2016 / 2017 BMW X1 Review and Road Test | DETAILED in 4K UHD

The NEW X1 is better in almost every way vs the 2015 X1. Unfortunately it has lost the driving dynamics that made the X1 one of the most fun crossovers period. It's a shame but it's "progress".
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[@80sbabyagain60]

Thank you for this review on this particular vehicle. I'm getting one next month, and your reviews always help. Keep up the awesome work!

[@jaxxon4972]

Best car reviewer out there, good job Alex as usual.

[@dezzdev]

Extremely detailed review! Excellent work!

[@godfatherNYC]

Great review (as always.) I friggin love this car, and this color.

[@davidarndt9100]

Your the best car KZbin channel I've seen.

[@DronieUp]

Hey Alex, great review! Love the 4 panel split view at 12:10!

[@bird271828]

Alex, thank you as always for your reviews. I enjoy watching them.

[@MonoMoto]

I watched a lot of videos and I think nobody compare the models as well as you do ! Amazing job to give somebody a solid buying recommendation !

[@J.a.v.i]

This BMW looks much better in person then in videos or pictures. Thumbs up on the review!

[@fh2217]

best review i have seen. good job Alex

[@shauno3429]

Very informative review, thanks Alex!

[@gene978]

I noticed ALEX that you are so POPULAR and very WELL DESERVED you are headed to 100,000 SUBSCRIBERS I am so Happy for You Alex :)

[@tsun890]

Alex, great review as always! One little typo in the banner tho. It's suppose to be Audi "Q3" but you had A3 there. Got me for a second.

[@raymondchan65]

Thanks for the wonderful review Alex....Really appreciate the informative video :D

[@brandontrumble4911]

Great Video! Very imformative!

[@fsthomson]

Awesome job---thanks for the great review!!

[@JordsterMovies]

Another thoroughly informative video, thanks! I agree 100% with what you said about run-flats. They are terrible. I replaced them on my X3 after a year and it was like I cured the car of a disease. My new tires (Conti DWS06) provide a very noticeably smoother ride while also offering more grip, and 5-10% better highway mileage. Of course, now if I get a spare I'm at the mercy of a tow, but I've had zero blowouts in almost 20 years of driving. It seems that my punctures are always slow bleeds, so I'll take my chances.

[@azadr9231]

Incredible review! Thank you.

[@metalmicky]

Thanks Alex ,you can take a breath now! good report,

[@shanti3152]

Brilliant review Thanks !

[@funkmast99]

Hey Alex, I'm liking the latest uploads! I missed your videos over of the holidays. Any chance of you doing a comparison of All-Wheel Drive vehicles soon, maybe hatch/compact and crossover? I understand that most of California doesn't care much for such a feature but all of us up here in Canada have to live with snow for approx 7 months a year! Anyways, keep em coming!

[@azadr9231]

Very nice and detailed review. Thank you.

[@kaseis]

Great Job Alex.

[@hipposnakeyo]

Hi Alex, great review as always. How does this compare to the Macan?

[@TheGoozaflight]

Great reviews!!!

[@gopscreative3]

Top review as always!! Can you please also review BMW 328d?

[@draganstrajnic144]

Great review!

[@Numan87]

excellent review, very detailed and unlike others alot of background research.

[@g4m778]

This review is so perfect before buying !!

[@larsini0]

Another great review by Alex! I'm a 2016 X1 owner, fully loaded. Alex had a great review and I agree with everything he said about the car. I looked at the Audi but ultimately the fuel economy, less space, less neat features were a let down and why i went with the x1. The X1 is also redesigned for 2016 while the Q3 is going to get refreshed for 2017. My main issue with the X1 is really just a lack of Android Auto/apple carplay. Its not such a concern as of this writing, but I know it will be an issue in years to come. I also looked into the GLA - i really liked the styling, interior quality - but man it costs so mcuh for their options and a lot of them are half baked. the AMG is nice, but so much more money. Not a good value proposition.

