2023 BMW X1 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2023 X1 feels more like an evolution than a revolution from the second generation. It’s still obviously an X1, just made stronger and more refined. The larger, squarer kidney grille isn't as startling as the grille on the BMW 4 Series, but it does signal that the new X1's front fascia is ready to accept more robust air that the previous model's.

The X1’s door handles are now flush with its sides, like the i4’s, and it now comes with standard LED headlights and taillights. The classic X-model L-shaped taillights get a new take here.

Previously, X1 shoppers had one blue option and eight variations on the theme of black and white. The 2023 X1 palette is a lot more dynamic. The 13 exterior colour choices include five brand new options: Blue Bay Lagoon, Cape York Green, Utah Orange, Space Silver, and BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey. Our tester was painted Portimao Blue, an extra-cost colour—only Alpine White and Jet Black are available gratis.

The X1 still comes with 18-inch wheels and an option for 19-inch wheels, but for the first time, 20-inch wheels are also available, offered as optional upgrades with either the xLine design or the M Sport Package. These larger wheels come wrapped in performance tires rather than BMW’s typical run-flat fare.

The xLine design adds silver accents around the grille, silver trim and mirror caps, high-gloss body cladding, and black fender arches. The M Sport Package, meanwhile, incorporates more body-coloured elements, as well as Shadowline exterior features that turn the roof rails and trim black.

Inside, the X1’s cabin has a feel that is, while not over-the-top luxurious, still distinctly premium. The dash is dominated by the large glass panel of the BMW Curved Display, accompanied by long, narrow vents. Physical controls are clustered at the front of the armrest, making for a clean, uncluttered interior design across the front of the vehicle’s cabin.

The SensaTec 2.0 seat coverings, available in four different colour offerings, felt nice and did not have us longing for real leather. Our tester had the M Sport Package, which adds a stitched SensaTec dashboard, more heavily bolstered sport seats, and an M leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. We also had the Premium Essential Package, which adds auto-dimming and folding side mirrors and a panoramic moonroof. The 10-square-foot moonroof is especially impressive in the smaller X1, and we liked that it extended far enough forward for front-row occupants to be aware of it.

The slim floating centre armrest looked sophisticated, if not roomy, and it did provide a handy storage shelf below. The aluminum finish on the sculptural interior door handles made the rear half of the cabin feel like a part of the overall design rather than an afterthought.

The newest X1 doesn’t just look stronger; it also gets a power boost that is arguably more significant than the car's styling updates. For 2023, the 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder engine gets a new dual injection system and revised combustion chamber geometry that allow it to make power specs of 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. That’s up 13 horses and a massive 37 lb-ft from the 2022 model year, and it means the X1 can now do zero to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and tow up to 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds). This is the first time the X1 has been rated for towing, and its capability already rivals those of not only competitors like the Volvo XC40, but also larger vehicles like the BMW X3. The X1 can now be optioned with a towing hitch from the factory.

An all-new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) replaces the eight-speed automatic transmission from the previous generation. We found that the DCT worked nicely on its own, and the paddle shifters that accompany the M Sport Package just made for a more engaged and active driving experience.

BMW says that it has upgraded the Adaptive M Suspension and damping systems for better comfort and stability. We’d agree that body roll was minimal—the X1 did not feel as tall as it is, even in cornering. The ride was perhaps a little stiff, even with the run-flats swapped out for performance tires, but it added to the sense that we were driving a smaller and more agile hatchback rather than a crossover.

Although BMW emphasized the narrow rear window as part of the design, visibility in the new X1 is fine out the back, at least without passengers in that second row. The rear windshield fits neatly inside the field of vision offered by the rearview mirror, and the large windows and narrow pillars provide nice views from the front seat.

The 2023 BMW X1’s Natural Resources Canada fuel economy is rated for 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.0 on the highway, and 8.4 combined, and Premium fuel is recommended.

Thanks to its larger dimensions, the new X1 is noticeably more spacious than the previous generation. Headroom in particular is impressive at 1,069 mm in the front row and 998 mm in the rear, trouncing competitors including the Audi Q3, Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Volvo XC40. Even with the optional sunroof, our tester still felt plenty spacious. The 2023 BMW X1 also offers 1,026 mm of front-row legroom (more than the Q3 but less than the UX, GLA, or XC40) and 939 mm of back-row legroom, where the GLA again has it beat. Cargo space practicality in the X1 is significantly better than any of those four competitors: 727 litres behind the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, and 1,619 litres with them folded down.

We were surprised to see heated seats listed as an option, part of the $3,400 Premium Essential Package. While this will also add a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and wireless device charging into the bargain, it feels a bit nickel-and-dime-y for a BMW. True, this is the entry-level BMW, but in Canada heated seats are standard on the Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40—and just about everything else, even in the mainstream side of this segment.

