BMW X1

The 2024 BMW X1 has a classy interior. The seats, upholstery, and steering wheel are either leather or smooth leatherette. The dashboard gets a number of high-quality bits like double-stitched leather, and strips of chrome and brushed aluminium on the central console. A textured metallic band runs right across. The dashboard can be had in aluminium or wood effect, or piano black plastic. There are some scratchier plastics down under. The centrepiece of the cabin are two conjoined touchscreens. A 10.7-inch unit is for infotainment and is connected to a multi-speaker audio system. The 10.25-inch touchscreen unit is for the driver's information display. Both run on BMW's iDrive 9 system. The fonts and icons are large and easy to navigate. The 2024 BMW X1 comes with dual-zone automatic climate control (with physical buttons), ambient lighting, and a powered liftgate. Switching drive modes is now through a button on the central console. The car gets 540 litres of boot space with all seats up.

The front fascia of the 2024 BMW X1 is dominated by a huge, chrome kidney grille. It's flanked by twin headlight-like lighting elements. The car gets all-around LED lighting. The automatic, adaptive LED headlights are the first in the segment. The square chin lower down looks purposeful. There are provisions for air curtains that direct the airflow around the front tires. The rear part is sculpted out and looks really attractive. A large spoiler extends far out. The taillights get three-dimensional elements. The shark-fin antenna is gone after the upgrade. The 2024 BMW X1 is mounted on the company's new front-wheel-drive architecture. The new platform is much wider and utilises space better. It can accommodate all new driver-assist systems connected tech, and even a full-sized electronic vehicle (EV) battery. The car runs on 19-inch alloy wheels. 

The cabin of the 2024 BMW X1 is spacious for its size. The two front seats get electrical adjustment and the driver can easily find the most comfortable driving position with the steering wheel's reach and angle alteration. None of the seats in the BMW X1 have a cooling function. But they do get massage functions. Rear seat comfort is among the best in class. There's plenty of legroom even if the front passengers push their seats back. There's a lot of headroom as well, along with generous under-thigh support. The rear seat can be pushed back by 130mm to get more legroom. The backrest is reclinable, too. Suspension is a bit stiff but improves when the car goes faster. The ride is mostly flat.

The 2024 BMW X1 sDrive 20i is hauled by a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 184 PS/270 Nm. The motor is mated to an 8-speed automatic. The most compact SUV from BMW drives pretty well around town. It never feels too large on smaller streets, though it has grown in comparison to the earlier generation. The light steering helps in easy manoeuvring. The large A-pillars block some of the front-corner views, but all-round visibility is still good. There's a bit of engine noise during hard acceleration, but that doesn't upset the drive quality.

The 2024 BMW X1 comes with a rearview camera and attentiveness assist. Other equipment includes BMW’s active guard emergency braking system, cruise control, parking sensors, and multiple airbags. The Continental EcoContact 6Q tires have great road grip.

The 2024 BMW X1 looks larger than most compact SUVs. It's competitively priced in its segment. It comes with a spacious and premium cabin, lots of tech features and offers a comfortable ride. The 2024 BMW X1 is a compelling buy for those who want a premium compact SUV.