[@mcdonaldnweze]

Amazing review

[@trailgnomeadventures5691]

well done, as usual

[@TheStr8line]

Excellent review here, thanks Alex. I'm a car nut and I thought I'd chime in with my thoughts. I just purchased an X1 partly because of their end-of-year lease deal. I am replacing our 2016 X6, and still needed AWD for our snowy roads and some utility. The X1 is a pretty big step down price-wise from the X6 and my other cars(M4, 2013 X6, 911) but I wanted to spend less on a daily driver and have something that my almost 16-year-old son could drive, and my wife also wouldn't mind driving. And I wanted something near the top of its vehicle class for driving dynamics. I considered a Golf Sportwagen of Alltrack, which are great but my wife didn't like the look and they feel much smaller than the X1 inside(I wanted a little more space). She gave her ok on the X1 though and likes it so far, even though she'd rather have a Range Rover, the new X5 or maybe a Cayenne. There's time for that later though! The X1's got a nice quality, upscale interior(especially in oyster) that does a good job of mimicking the look of the higher priced BMW's. And it's pretty sharp from the exterior- she didn't feel that way about the VW. Another other car she liked was the Volvo XC40 but the BMW lease deal was just too good to pass up. As a car guy who test drives a lot of vehicles I'd say the X1 does a good job of combining an engaging drive with satisfying luxury and good utility. It's nothing special but it is good for sportiness, luxury and value. Add to that covered maintenence services, excellent BMW dealership experiences(including courtesy vehicles), and you get the same treatment as buying a $100,000 BMW. There are a few things that could be better though. The standard seats are pretty lousy... way too short and too narrow. My dealer didn't have the optional sport seats available. I think the steering wheel should be thicker. And the "leather" steering wheel almost feels like plastic. But other than that the stereo is very good in its base form, it has heated seats and steering wheel, and a great moonroof/sunroof. It has good passenger and cargo space and gets decent mileage. The i-drive works the same as on our more expensive BMW's and works great. The engine/transmission/steering/braking are all quite good. And it loves to be tossed around, which satisfies that critical fun-factor. Overall I give the X1 a 8 or 9 out of 10.

[@brentreitherman5268]

hey Alex, FYI your link to the Q3 review at the end of this video is incorrectly labeled "A3." Great video though!

[@kokwah9]

Hi Alex. Great review! BMW has recently launched the BMW X1 sDrive18i X Line (A), 1,499 cc, 3-cylinder in-line 12-valve in Singapore. What do you think about this car? Thanks

[@oldben1800]

wow great review

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review Alex! I been waiting to see your take on this one. I actually sat in on last week at the DC Auto show. I like the interior space improvement over the previous one. I like the MKC as well but it seems kind of pricey and show its Escape lineage a little too well. IMHO

[@tarasyk2003]

im waiting for mercedes glc review

[@provincetown]

Great review! Quick question, for the ambient lights orange versus white. Is that a dealer option that you must choose, or can you change the color through the iDrive interface?

[@Northrendish]

I'm actually mad your channel doesn't get more views, your car reviews are by far the most informative on youtube.

[@sowjanyakalidindi]

I bought this model last week. Ride, handling and pickup is amazing. Only drawback is cabin noise. Definitely not as quiet as Alex mentioned in this review. This one looks amazing in person. Benz GLA is very compact and feels more like a wagon than a Crossover.

[@babajungLA]

sowjanya kalidindi Congrats on your car!

[@joecrap12]

Did you find a solution to the excessive cabin noise?

[@FREEYSLTHUGGER]

Try changing out the tires that helped me out btw!

[@askhowiknow5527]

sowjanya kalidindi None of those hurt my feelings

[@bmoreinvestor5900]

Pirelli p70s will make you smile.

[@Sica1000]

like the video. professional!

