of the engine and 7-speed automatic gearbox, plus the vehicle’s overall accurate and precise steering control.  The engine and gearbox are silky smooth, offering fun performance, and the economy is quite remarkable (combined, 6.5 litres/100 km; highway, 5.7 litres/100 km; city, 8 litres/100 km).  The BMW X1 sDrive18i sits on the road well, feeling balanced and always in full control.  The vehicle comes with an active torque transferring system and has selectable driving modes.

The new X1 sDrive18i features plenty of nice things, including a multifunction control screen with smart device app display, connectivity, and integration.  Android Auto wireless smart device integration, Apple CarPlay wireless smart device integration, compatible device wireless charging, a six-speaker stereo, and digital radio should bring music to your ears.  Two-zone climate control, driving distance control, voice recognition, interior ambient lighting, stop/start engine technology, a push button engine start button, front seat arm rests, centre console storage, auto-dipping high beam LED headlights, see me home LED lighting, LED taillights, DRLs, an anti-glare rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, leather-look seats, a leather steering wheel, a driver’s digital instrument display with a full heads-up information display, GPS navigation, speed zone reminder technology with road sign recognition, speed-limiting functions, a powered tailgate, door sill scuff plates, a roof mounted spoiler, roof rails, front and rear underbody skid plates, and a nice set of 18-inch alloy wheels finish it out nicely. 

Options for the BMW X1 sDrive18i include an upgrade to a leather-look BlackVeganza material or MochaVeganza interior upholstery.  Pure leather is sumptuous, and Oyster leather, Vernasca black leather, or Vernasca Mocha leather can be chosen.  So can your selection of an interior woodgrain finish or an aluminium mesh effect for the cabin trimming.  A high-gloss black also looks stunning as trimming and inserts.  You can get a special metallic paint job with BMW Individual paints, and the set of larger 19-inch light alloy wheels with a V design (spoke style 867 and in a bi-colour style) looks rad.

BMW X1 xDrive20i

Yes, I could settle for the X1 sDrive18i SUV, but I can’t help myself from enjoying the gem of an engine that resides under the bonnet of the X1 xDrive20i.  I mean, this 4-cylinder 2-litre turbo boasts a healthy 150 kW and 300 Nm to play with, which is power and torque put out to an AWD system that gives excellent grip and control in the wet.  It takes a brisk 7.4 seconds to sprint the 0–100 km/h acceleration test, and it has a remarkable top speed of 233 km/h.  Its fuel consumption sees a combined figure of 7.2 litres/100 km or 6.0 litres/100 km on the highway, with 9.3 litres/100 km in the city leading the charge.

The real differences between the sDrive18i and the xDrive20i, besides the larger engine and stronger performance, would be the AWD drivetrain and the set of snazzy 19-inch alloys, which are standard but also upgradable to 20-inch ones.

BMW X1 xDrive20i M Sport

This model brings the M Sport touch to the standard X1 xDrive20i experience, so features like sports seats, M Sport badging, paddle shifters, a sports steering wheel, sports suspension, and subtle exterior tweaks make their appearance here. 

BMW X1 M35i

So you love the X1 but want the quickest model?  Well, here she is!  The BMW X1 M35i will be the one for you with its uprated 2.0-litre turbo engine good for 233 kW of power, and there is up to 400 Nm of torque (at 2000–4500 rpm) ready to swiftly pick up the pace when you need to.  The M35i model has a limited top speed of 250 km/h, and its performance is backed up by a quick 0–100 km/h sprint time of just 5.4 seconds.  Considering all this get up and go, the fuel consumption remains remarkably low, averaging around 8 litres/100 km.

Doesn’t it look awesome as well?  Sitting on 20-inch alloys and looking just as fast as it goes – splendid!  Some of the other things you’ll enjoy on this flagship X1M35i are a 12-speaker audio system, premium leather sports seats with a heating function as standard, the full heads-up display package, a glass roof, a dual sports exhaust, and its own tweaked active torque transfer system with various driving modes to suit your mood. 

The X1 M35i also comes with some options of its own.  These include an Oyster Vernasca leather interior, M Sport Pro seatbelts, special sports seats for the front occupants, painted brake callipers, the same black leather and mocha interior upholstery options trim as the 20i models, along with their woodgrain, gloss black, and aluminium trim inserts as options, but with an extra Hexacube Pale option for the interior trim.  You could also quite like to upgrade onto BMW Individual multi-spoke style 869 20-inch light alloy wheels.

There you have it:  The next generation BMW X1 SUV all laid out bare with all the essential information you need to make an educated choice.  Enjoy!

The 2024 BMW X1 SUV models include the:

• BMW X1 sDrive18i
• BMW X1 xDrive20i
• BMW X1 xDrive20i M Sport
• BMW X1 M35i xDrive

For any more information on the new BMW X1 SUV, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. 

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