2018 BMW X1

The BMW X1 doesn't have a whole lot of flaws, besides a steep price and lack of power upgrades. It excels ahead of the likes of Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA in many aspects. It may cost a bit more, but it has so much to justify each penny.

The 2018 BMW X1 is a compact luxury SUV that is available in two versions: the front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive28i and the all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive28i. A 2-liter turbocharged I-4 and an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission are standard.

Trims	X1 sDrive28i	X1 xDrive28i
MSRP	$33,900	$35,900
Features	Fold Flat Rear Seats Bluetooth Rear Bench Seats Power Driver Seat Trip Computer Post-collision safety system Multi-Zone Climate Control Power Liftgate/Trunk Stability Control USB Inputs Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel Auto Climate Control Alarm Automatic Emergency Braking	Features Include sDrive Plus: All-Wheel Drive System

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The X1 is incapable of any off-road antics, which makes the All-wheel drive version loses a little purpose. The rear wheel drive version makes complete sense and it well suited for urban use. Thus we declare our pick, the X1 sDrive.

The darling turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine revs eagerly, and the X1’s ride is comfortable without sacrificing inspired handling. - CarandDriver

Engine and Transmission

The 2018 BMW X1 uses a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates 228hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is paired to an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission that will either power the front wheels or all wheels, depending on your choice.

To save fuel, the engine has a start/stop function that shuts it off at idle. This may be good for the environment and your fuel economy, but the restarts are a bit jarring. Also, the engine performs much better on premium gasoline.

Models	BMW X1	Audi Q3	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA
MSRP	$33,900	$32,900	$ 29,950	$33,400
Engine	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/121	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/121	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/121
Transmission	8-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	7-speed dual-clutch automatic	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power	228hp @ 5000 rpm	200hp @ 5100 rpm	208hp @ 5500 rpm	208hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	258 ft.-lbs. @ 1450 rpm	207 ft.-lbs. @ 1700 rpm	258 ft.-lbs. @ 1200 rpm	258 ft.-lbs. @ 1250 rpm

The Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and BMW X1 lie almost in the same cost bracket, with $500 increments in that order. All use a turbocharged 2-liter I-4, but none can match X1 in terms of power. The Audi Q3 is only a grand cheaper than the X1 but is far behind the competition. The Infiniti QX30, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and BMW X1 all tie up in the torque department.

Acceleration

Be it regular driving or be it hard acceleration, the 2018 BMW X1 will always reward you with a smooth and refined power delivery with a good punch. The 8-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly, which helps the X1 to accelerate to 60mph in one of the fastest times in the class.

Models	BMW X1 sDrive 28i	Audi Q3 Premium	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
0-60 MPH	6.5 sec	8.2 sec	6.3 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter mile	15.2 sec @ 90.5 mph	16.1 sec @ 89 mph	14.9 sec @ 93 mph	15.3 sec @ 90.3 mph
Engine	2.0L I-4	2.0L I-4	2.0L I-4	2.0L I-4
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.8	7.7	6.6	6.5

The only compact SUV that stares the BMW directly in the eyes is the Infinity QX30. Though it is $4,000 cheaper than the BMW, and BMW’s engine has a 20hp advantage, it still reaches 60mph a couple of milliseconds before the BMW. At the quarter-mile mark, it extends the lead to 0.3 seconds. This is mainly due to the 300-pound weight difference between these two.

The Mercedes GLA, which was 0.7 seconds behind BMW at the 0-60mph test, almost catches up to BMW at the quarter-mile mark. The Audi Q3 is nowhere near the rest, being more than a second behind the QX30.

Handling and Ride Quality

If there is one thing BMW is known for, it is a fun and sporty drive, and the 2018 BMW X1 doesn’t disappoint. The steering requires a bit more effort than some rivals, but not oppressively so. It provides a good feedback and easily directs your car exactly where you want it to go.

Whether you go for the all-wheel-drive system or the front-wheel-drive, the X1 will be equally agile around corners. The all-season tires provide better grip than you’d expect.

Braking

The 2018 BMW X1 has brakes that match its acceleration. The brake pedal provides a smooth and progressive feel that is very easy to manage. Even after being one of the heaviest compact SUVs out there, it gives one of the best results in the brake tests. The xDrive28i takes an even just 109 feet to stop from a speed of 60mph.