[@brucec43]

Alex, you may already have it somewhere, but a list of your favorites in each category would be nice to see.

[@fahdh2919]

This car is perfect for a city like New York. I just got this car in a 2016 model. The best part of this car is its sporty-looking, its AWD, and the interior finish is pretty nice.

[@Peter-cn4os]

I just bought this car. For me, the tipping point over the Audi was backseat room. I also found the infotainment system in the BMW a lot more intuitive.

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

Peter yo peter jackson

[@stonkykong5239]

Something to add to this is that the glove compartment is cooled so You can keep refreshments in there on hot days

[@richkid8954]

Really? I must check mine lol

[@pt2005web]

Hi Alex. I just got a 2020 X1 and found only 4 speakers (one on each door) and a sub woofer. It’s supposed to have 7 speakers but count only 5. Check want to see if you know where the other 2 speakers are? Thanks

[@matthewyim1736]

Alex, what kind of trim do we get if we don't get the optional wood trim?

[@joelyelcanio]

Hey Alex, when is the C-HR revue coming?

[@DarrenPersad]

Although this breaks a lot from Bimmer tradition, it doesn’t seem like a bad little SUV. I think it’s definitely more competitive than a lot of other entries in the segment. But everything considered, I’d rather it’s platform brother, the Countryman, or the XC40, if I had to go for a front-bias system. The outgoing X1 appeals to me a lot though, because it retains a lot of old BMW, from the basic, no-frills technology, to the comfortable, yet simple and quiet cabin. It reminds me a lot of the 3 Series from the early 2000s in all the right ways. Suddenly a 2015 X1 xDrive35i CPO isn’t looking so bad. Great review!

[@jo8919]

Does this require premium fuel? Also does it have blind spot monitoring?

[@tarassu]

Very good. Don't forget BMW plug-in hybrids when they will be available in US.

[@MrTaodai]

please do the bmw 4 series coupe

[@Peter-ok9bj]

Do you think that adding the 19 inch wheels will make the handling better?

[@kaysandavidson2440]

Please do a review on the Volkswagen Touareg R-line

[@judgedredd3686]

Are you doing a SRV review or a tech review

[@darexdarex]

Time for you to review the 2017/2018 F60 MINI Countryman S All4, and when you do, please heavily contrast and compare with the F48 X1. Thanks. 😉👍🏻

[@svdmaele]

But how does this car position against the Lexus NX ? The latter is more X3 sized but pricing is very similar to X1. I liked the seating position quite a bit more in the Fsport version than the sporty (?) X1 seats. Some magazines put them in the same category as well.

[@omarmannaa6195]

can you review the 2016 Nissan Titan XD platinum reserve

[@gino7869]

Will you be reviewing that all new Volvo sedan

[@hellobuddyRock]

No one talked about how to fold side mirror with help of Key in X1 drive 28i 2016. Could you please help weather its possible or not

[@marticztn8493]

Hello, is the ambient lightning on this car optional of standard?

[@terryfultz5231]

Hey Alex, isn't the X1 more closely related to the new Mini Clubman and not Countryman?

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

Terry Fultz go to club yo

[@ProdigyMan88]

+Alex on Autos, why did you say 0 to 60 was 6.2s, but in the end it is listed as 6.8?

[@andrewtaylor9799]

We drove Audi Q3 and BMW X1, and strongly preferred the BMW. It felt much more refined, luxurious, and was much more spacious. We bought the BMW.

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

ScarsdaleNewYork still not as fugly as q3

[@fer557]

Please do a Chevy volt 2016 review.

[@grahamjefferson4854]

I prefer this look to the previous model, although the previous was still attractive. Seems very robust in all comparison categories.

[@peterlongbottom8825]

Graham Jefferson i

[@musicloveranthony]

I think I prefer the CX-3 even though it doesn't directly compete with the X1 or the Q3. I think it's a handsome car and is very well featured. Only thing missing is the badge. What are your thoughts?

