Since its release in 2012, the BMW X1 has offered a combination of performance and utility to luxury crossover drivers looking for something with a smaller footprint. While that combination proved quite successful early on, the X1 had a rough year last year, with sales down almost 37 percent from the year prior.
After redesigning the car for 2016, BMW returns the X1 for 2017 largely unchanged, despite last year's tough sales. The most notable difference between the 2015 and 2016 models was the car's switch from a rear-wheel drivetrain to front-wheel drive (FWD). BMW has seen just how popular FWD crossovers have become in the United States and hopes the front-drive X1 will be able to make serious inroads in that market.
While the 2017 X1 will be based on a FWD platform, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) version will be available, making the crossover more appealing to those who live in places with lots of snow or rain, as well as those who enjoy light off-roading. Powering both versions will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine pumping out 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both engines will be linked to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
While the X1 will officially offer two trims—the sDrive28i and the xDrive28i—the pair will be almost identical, except for the fact the sDrive28i will be FWD and the xDrive28i AWD. Expect the sDrive28i to return fuel-economy numbers of approximately 23 mpg city/33 highway/27 combined, while the xDrive28i should get about 22/32/26. Not bad for a car that seats 5 and offers 27.1 cubic feet of cargo space (58.8 with the rear seats down).
Both versions come well equipped, which one would expect given the sDrive28i should start just above $34,000 (including destination and handling charges), while the xDrive28i should again top $36,000.
On the inside, the X1 will come with SensaTec seating standard. Other standard features include automatic start/stop (to save fuel), a brake energy regeneration system, hill-descent control, halogen headlights, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, push-button start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power liftgate, BMW’s iDrive infotainment system with a 6.5-inch color display, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, dynamic cruise control, and BMW’s Advanced Vehicle & Key Memory, which remembers temperature, mirror, audio, and lighting preferences.
BMW will offer a multitude of optional equipment on the X1, including the Cold Weather Package, Driver Assistance Package (park assist), Luxury Package (leather seats and upgraded trim), Premium Package (an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, panoramic moonroof, and LED headlights), Driver Assistance Plus (active driving assist), M Sport Package (aerodynamic kit, M sport suspension, and M wheels), and Technology Package (a head-up display, BMW Apps, navigation, and smartphone integration). Standalone options will include navigation, sport seats, smartphone integration, a panoramic moonroof, and a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system.
BMW will also load the X1 with safety equipment, including 4-wheel antilock brakes, dynamic stability control, front and rear anti-roll bars, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, a front and rear head-protection system, and knee airbags. To better protect your investment, you’ll also get a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and 4 years of unlimited mileage roadside assistance.
The BMW X1 is the first of the new front-drive BMWs to reach the United States. While the first model year of the new version saw tough sales numbers, BMW is betting the redesigned X1 will catch on for 2017. If you're interested in a small luxury crossover with decent cargo space and aren’t worried about BMW’s break from its rear-drive past, you might want to add the X1 to your car-shopping list.
BMW Dealer told me that it would cost $6,000 to repair the sunroof that didn't work and they blamed the water infiltration into the trunk on this. So dealer lied in order to do an expensive repair. However. now the BMW repair non dealer shops don't want to deal with the sunroof. They are telling me that BMW has a proprietary computer program that only they can access to fix the sunroof. Is this true?
How reliable is this car. Is maintenance price high?
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 205 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leatherette · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.20
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: ready
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 205 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: leatherette · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.20
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: alert system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: ready
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer