The BMW X1 is the perfect compact luxury SUV for anyone looking to get into a practical, fuel efficient, and reliable SUV., while still keeping the BMW badge. I wouldn't recommend anything higher (X3, X5, X7) unless your intentions are to get the 6 cylinder engine, or if you have a larger family or use the car to transport a lot of things. The 6 cylinder engine is fantastic for those buyers who are looking for that sporty feeling you get in the 6 cylinder sedans. But if driving the car like it's a sports car is not on your priority list, the 4 cylinder engine is a no brainer. It's got plenty of power to get through uphill terrain, snow, and muddy dirt trails. I have taken my X1 through the utter worst situations and it has never let me down. Even when a tire gets stuck, the xDrive is incredible and somehow I've gotten myself out of quite a few sticky situations that I know for a fact my other older cars would have been a gonner. For interior space and cargo capacity, this suv is truly hard to beat in it's class. The rear seats fold down 3 separate ways, and I find the most convenient method for road-trips is to put down only the middle rear seat. We had enough space to fit a large cooler, 2 tents, 3 duffle bags and 3 fishing rods with only having to put down the middle rear seat. I had 2 friends in the back seat and they said they had a wonderful ride up to the campground, with the ample amount of leg-room and the panoramic sunroof was very enjoyable. You would think that in a sub compact luxury SUV that you wouldn't be able to bring up 3 friends comfortably, but nope, the X1 has yet again amazed me, really doesn't feel like a sub compact SUV after all. For a young person's practical vehicle, to a car for a growing family (2 children) , this is truly a perfect SUV if you want practicality, style, and fuel efficiency. Unless my family becomes too big in the future for a 5 seater car, or I need to tow a 50k boat, I plan on only going with the X1 even when it's time to upgrade. You seriously can't beat it. They've also been making these X1's bulletproof now, if you go online for used cars you'll find a ton of X1's pushing 160k-200k km's , and that right there should tell you something about it's reliability.
At 2:20 4 liter turbo....you mean 2 liter 4 cylinder...You can get someone with the laptop, odbII connector and cable and the software. You can add 5 series functionality to things like disable auto start stop from ignition on...you can now program the mirrors to close when you lock the doors. You can program the door courtesy lights to go on when you're backing up. And you can modify the engine HP and TQ and add a BMS Cold Air intake for X2 M power....get rid of the run flats and run 19" Rims with low profile summer UH Performance and wider tires like 245 all around. Gives it a nice stance and better handling. You can program the rear side sensors to be more sensitive so that you get blind spot warning. Cars are all software today.
@@FamilyWheels no worries. Consumer Reports wasn't very favorable to this vehicle when they first tested it in 2016 however the new 2020 has a lot of built in features and has a better ride now. I also understand that you can now order electronic dampers too?
I don't think the M package is worth it on the X1. I love my 2018 X1 because I got a deal on it for 34K USD with a sticker price of 41k (SDrive, 19" wheels, parking safety and distance package). But I don't think I'd pay closer to 40k for an X1. I like it because it's almost like a little hatch, just with more room and practicality. The space in the rear is really good. Agree with the wife, the center console is lazy design. It could be a lot nicer
much agreed that the center console is boring and due for an update, the 2023 is expected to drop early next year starting in Europe, with the intentions to make the overall exterior longer like an X3 and offer 4 different engine variants, (Petrol, Diesel, Plug in Hybrid, Full Electric) I wouldn't compare it to a hatchback at all though. I drove a mazda 3 hatch and had a 340i gran turismo (hatchback) not too long ago. When I would pull up next to an X1 it would always trip me out because I didn't know if it was an X1 or X3. I think they did a really good job with the 2nd generation redesign, the 1st generation was way too small and like carwow said, looked like a tucan bird lol. The 2nd gen X1 looks more like a ford escape or a jeep cherokee size wise, sub-compact SUV but it's really not that "sub-compact" there's a ton of room vs it's rivals in it's class
Family Wheels to me it feels cheap. When you buy Bmw Mercedes etc the quality is high for most of their cars I just feel as if the 2020 x1 feels like a Kia. The car that I was driving wasn’t comfortable. Nothing inside or out stood out from the competition. Driving it on the highway the drive wasn’t smooth. Just all around not an impressive car nor comfortable.
The wife was very honest and the guy was very accepting of the comments his wife made. I'm going to test drive today same vehicle the X1 M1 but white so lets see how it goes...
Their idrive entertainment system in general is very bad. It lacks a lot of functions that you can find even in hyundais or kias like touch screens, big display wifi etc...