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

Anthony Levens hi camelo anthony levens

[@MistaRhoi]

Design pet peeve: audio power button icons that spin with the button. The VW Tiguan does the same thing. Overall this is a much better design than the previous model. Too bad they couldn't keep the elements that make it a more dynamic drive.

[@dygardion9130]

No mentions on adeles when we were young song selection lol? reasons why to watch his Vida

[@neversayjello]

why is the shift stick so unrefined? such a dramatic difference between my F30 328xi and this 2016 x1

[@250Pants]

run flats are optional in the US

[@brucec43]

This car has all season base rubber. Opt for the 19" and you get performance tires for better braking and grip. Just $565.

[@sgrumb]

I have this vehicle and it is my first BMW. I like it, but I hate the run flat tires on highway expansion joints, they are jarring. I test drove the Q3 and GLA and found the handling on this better than the GLA and not that much worse than the Q3. Certainly not enough of a difference to choose the Q3 especially with the cargo and interior room in the X1. I couldn't fit 2 golf bags in the Q3 with the rear seats up,. let alone a family's worth of luggage. Alex , I am in NJ and see the NJ plates. Where are you driving in the test drive? Looks like a fun run.

[@cpreid]

Agreed, Run flats stink

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

Steve G you can put many golf bags in the golf bro

[@A_guan]

Alex, how can you tell the difference between the sensatec and real leather seats?

[@twystedhumour]

+Tech Defender I drove a leatherette-equipped car for a day. Real leather "hugs" you; leatherette seats, however, felt slightly like sitting on one of those yoga balls...

[@kevxnle]

Can you please reveiw the Mercedes GLC??

[@kingreef2160]

how many color for that ambient and where are they in the car

[@stephanematis]

Alex, your click through list at the end says "A3" when you clearly wanted to say "Q3".

[@hardtymes4128]

I just purchased one

[@TimJoseph08031990]

Hopefully it has a similar suspension design like GM's Hi-Per Strut design for FWD biased luxury vehicles to reduce torque steer.

[@m.stewart7208]

how come you never point out if the glove compartment is lockable or not?

[@bryantquito6950]

How do your turn on Bluetooth on the BMW x1

[@marcluffy5161]

HOME RUN!!!! Love the looks and the econ and the power. The mini chassis made by bmw has done wonders for the pathetic first gen x1.

[@lyn66666]

According to edmunds, X1 stopped from 60 mph in 109 ft and q3 stopped from 60 mph in 122 ft. How did you assign those drive scores?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

We do our own 0-60 and 60-0 tests, in these tests the X1 took 128 feet to go from 60-0, the Q3 took 112 feet with the optional tires that 75% of Q3 models get.

[@SSS-mp8th]

I think you meant Clubman as the new clubman and X1 share platform and transmission. I also thought the engine was the same just downgraded for the Mini. The future Countryman will also be on the same platform.

[@mornelubbe9966]

Thanks for making it clear... My mind is made up why must i go and buy an other suv like cherry and so on for much more if i can have a bmw x1 for less the price.

[@sic22l]

I don't think GLA competes with the X1. It may be similarily priced but Mercedes is just smaller, it's basically a hatchback with more ground clearance while X1 is a wagon-like crossover. 23:00 It says "2016 Audi A3", not Q3.

[@darexdarex]

It's a mistake to compare this to the existing Countryman, as it's based on the old architecture; whereas, the F55/56/57 MINI models (i.e. the 3rd Generation MINIs) are much more similar to this car, with all sharing the same chassis, electricals, etc. The NEXT Countryman (F60) will be a virtual twin of this car, albeit skinned as a MINI.

