The BMW X1 combines many of the things that buyers love about SUVs in a compact package, but its ride quality and infotainment system hold it back from true greatness. Even so, this little Bimmer returns impressive fuel economy and tops nearly all of its competition in cargo and passenger space. The X1 competes in an increasingly crowded compact luxury crossover segment that also includes the Audi Q3, Cadillac XT4, and Volvo XC40. The Cadillac and Volvo are both new models from within the past few years and the Audi was recently updated, so the BMW is the elder statesman of the pack, with its last major overhaul back in 2015.
Related: 2020 BMW X1 Review: Delightful to Drive, Confounding to Control
Are the X1’s virtues enough to overcome its rough ride and funky infotainment system? Follow the related link above to see our full review from Cars.com’s Jennifer Geiger, or keep reading to hit the highlights and lowlights below.
Here are six things we like and four things we … how to put this delicately … don’t about the 2020 BMW X1:
Things We Like
1. Solid Gas Mileage
The X1’s fuel economy numbers are good enough to top even the best of its competition. At 24/33/27 mpg city/highway/combined, the two-wheel-drive X1 bests the Cadillac XT4 (24/30/26 mpg) and Volvo XC40 (23/33/27 mpg). Adding all-wheel drive to the mix doesn’t completely kill fuel economy, either, as the X1 suffers just a 1-mpg penalty on its combined ratings.
2. Actually Useful Drive Modes
Selectable drive modes sometimes don’t do much to change a vehicle’s behavior, but the execution in the X1 is spot on. Sport mode sharpens throttle and steering response, while Eco mode softens everything up for a more efficient drive.
3. Spacious Interior
Compact sometimes really does mean compact, but the X1’s interior dimensions are at odds with its diminutive exterior appearances. In the backseat, the X1 sports more headroom than its competition, and only the XT4 tops it for rear legroom. Parents will love the large rear door openings and the fact that there’s enough second-row room to reasonably accommodate even the space-hoggy rear-facing convertible car seat we used in our testing.
4. Generous Safety Features
The X1 earns its money where it counts — and one of those places is safety equipment. The list of standard safety features includes automatic emergency braking, low-speed forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings and automatic high-beam headlights. One oversight is that there’s no option to even add blind spot monitors, and the other safety options quickly add zeroes to the price tag, though BMW isn’t as stingy here as we’ve seen with some brands.
5. Deluxe Interior
Though it’s far from the most expensive BMW you can buy today, the X1 has an interior that stands up to the scrutiny that buyers give to pricey luxury vehicles. Leather upholstery and glossy wood paneling highlight the premium-feeling cabin, and the use of cheaper plastic bits has been kept to a tasteful minimum.
6. Entertaining Driving Experience
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the X1 we tested was snappy and responsive, and matched well with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The X1 boasts a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds in all-wheel-drive versions, while the two-wheel-drive version takes 6.6 seconds.
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Things We Don’t
1. Quirky Infotainment
Last year’s optional 8.8-inch screen became standard kit for the 2020 X1, but the larger screen just gives more real estate to the confounding infotainment software. Apple CarPlay is on board, but there’s no Android Auto, and combining the control of nearly all of the vehicle’s multimedia functions into one rotary knob makes for one confusing experience. Navigation, radio, phone and several important vehicle functions are all handled by a single knob located in the center console. Some drivers will have trouble reaching the knob, some will be irritated by the lack of Android Auto — but everyone will be distracted with the overly complicated control system.
2. Quickly Growing Price Tag
The X1’s base price of $36,195 sounds like a value, but that’s before all-wheel drive is added and does not include key safety and features; it’s also more than the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40. Adding features such as navigation and a head-up display with the Premium Package will bump the price by $5,000, and to add a panoramic moonroof, buyers will have to step up to the $2,550 Convenience Package.
3. Iffy Crash-Test Scores
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the X1 five stars and it earned top crashworthiness scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But the X1 failed to pass the latter organization’s vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test, disqualifying it from an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus designation.
4. Clunky Powertrain Functions
Stop-start systems can be awkward if not done just right, and the X1’s system can use some improvement. The rest of the powertrain is smooth and responsive, but the system is clunky and noisy when starting back up from a stop.
5. Stiff Ride and Noisy Cabin
The X1’s sporty and engaging driving experience, unfortunately, comes at the expense of comfort and ride quality. Bumpy and uneven roads wreak havoc with the X1’s suspension, making for a jittery ride in some circumstances. If the bumpy ride doesn’t irritate you, there’s a good chance that road and wind noise will. Noise insulation could be much better and allows much more interference into the cabin than we’d expect from a BMW.
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