Subcompact crossovers tend to be one of the most affordable ways to break into the luxury market, offering lots of features and the prestige of a sought-after brand. The stylish BMW X1 is a great example. The X1 was introduced for 2013 and redesigned for 2016. For 2019, it carries over with some changes to the standard features.

The X1 boasts BMW’s signature look and feel, complete with kidney grille, angular lighting, athletic-looking body lines, and premium alloy wheel designs.

There are two X1 versions available, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) X1 sDrive28i and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) X1 xDrive28i. Both come powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, yielding 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The sDrive28i model has EPA ratings of 23 mpg city, 32 highway, and 26 combined; the xDrive28i sheds one mpg across the board.

The X1’s trim levels are broken down based on drive type rather than equipment. For 2019, BMW expands the list of standard features in both models. Inside, you’ll find synthetic leather upholstery, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power liftgate. Options include leather upholstery; 10-way, power-adjustable front sport seats; heated front seats; a heated steering wheel; ambient lighting; a panoramic sunroof; a reclining second row; and sport seats (via the M Sport Design package).

BMW’s iDrive infotainment system comes standard with a 6.5-inch screen. For 2019, new standard features include Apple CarPlay, navigation, and real-time traffic information. Available upgrades include an 8.8-inch screen and a touchpad controller.

Though the 2019 X1 has not been crash tested, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded Good scores in all key crash tests to the 2018 model. A reversing camera and rain-sensing wipers come standard, and for 2019, the X1 also gets park-distance control and the active driving assist package with forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and speed limit information. Optional safety features include city-collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control.

For 2019, BMW seriously increases the X1’s value, making it tough competition against the Jaguar E-Pace and the Mercedes GLA-Class. The X1 has come a long way since its introduction and this year it gets even better.