Model	BMW X1 sdrive28i	Audi Q3 Premium	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Brake Front (in)	12.9	12.3	12.6	12.6
Brake Rear (in)	12.5	11.1	11.6	11.6
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3543	3483	3280	3296
60-0 MPH (ft.)	112	122	106	120

The quickest to come to a halt amongst the rivals is the Infiniti QX30. It takes just 106 feet to come to a stop from 60mph, 6 feet shorter than the X1. The Mercedes GLA is also on the slower side at panic stops, with a distance of 120 feet. That’s unimpressive but still better than Q3’s 122 feet.

The 2018 BMW X1 gets 23/32 mpg on city/highway. That is about the class average for subcompact SUVs. BMW doesn’t call them ‘SUVs’, though. They are called ‘SAVs’, that’s Sport Activity Vehicles. So given that the X1 is on the sportier side, these ratings are quite good. Choosing the AWD system diminishes the city and the highway mileage by 1mpg.

Model	BMW X1 sdrive28i	Audi Q3 Premium	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
MPG (city)	23	20	24	24
MPG (highway)	32	28	33	33
MPG (combined)	26	23	27	27

With a combined economy of 23 mpg, Q3’s thirsty engine is at the bottom of the efficiency barrel. The rest of the pack puts up competitive numbers. The Infiniti QX30 and Mercedes GLA both put up an impressive 24/33 mpg in city/hwy. The X1 trails closely behind, with 1 mpg less in both city and highway.

Many will find the X1 offers suitable levels of comfort, though some may take exception to its higher noise levels and the firmness of its standard sport suspension. - Edmunds

Seating and comfort

The 2018 BMW X1 is a 2-row compact SUV which can accommodate 5 people, although the center rear seat is a little raised up and would be a bit uncomfortable for adults during long journeys. The driver seat bottom is a bit hard and narrow and doesn’t provide much lateral support. Still, it remains reasonably comfortable even for long drives.

Model	BMW X1 sdrive28i	Audi Q3 Premium	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft.3)	101.2	106	108	104
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	41.9/55.6/40.4	36.9/55.8/40	38.4/54.8/52.1	40/54.8/41.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.4/55.2/37	37.4/53.6/31.1	37.5/54.8/49	38.2/53.1/27.3

The seats are eight-way power-adjustable in the front with SensaTec upholstery (BMW’s synthetic leather), and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. Genuine leather, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 10-way power-adjustable front sport seats, and sliding and reclining rear seats are available.

Interior Features

Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Audi Q3’s cabin:

• BMW’s iDrive infotainment system
• 5-inch screen
• Seven speakers
• Push-button start
• Automatic climate control
• Rearview camera
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Optional features include:

• Navigation
• Wireless charging for enabled smartphones
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Apple CarPlay
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• 8-inch infotainment display
• Panoramic Moonroof
• Proximity key
• Parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality
• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, collision mitigation braking, and lane departure warning
• Heads-up display
• Traffic sign information

Infotainment

Once you pass the initial learning curve of 2018 BMW X1’s infotainment system, it is quite easy to use. BMW’s iDrive technology is one of the most intuitive in the market and continues to get better each year. Its ease is further amplified by the integrated touchpad on the main control dial. The menu is straightforward and quick to respond.

The standard infotainment system consists of:

• BMW’s iDrive infotainment system
• 5-inch screen
• USB port
• Bluetooth
• HD Radio
• Seven speakers

The optional upgrades include:

• Navigation
• Wireless charging for enabled smartphones
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Apple CarPlay
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Satellite radio
• 8-inch infotainment display

Cargo

The 2018 BMW has the most spacious trunk in the class. The cargo space is nice and square-ish with a wide opening. There is no load lip to lift stuff over. You also get cubby storages, tethering points, and a 12V socket. And if that wasn’t enough, the underfloor storage is massive, too. The rear 40/20/40 seats can be folded by the push of a button.

Model	BMW X1 sdrive28i	Audi Q3 Premium	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Volume behind 2ndrow (ft.3)	27.1	16.7	19.2	17.2
2nd row folded (ft.3)	58.7	48.2	43.6	43.6

No other rival comes near the BMW X1 in the storage department. The closest is the Infiniti QX30, well relatively close as it is 8 cubic feet shy. After folding the rear seats, BMW’s massive 58.7 cubic feet of storage is more than 10 cubic feet ahead of all other.

