- All-new for 2023 with bolder looks, grown-up persona
- All-wheel drive is now standard
- Potent yet efficient turbo engine
- Beautiful curved display
- Priced from $39,100 (plus $995 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See listings near you
The BMW X1 has long been a gateway into the German luxury brand, representing BMW’s smallest SUV and one of its best values. The X1 has always fulfilled its role well as it fought for its place in shoppers’ hearts and minds, not to mention its class of rivals that grow more competitive each year. This baby Bimmer was never exactly in the shadows, but now is the X1’s time to shine. All-new for 2023 with bolder looks, better technology, and a grown-up persona, the BMW X1 is also now a first-time member of the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award club. Welcome to the big leagues, little guy.
Mature Look and Feel
The first thing you notice about the new BMW X1 is its bigger, buffer design. Where the first-generation X1 that launched in 2009 felt more like a raised wagon and its 2016 redesign emboldened its SUV–ness, this third generation finally looks like an SUV that fits into its clothes, even if they’re subcompact clothes. It’s like the sophomore who returned muscled-up for junior year. Moreover, the update brings BMW’s smallest SUV into familial alignment with its bigger brothers, prominent grille and all.
The interior boasts an equally impressive update. Most notable is in the tech department, specifically a beautiful curved display that houses the digital instrument cluster and the central infotainment display.
Impressive New Tech
Behind that tech is the latest iteration of BMW’s iDrive, which controls everything from phone connectivity to climate and audio functions. It’s quick to get the hang of where to touch or swipe for your needs. Or, better yet, just say it. The X1 is waiting for you to say, “Hey, BMW,” and speak your command. We spent a day asking the X1 to do everything from finding the best route home from Palm Springs to tuning to Channel 32 on satellite radio — because U2 never gets old.
Equally as important when it counts is the X1’s safety tech. Standard features include blind-spot monitoring, frontal collision avoidance, and a new exit warning feature to prevent you from opening the door on that cyclist approaching from behind. Optional active safety and driver-assist systems include adaptive cruise control and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, which allows hands-free driving at speeds up to 40 mph on limited access highways. And here’s another, just for fun: The Joy Recorder feature allows the driver to record up to 60 seconds of high-def video “while driving through spectacular countryside or performing a spirited driving session,” as BMW suggests.
Peppy Powertrain
Of course, we can’t talk about a BMW without talking about its BMW-ness. The X1 again employs a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, but at 241 horsepower, it has 13 more ponies than the prior model and significantly more torque — 295 lb-ft versus the previous 258. Also new is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with snappy shifts.
A real boon for the all-new 2023 BMW X1 is standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Putting power down to all four wheels is a benefit whether you’re driving on slick pavement or doing the aforementioned spirited driving on back roads.
In our testing of driving the new X1 hundreds of miles, we found it enjoyable to drive (it’s a BMW, after all), yet comfortable and compliant. Most notably, it felt like a larger, more substantial SUV than its subcompact size would suggest.
The class of luxury subcompact SUVs is a highly competitive place as brands fight to get upwardly mobile buyers locked into their brand. As our Best Buy Award winner in its class, the 2023 X1 has good reason to tempt new and returning buyers to the BMW brand.
Photo Tour: 2023 BMW X1
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Our 2023 Best Buy Award Winners
- Best New Model: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best Subcompact SUV: 2023 Kia Seltos
- Best Compact SUV: 2023 Honda CR-V
- Best 2-Row Midsize SUV: 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Best 3-Row Midsize SUV: 2023 Kia Telluride
- Best Full-Size SUV: 2023 Ford Expedition
- Best Compact Luxury SUV: 2023 Genesis GV70
- Best Midsize Luxury SUV: 2023 Genesis GV80
- Best Compact Car: 2023 Honda Civic
- Best Midsize Car: 2023 Honda Accord
- Best Luxury Car: 2023 Lexus ES
- Best EV Under $35,000: 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
- Best Electric Vehicle: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best PHEV: 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
- Best Compact Truck: 2023 Ford Maverick
- Best Midsize Truck: 2023 Toyota Tacoma
- Best Full-Size Truck: 2023 Ford F-150
- Best Electric Truck: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
- Best Minivan: 2023 Toyota Sienna
- 2023 Best Buy Awards Home