Thank you! This was super helpful! I’ve been looking for a few weeks for a cap at SUV and I keep coming back to this one because I think it’s the perfect size for me. I appreciate that you did this. Thank you!
@@briansuicorealtor-vancouve2303 100% agree with you. Ironically you have more leg space in the backseat in the X1 vs the X3 anyways, the boot space capacity difference is minimal as my cousin has an X3 and I have an X1. Exactly what you said, the key difference is being able to upgrade to a 6 cylinder engine in the X3. Funny though that my cousin now hugely regrets buying a 6 cyl, when he sees that my 4 cyl is more than enough to push through snow and wet muddy roads, and saves a huge amount of gas compared to the 6 cyl. X1 i find is also really nice maneuvering through traffic and parking in tight spaces, the U-Turns feel just as agile as my 340i. It makes it a very practical vehicle. My 340i which was 6.5 inches off the ground was just a touch too low on the ground to clear curbs when parking or rubble on the ground while driving, the X1 could be a little higher off the ground for sure but the 7.2 inch ground clearance is just enough for that peace of mind of not dinging the bumpers.
If you're going for the aluminum trim for the interior you need to go Oyster white with the leather. (I love crossovers and I've driven quite a few but hands down the BMW X1, if it's American Spec, is the best I've driven. I like it better than Mercedes and Audi's competitive version. To be fair though the Audi and Mercedes versions I drove were German spec and they're completely different vehicles than the U.S. versions).
Oh man, jealous you've got to drive different countries specs! That's always interesting hey. I really enjoyed this car too, more than I thought I would.
The armrest wirelessly charges my phone and I can errrr rest my arm on it....so that's what BMW were doing with the centre console. But seriously, I've test driven everything in this sector. For me the X1 is the clear winner. I went xDrive20i xLine.
See the thing is i have a 2017 x1 m sport top range, cant get any better. However I’m about to change cars. I have been offered a BMW X3 m sport x20d with a very high spec but i was then also considering buying a facelift x1 with the m sport pack and the blue but i dont think its worth the upgrade because the interior is out of date and exactly the same as my current car. Anyone have any opinions on what i should do???
Family Wheels lol yeah i thought so but i’ve actually just purchased a mini countryman cooper s sport! Love how funky and sporty it is. Brand new and top of the range with John cooper works package
Likely. This was a press car and had the suspension on the sticker price provided. Likely an added extra on top of the M Sport package. You know how BMW likes to option in everything.
I love my X1 but re the Apple CarPlay, it has the capability as you say but BMW charge for it in the UK. I think it’s the only manufacturer here that does. ☹️
Hi John, both Paul and Scott have stepped away for a bit to concentrate on the day job (this takes a lot of time and effort!). They may return in the future some time :)
I would also not like the centre consile if I was the passenger. 9.2l/100 might seeam like a good number to you. Maybe get that number down and you would be able to take more trips due to having more fuel. Lastly disagree with your wife's take on how "fancy" the X1 seems. If you make it too grand people wouldn't buy the x2/x3/x4 etc. It also helps to keep cost down making it more affordable to that few person looking for a good family car.
@@marcelvannieuwenhuizen5828 We do not, unfortunately. It's a common thing for there to be diesel engines in many cars in Europe but not in Nth America.
@@FamilyWheels thanks for info. In South Africa we would get a petrol X1 in 18i and 20i, strange enough with the 2 Series Active tourer, where they share similar or the same enjins had a 218i; 220i and a 225i. Always thought the latter would scare me. The diesel gives a good consumption anywhere from 4.5 - 5.6 on continuous open roads. This number can rise bit with greater traffic conditions. Do they build your Bmw X1 in Canada or the States?
The BMW X1 is the perfect compact luxury SUV for anyone looking to get into a practical, fuel efficient, and reliable SUV., while still keeping the BMW badge. I wouldn't recommend anything higher (X3, X5, X7) unless your intentions are to get the 6 cylinder engine, or if you have a larger family or use the car to transport a lot of things. The 6 cylinder engine is fantastic for those buyers who are looking for that sporty feeling you get in the 6 cylinder sedans. But if driving the car like it's a sports car is not on your priority list, the 4 cylinder engine is a no brainer. It's got plenty of power to get through uphill terrain, snow, and muddy dirt trails. I have taken my X1 through the utter worst situations and it has never let me down. Even when a tire gets stuck, the xDrive is incredible and somehow I've gotten myself out of quite a few sticky situations that I know for a fact my other older cars would have been a gonner.