The BMW X1 is an excellent pick for those who don't want to pilot a behemoth SUV, but still need more utility than a car typically offers. You should also consider the X1 if you want classic BMW driving dynamics in a lightweight, easy-to-park package. - Cars.USNews

Dimensions and Weight

The 2018 BMW X1 has a much more impactful design ever since it ditched its old long-nosed look. It looks much more stylish with its new strong lines and stance. The BMW is one of the heaviest compact SUVs out there.

Model	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Audi Q3 Premium	Infiniti QX30	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Curb weight (lbs.)	3543	3483	3280	3296
Length (in)	175.4	172.8	174.2	173.9
Width (in)	71.7	72.1	82.0	71.0
Height (in)	62.9	62.5	58.9	60.0
Ground clearance (in)	7.2	6.7	6.8	6.6
Wheelbase (in)	105.1	102.5	106.3	106.3
Track width (in) F/R	61.5/61.5	61.1/61.2	61.9/61.9	61.8/61.4

The BMW is about 3 inches longer than the Q3. It also has the highest ground clearance which enhances its rugged off-roading character. Although it is not as wide as the QX30 or the Audi Q3, it doesn’t interfere with the passenger space inside.

Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features include:

• LED headlights in Premium Plus
• Xenon HIDs in Premium
• Heated and power adjusting side mirrors
• Audi’s Side Assist in Premium Plus
• 19 inch 10 spoke titanium alloy wheels in sports plus package
• Standard 18 inch turbine alloy wheels
• 19-inch off-road design wheels with sports package.

The 2018 BMW X1 adds a rearview camera and rain-sensing windshield wipers as standard safety features. Optional safety features include:

• Parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality
• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
• Collision mitigation braking
• Lane departure warning
• Heads-up display
• Traffic sign information
• Automatic high beams

IIHS gave 2018 Audi Q3 their maximum rating of ‘Good’ in all their crash tests. The headlights, however, got a rating of ‘Marginal’.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Ratings

Crashworthiness
Small Overlap Front	Good
Moderate Overlap Front	Good
Side	Good
Roof Strength	Good
Head Restraints and Seats	Good

Crash Prevention and Mitigation
Front Crash Prevention	Advanced
Headlights	Marginal
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Ease of Use	Acceptable

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Ratings

Overall Rating	5 stars
Overall Frontal	4 stars
Front Driver Side	4 stars
Front Passenger Side	5 stars
Overall Side	5 stars
Side Barrier	5 stars
Overall Side Pole	5 stars
Rollover	4 stars

BMW X1 vs. Audi Q3

The BMW X1 has several advantages over the Audi Q3. They start with BMW’s powerful engine and nimble handling, Audi falls short on both accounts. BMW also has one of the most spacious cargo capacities in the segment, almost 10 cubic feet more than Audi. X1 also comes with a standard infotainment system.

Although Q3 can get an infotainment system with an additional package, it is still not as intuitive as X1’s. Audi’s ace in the hole was its luxurious cabin, but BMW one-ups Audi is this department, too. All in all, BMW X1 is just a better car than the Q3.

BMW X1 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLA

Although the Mercedes-Benz GLA is nicely outfitted with a comfortable and high-quality cabin, some intuitive safety features like driver drowsiness monitor, and an 8-inch screen as standard features, the BMW X1 has several advantages over the Mercedes.

Firstly, the rear seat space and the cargo storage in the X1 is way higher than in the Mercedes. The BMW also has a more powerful engine, not to mention a more fun drive. Mercedes’ infotainment system is good but not as intuitive as the BMW’s. The BMW and the Mercedes cost the same, but BMW provides a much better value for money.

BMW X1 vs. Infiniti QX30

The Infiniti QX30 is one of the most economical compact SUV in the market. It is almost $4,000 dollars cheaper than the X1, provides better fuel economy, faster acceleration, more standard features, and lots of premium materials. It doesn’t quite have the refinement of the X1, though.

The X1 is BMW’s smallest SUV, but in no way does it provide anything short of a true BMW experience. It is sporty, solid, luxurious, spacious, and so much fun to drive. The 2018 BMW X1 takes the best of the brand’s sport sedans and larger SUVs and blends them perfectly to create an amazing compact SAV.

But all is not good with the X1. It has no powertrain options and very limited luxury upgrades. Be careful, though. Opting for the options that are available raises the price quite quickly and before you know it, you may end up with an X1 that’s as expensive as the X3! But with all things considered, the BMW X1 emerges to be a better option than the Q3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLA. The Infiniti QX30 might be a better option because of its affordability, but otherwise, the BMW X1 is a class-leading compact SUV.