BMW X1

BMW X1 generations at a glance

The X1 is the smallest of BMW's SUVs apart from the coupé-like BMW X2, and it sits below the BMW X3 and the coupé-styled BMW X4. The wider history of the brand is in the history of BMW.

First generation: E84 (2009–2015)

BMW showed the Concept X1 at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Development had begun in 2006, and BMW cut development and pre-production time by 40% compared with earlier X models. The production car shared its platform with the E90 3 Series and had a 2,760 mm wheelbase. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with xDrive all-wheel drive as an option, and the E84 was the first BMW X model offered as a two-wheel-drive sDrive. It reached the United States only in 2012. In 2013 it received a facelift with a revised exterior and interior, and BMW EfficientDynamics features on every model.

The E84 is 4,454 mm long, 1,798 mm wide and 1,545 mm high, with a boot of 420 to 1,350 litres. Its weak point was crash protection in the newer IIHS small-overlap test, where the old 1cars text notes heavy intrusion into the driver's footwell. In total BMW sold 820,529 cars of the first generation.

Second generation: F48 (2015–2022)

The F48 was presented at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2015 and built at BMW's Regensburg plant. It moved to the front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform shared with the 2 Series Active Tourer and the Mini Countryman. Base sDrive models drive the front wheels, and xDrive versions use an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch at the rear axle. In normal driving almost all torque goes to the front, and up to 100% can be sent to the rear when needed. The engines turned transversely, and the line-up added three-cylinder units and, later, the xDrive25e plug-in hybrid. China received a long-wheelbase version.

According to the old 1cars text, the xDrive20d used about 4.9 l/100 km on the official cycle and the 18d about 4.1 l/100 km. A six-speed manual was offered on the entry diesel, while most versions used the eight-speed Steptronic automatic. All engines met Euro 6.

F48 design, space and equipment

The F48 took styling cues from the X5: a wider kidney grille, headlights that meet it, LED lights and a roof spoiler. Buyers chose between Advantage, Sport Line, xLine and M Sport lines, with 17-inch wheels with run-flat tyres as standard and 18 or 19 inches as options. The paint palette offered 12 colours.

Although the F48's wheelbase is shorter, at 2,670 mm, rear legroom grew by 37 mm, or by 66 mm with the optional sliding rear bench. That three-part bench also reclines. The seats sit 64 mm higher than before, and the boot grew by 85 litres to 505 litres, or 1,550 litres with the rear seats folded. Compared with the E84, the F48 is 15 mm shorter overall but carries 200 litres more with the seats down.

The dashboard is angled towards the driver. Standard equipment included LED headlights, light and rain sensors, rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate and a 6.5-inch screen. Options included an 8.8-inch screen, two-zone climate control, leather, a head-up display, adaptive dampers, active cruise control and the Driving Assistant Plus package with lane-departure warning, pedestrian warning with city braking and Traffic Jam Assistant. The F48 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, a big step up from the E84's small-overlap result.

Third generation: U11 (from 2022)

The U11 stays on the UKL2 platform but grows to 4,500 mm in length, 1,845 mm in width and 1,642 mm in height, with a 2,692 mm wheelbase. Several engines have 48-volt mild-hybrid support, and the range includes plug-in hybrids and the battery-electric iX1. China builds its own long-wheelbase U12 version.

Compared with the F48, the U11 is 61 mm longer and 24 mm wider. Version-by-version data is in the 1cars specs database.

X1 dimensions by generation