For interior space and cargo capacity, this suv is truly hard to beat in it's class. The rear seats fold down 3 separate ways, and I find the most convenient method for road-trips is to put down only the middle rear seat. We had enough space to fit a large cooler, 2 tents, 3 duffle bags and 3 fishing rods with only having to put down the middle rear seat. I had 2 friends in the back seat and they said they had a wonderful ride up to the campground, with the ample amount of leg-room and the panoramic sunroof was very enjoyable. You would think that in a sub compact luxury SUV that you wouldn't be able to bring up 3 friends comfortably, but nope, the X1 has yet again amazed me, really doesn't feel like a sub compact SUV after all.
For a young person's practical vehicle, to a car for a growing family (2 children) , this is truly a perfect SUV if you want practicality, style, and fuel efficiency. Unless my family becomes too big in the future for a 5 seater car, or I need to tow a 50k boat, I plan on only going with the X1 even when it's time to upgrade. You seriously can't beat it. They've also been making these X1's bulletproof now, if you go online for used cars you'll find a ton of X1's pushing 160k-200k km's , and that right there should tell you something about it's reliability.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
@@FamilyWheels no problem and thank you for a great review, I really enjoyed watching. Subbed
The body side moldings are color keyed. What about the M brakes...I hear that's available now as well.
At 2:20 4 liter turbo....you mean 2 liter 4 cylinder...You can get someone with the laptop, odbII connector and cable and the software. You can add 5 series functionality to things like disable auto start stop from ignition on...you can now program the mirrors to close when you lock the doors. You can program the door courtesy lights to go on when you're backing up. And you can modify the engine HP and TQ and add a BMS Cold Air intake for X2 M power....get rid of the run flats and run 19" Rims with low profile summer UH Performance and wider tires like 245 all around. Gives it a nice stance and better handling. You can program the rear side sensors to be more sensitive so that you get blind spot warning. Cars are all software today.
Correct, 4cyl 2 litre! Slip of the tongue 👍🏼
@@FamilyWheels no worries. Consumer Reports wasn't very favorable to this vehicle when they first tested it in 2016 however the new 2020 has a lot of built in features and has a better ride now. I also understand that you can now order electronic dampers too?
I don't think the M package is worth it on the X1. I love my 2018 X1 because I got a deal on it for 34K USD with a sticker price of 41k (SDrive, 19" wheels, parking safety and distance package). But I don't think I'd pay closer to 40k for an X1. I like it because it's almost like a little hatch, just with more room and practicality. The space in the rear is really good.
Agree with the wife, the center console is lazy design. It could be a lot nicer
much agreed that the center console is boring and due for an update, the 2023 is expected to drop early next year starting in Europe, with the intentions to make the overall exterior longer like an X3 and offer 4 different engine variants, (Petrol, Diesel, Plug in Hybrid, Full Electric)
I wouldn't compare it to a hatchback at all though. I drove a mazda 3 hatch and had a 340i gran turismo (hatchback) not too long ago. When I would pull up next to an X1 it would always trip me out because I didn't know if it was an X1 or X3. I think they did a really good job with the 2nd generation redesign, the 1st generation was way too small and like carwow said, looked like a tucan bird lol. The 2nd gen X1 looks more like a ford escape or a jeep cherokee size wise, sub-compact SUV but it's really not that "sub-compact" there's a ton of room vs it's rivals in it's class
I have this car as a courtesy car from the dealership right now. It’s a shitty car. I would never buy this vehicle.
What don't you like about it, Eric?
Family Wheels to me it feels cheap. When you buy Bmw Mercedes etc the quality is high for most of their cars I just feel as if the 2020 x1 feels like a Kia. The car that I was driving wasn’t comfortable. Nothing inside or out stood out from the competition. Driving it on the highway the drive wasn’t smooth. Just all around not an impressive car nor comfortable.
The wife was very honest and the guy was very accepting of the comments his wife made. I'm going to test drive today same vehicle the X1 M1 but white so lets see how it goes...
How did the test drive go?!
what is an x1 m1? lmfao
sadly, lack of android auto is a deal breaker for me. I would rather buy a B class anyway, but I still dont get why BMW cannot cooperate with google
It's an odd decision hey. Smart phone integration is so important these days.
Their idrive entertainment system in general is very bad. It lacks a lot of functions that you can find even in hyundais or kias like touch screens, big display wifi etc...
@@JohnnyPlat85 It could be better, for sure, I think it's better than a lot of others though too.
Awesome! :) Waiting for the review on the new Audi Q3 as well.
Would loooooove to, have asked but, unfortunately, Audi have no press cars out west 😔
It's a nice car I would definitely go for it, especially the colour
Thank you! This was super helpful! I’ve been looking for a few weeks for a cap at SUV and I keep coming back to this one because I think it’s the perfect size for me. I appreciate that you did this. Thank you!