Our tester had the wireless charging pad as part of the Premium Essential Package. It’s oriented vertically, typically a recipe for disaster, but BMW fitted it with a clever clasp that holds the phone in place. Our phone began charging right away and stayed secure even while we were flogging the X1 up a twisty mountain road.

The new X1 gets the BMW Curved Display that debuted with iDrive 8. It integrates both the 10.7-inch infotainment screen and the 10.25-inch driver information display into a single sweeping pane angled towards the driver. We found the infotainment system to be responsive and easy to operate, if a little cluttered with the plethora of apps and other sub-menus. Voice commands worked well for things like climate control and opening or closing the panoramic moonroof, though the navigation system struggled to parse verbal inputs unless they were highly specific. The touchscreen itself functioned smoothly—we didn’t miss the old iDrive controller dial at all—and we had no complaints about the Apple CarPlay connectivity, and Android Auto is also included.

BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus is standard in the 2023 X1, including BMW maps and a Bluetooth interface. Digital Cockpit Professional is included as part of the Premium Enhanced Package ($6,250) and adds a full-colour head-up display and an augmented reality navigation feature. There are four USB-C ports provided, two in the centre for the first row and two at the back of the centre console for rear-seat passengers. Our tester had the optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (a seven-speaker sound system is standard).

After opening the vehicle with keyless entry, X1 is operated using the start/stop button that sits at the very front of the centre armrest/console and the new toggle-style gear selector placed just behind it. The toggle can be used to select Reverse, Neutral, and Drive/Sport, but not Park. The vehicle will automatically shift into Park when it’s shut off and will automatically activate the parking brake when it detects that it’s parked on a slope. Otherwise, if you want to leave it running with your foot off the brake for any reason, you’ll have to use the parking brake button. Also found on the centre console control panel are a volume dial and buttons to change tracks, turn on the camera, or engage My Modes (the My Modes buttons replace the Driving Experience Control switch).

In what’s new for 2023, active blind-spot monitoring becomes standard on the BMW X1. It includes a new exit warning function, which can alert vehicle occupants of approaching hazards to prevent collisions with the opening door. The standard front-collision warning system includes pedestrian- and cyclist detection with brake intervention.

BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional is newly available for the X1. This suite of camera- and radar-based driver-assistance systems includes speed limit assist, extended traffic-jam assistant, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with a stop & go function. The adaptive cruise control system makes use of the same route monitoring function that supports the traffic-jam assist and speed limit assist, and it is capable of bringing the X1 to a complete stop when appropriate.

A 360-degree surround-view camera system is available as part of the $4,200 Premium Enhanced Package.

The 2023 BMW X1 is also available with Active Park Distance Control, which leverages front and rear sensors to avoid collisions by alerting the driver or braking when necessary. Back-Up Assistant helps drivers reverse by simply retracing the route followed for up to 150 feet. The updated version of the optional Parking Assistant Plus can use the curb in addition to other vehicles as reference points. It helps drivers choose, enter, and exit spaces, and it can manage steering, acceleration, braking, and gear changes for you in the process.

The 2023 BMW X1 launched in a single trim, xDrive28i, for North American shoppers (alas, the electric iX1 will not make it to this side of the ocean, though the M35i trim is inbound for 2024). It starts at $45,800, or $49,055 with the $2,480 destination charge and other fees. In the context of BMW, this is a bargain: An X3 will run you at least $10k more, though a 2 Series has a similar base price.

Our tester BMW X1 xDrive28i—outfitted with the sporty $2,700 M Sport Package, and the $3,400 Premium Essential Package, plus extra-cost Portimao Blue—carries a new car price of just over $56,000 with fees.

In the context of compact luxury crossovers, the X1’s pricing looks less like a bargain, but it’s consistent with its competitors. The Audi Q3 starts at $47,165 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class at $45,000 before fees (which Mercedes-Benz Canada doesn’t declare up front). Both come with standard AWD and 18-inch wheels as well, though neither is as powerful: the Audi’s turbocharged 228-hp engine makes 251 lb-ft of torque and will propel the Q3 from zero to 100 km/h in roughly 7 seconds, while the GLA’s turbo-four makes 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and allows for a zero-to-100 time of about 6.8 seconds. The Lexus UX, meanwhile, is only available as a hybrid for 2023. With standard AWD, the starting MSRP comes to just under $46,000. The Volvo XC40’s B5 powertrain makes 247 hp and starts at $47,199 including destination. However, all of those alternatives offer standard heated front seats.

Shoppers considering a first foray into the world of luxury SUVs would be wise to spend some time reflecting on what they really want out of the vehicle. If it’s the cachet of the brand, a German option would certainly be compelling. If it’s some mix of particular features, you may find you get more bang for your buck from the likes of Mazda or Cadillac. Of course, if it’s prestige plus performance that you’re after, you can’t go wrong with the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Note: Images show a US model.