2023 BMW X1

BMW X1 2023 Review

No model has had as radical of a change across two generations for BMW as the X1 did. The BMW X1 is now in its second generation – code named F48 – but the bubbly little crossover “SAV” didn’t always look this way. In fact, the first generation BMW X1 was built on a modified version of the E91 BMW 3 Series wagon platform – sitting a little taller with slightly different styling. That was a fantastic product that showed the world BMW could do crossovers, and the second generation was aimed at taking that notion further.

This generation of BMW X1 was launched locally far back in 2015 as a fully imported product, with locally assembled variants coming a year later. It went from having a singular X1 sDrive20i variant to also being offered as an X1 xDrive20d (the suffix means all-wheel drive and diesel-powered), the latter of which was phased out when the facelifted BMW X1 was introduced at the start of 2020. Not long after, the X1 sDrive18i was also launched in our market, offering a new entry-level variant.

BMW X1 2023 Specifications

With two variants of the BMW X1 on sale, you get two different powertrain options as well. The X1 sDrive18i packs a three-cylinder, turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 140 PS and 220 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch type automatic transmission, similar to the kind found in MINI vehicles.

The latter variant is the X1 sDrive20i, which comes with the ever familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that appears in models like the BMW 320i and so on. This makes 192 PS and 280 Nm of torque, once again being sent to the front wheels through that same dual-clutch type automatic transmission.

There were all-wheel drive variants of the X1 in the past, both for the first generation and the current generation models, but they have since been phased out. In both cases, they featured a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. The platform for the X1 also saw a radical change between the two generations as it went from featuring a longitudinal engine setup (rear biased) to a transverse engine setup (front biased).

Measurements for the BMW X1 come in at 2,670 mm for the wheelbase, and 4,439 mm for overall length. The width is a decent 1,821 mm, while the height stands at 1,612 mm. As far as dimensions go, it isn’t the largest vehicle on the outside – but the platform changes offer it more interior space and cargo space. The suspension for the X1 sDrive20i is also a little stiffer, being passive M Sport items.

BMW X1 2023 Exterior

When this generation of BMW X1 was released, the direction for the model was more clearly defined over its predecessor – it was more rounded, more squat, and a little more bubbly than the first generation that was sharper and looked more like a raised wagon (we did love the way it looks though). This second generation model went full “crossover” in shape, and the facelift only further accentuated this with redesigned bumpers and trim for a more cohesive package.

The X1 sDrive20i comes with the M Sport package and larger 18-inch alloy wheels, while the X1 sDrive18i looks a little plainer and wears 17-inch alloy wheels at each corner. It also has unpainted body cladding from front to rear, and satin aluminium roof rails – not that these are necessarily issues, in fact looking a little rugged on this crossover.

BMW X1 2023 Interior

The interior of the BMW X1 evolved from being basically out of a 3 Series (no surprise given its underpinnings for the first generation) to looking a little more distinct – albeit closer in nature to the 1 Series. The typical design elements of a modern BMW are present, with a free-floating infotainmenet system sitting front and centre. The shift lever isn’t monostatic like most of the other BMW models, and the instrument cluster remains a more conventional dial shape than the full-LCD design.

With the facelift of the model, some material differences arrived – a stitched layer for the dashboard in the X1 sDrive20i, and a more conventional soft-touch surface for the X1 sDrive18i. The former gets brushed aluminium inlays, while the latter gets the gloss black that was also present in the pre-facelift model.

BMW X1 2023 Safety Features

Last year, BMW Malaysia announced that active safety systems would be progressively rolled out through their range, and that includes the BMW X1. Even the X1 sDrive18i variant gets front collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, cruise control with brake functionality, lane departure warning, high beam assistant, and speed limit info. This is consistent with the X1 sDrive20i, and sits on top of regular items like electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, and so on.

BMW X1 2023 Strengths and Weaknesses

While the BMW X1 is a respectable crossover, it’s hard to determine exactly where its strengths lie. It’s a practical model for sure, and it’s comfortable and behaves and handles like a BMW should – no surprise, given that BMW chassis engineers are capable of making almost anything handle impeccably. The interior layout is also far from bare, and the feature list is comprehensive enough for the money.

The weaknesses are the same – not necessarily obvious, nor objectively problematic. If there was one, it would be that the transition from the previous chassis to the current means that only front-wheel drive or front-biased all-wheel drive drivetrains are offered, and that makes it behave a little less playfully when you chuck it around a set of bends.

BMW X1 2023 Price

With two variants of the BMW X1 on sale, pricing is surprisingly tight across the range. The BMW X1 sDrive18i goes for RM 220,800, while the higher spec BMW X1 sDrive20i M Sport goes for RM 243,800. This is excluding the extended warranty and service package, that tacks on an additional RM 13,630 for either variant.

Pricing for the BMW X1 has jumped around a fair bit over the years. The first local launch of the X1 sDrive20i went for a staggering RM 279,800, but the introduction of the locally assembled variants saw that price dropping to RM 228,800 – with the discontinued diesel variant going for RM 255,800. When the facelift was introduced, pricing for the X1 sDrive20i went back up to RM 233,800 – before the sales tax exemption brought it down to the price you see today.

BMW X1 2023 Features

Keyless entry and start go without saying for a car like the BMW X1, but what would surprise you is even the X1 sDrive18i includes items like dual-zone automatic climate control, a 5.7-inch information display for the instrument cluster, an 8.8-inch touch screen infotainment system, a six-speaker sound system, ambient lighting, and electrically adjustable seats for both of the front occupants.

BMW X1 2023 Fuel Consumption

Surprisingly, both variants of the BMW X1 have pretty impressive fuel consumption for a crossover or SUV. The X1 sDrive18i returns a manufacturer quoted fuel consumption figure of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres, which translates to 15.9 kilometres per litre. The X1 sDrive20i on the other hand can pull off 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres – or 15.4 kilometres per litre.