So very happy you found it useful!! Hope it all goes well :)
I have the 2019 BMW X 1 M sport and it’s perfect. Really no reason to get an X3 unless you need a v6.
@@briansuicorealtor-vancouve2303 100% agree with you. Ironically you have more leg space in the backseat in the X1 vs the X3 anyways, the boot space capacity difference is minimal as my cousin has an X3 and I have an X1. Exactly what you said, the key difference is being able to upgrade to a 6 cylinder engine in the X3. Funny though that my cousin now hugely regrets buying a 6 cyl, when he sees that my 4 cyl is more than enough to push through snow and wet muddy roads, and saves a huge amount of gas compared to the 6 cyl.
X1 i find is also really nice maneuvering through traffic and parking in tight spaces, the U-Turns feel just as agile as my 340i. It makes it a very practical vehicle. My 340i which was 6.5 inches off the ground was just a touch too low on the ground to clear curbs when parking or rubble on the ground while driving, the X1 could be a little higher off the ground for sure but the 7.2 inch ground clearance is just enough for that peace of mind of not dinging the bumpers.
If you're going for the aluminum trim for the interior you need to go Oyster white with the leather. (I love crossovers and I've driven quite a few but hands down the BMW X1, if it's American Spec, is the best I've driven. I like it better than Mercedes and Audi's competitive version. To be fair though the Audi and Mercedes versions I drove were German spec and they're completely different vehicles than the U.S. versions).
Oh man, jealous you've got to drive different countries specs! That's always interesting hey. I really enjoyed this car too, more than I thought I would.
The armrest wirelessly charges my phone and I can errrr rest my arm on it....so that's what BMW were doing with the centre console. But seriously, I've test driven everything in this sector. For me the X1 is the clear winner. I went xDrive20i xLine.
Wireless?! Well, I'll be. Thanks for the info. I enjoyed this car too.
See the thing is i have a 2017 x1 m sport top range, cant get any better. However I’m about to change cars. I have been offered a BMW X3 m sport x20d with a very high spec but i was then also considering buying a facelift x1 with the m sport pack and the blue but i dont think its worth the upgrade because the interior is out of date and exactly the same as my current car. Anyone have any opinions on what i should do???
Go the X3! Change is as good as a holiday!
Family Wheels lol yeah i thought so but i’ve actually just purchased a mini countryman cooper s sport! Love how funky and sporty it is. Brand new and top of the range with John cooper works package
I don't think M Sport package comes with M Sport suspension. Did you have to add it separately?
Likely. This was a press car and had the suspension on the sticker price provided. Likely an added extra on top of the M Sport package. You know how BMW likes to option in everything.
I love my X1 but re the Apple CarPlay, it has the capability as you say but BMW charge for it in the UK. I think it’s the only manufacturer here that does. ☹️
Yep, they charge for it here in Canada too. Not anymore in the US though depending on which model. It's a bit crazy hey.
Great job man
are you just crazy tall? Because you make this car look pretty small.
It’s very nice, but it’s not quite big enough for the price!!!!
this will be my next car! in a few months 💫🙌🏾
What happened to the old Family Wheels guy?
Hi John, both Paul and Scott have stepped away for a bit to concentrate on the day job (this takes a lot of time and effort!). They may return in the future some time :)
Is it a 4.0 L?
I would also not like the centre consile if I was the passenger.
9.2l/100 might seeam like a good number to you. Maybe get that number down and you would be able to take more trips due to having more fuel.
Lastly disagree with your wife's take on how "fancy" the X1 seems. If you make it too grand people wouldn't buy the x2/x3/x4 etc. It also helps to keep cost down making it more affordable to that few person looking for a good family car.
All good points! :)
@@FamilyWheels Might I ask, I assume you are in Canada?
Do you get the X1 in Canada in a Diesel?
@@marcelvannieuwenhuizen5828 We do not, unfortunately. It's a common thing for there to be diesel engines in many cars in Europe but not in Nth America.
@@FamilyWheels thanks for info.
In South Africa we would get a petrol X1 in 18i and 20i, strange enough with the 2 Series Active tourer, where they share similar or the same enjins had a 218i; 220i and a 225i. Always thought the latter would scare me.
The diesel gives a good consumption anywhere from 4.5 - 5.6 on continuous open roads. This number can rise bit with greater traffic conditions.
Do they build your Bmw X1 in Canada or the States?
Wow the new q3 is shitting on this. They gotta atleast make the interior like the new 3 series with digital dash and what now . This is looking old