[@karanikunj]

A month ago I was in market of my second car and I decided to look into luxury crossovers. What I found interesting is that a fully loaded Audi Q3 was almost $3.5k-$4k cheaper than comparably configured GLA and X1 and not ~$1k as you mentioned in this video. Q3 was undoubtedly a winner in the segment and I proudly own 1. I love the way it handles in the Rocky Mountains back country roads and love the quattro system as well. In your experience of reviewing both the cars (X1 and Q3), what were the features you liked in Q3 over the X1 other than what you have mentioned in the video?

[@Therealistjohndough]

Best overall compact suv. I would buy one if it had a zf transmission vs the aisin.

[@hattajafar4021]

2018 update do include change the transmission..no more aisin

[@namduong7509]

Carpeted cargo area. NICE.

[@chonaV]

Audi's are known to have a light and rough ride with numb steering. I'm not really sure how the Q3 can have better handling than the X1. The X1 hugs the road quite firmly, and does have that typical solid BMW ride quality. That's one thing I like about bimmers, is that, it offers a very solid and firm ride, yet it still feels comfortable and luxurious, until you opt for bigger wheels, which I don't, then the ride quality becomes a little rough. I bought an X1, and I am very happy with it.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Alex It's easy, the Q3 is lighter and had tires that are three sizes wider than the BMW. Since the X1 is no longer RWD there is no longer a dynamic advantage in the BMW.

[@chonaV]

+Alex on Autos US X1's are all AWD though.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Alex That helps of course, but it by no means makes the 2016 X1 handle as well as the 2015 X1.

[@chonaV]

+Alex on Autos I've never driven the 1st gen X1, so I could not compare them. But let's say that the first gen does indeed handle better, the new X1 is roomier, has a bigger cargo space, faster, higher seating position like a proper SUV, has a more quiet and luxurious ride, looks better inside and out IMO, makes the new X1 better than the 1st gen I would think. Plus, if handling/sportiness is at the top of the buyer's priority list, they really shouldn't be looking at SUV's since most of them come with FWD in this segment anyway. Nice review of the X1 though. Thumbs up from me.

[@simonbegue8118]

+Alex on Autos i am fan of this review but i'm not américan i'am french it is very good idea do a note because i see so many review américan i don't know the journalist says a good point are negative point so i'am very fan .Very good job alex

[@6SpeedTA95]

Should do an updated review with the M Sport trim. Would like to know your thoughts.

[@thistoob]

Thanks AoA for this review. It basically confirms our decision to get the Q3 after waiting for the new gen X1 to come out. While the BMW does have better performance numbers and fuel economy, in real life, it's wobbly around corners, is hard to see out of and claustrophobic in the back. looks are subjective but the X1 looks more like a station wagon now than it did before. Adding in comparable options, my fully loaded Q3 still came in about 5k less than a comparable X1. Money aside, the handling, back seating position and overall packaging makes the Q3 a better fit for us.

[@curseknight5]

Alex if money was no problem, and nor do you have children, would you rather purchase the X1 or X3 based solely on your preferred driving dynamics?

[@andrewtaylor9799]

Even the sport seats are too narrow. I am a fairly thin man (5"10 and 150 lbs) and the seats are uncomfortably narrow. Otherwise, the BMW X1 handles nicely, has a stylishly luxurious interior, is quite fast, and had very good cargo space. We have the 2017.

[@miatarome]

I agree on the seats. Did you get used to it?

[@stevenhaas9622]

Those wide tires on the Audi do come with a trade-off. In the snow you'll want narrower tires. those wide tires won't perform as well when the flakes start flying.

[@DarrenPersad]

That’s very true, but the Quattro system is vastly superior to the front-bias xDrive in the X1 in almost all conceivable ways. From personal experience, the Audi will still have the advantage, despite the wide tires. Bimmer’s AWD is horribly lacking in adverse conditions. Still, an experienced driver shouldn’t have issues handling either, it’s just nice having the reassurance of Quattro.

[@orangegreenify]

Man, I like those yellow US led backlights! We have far less impressive red ones here in Europe

[@sic22l]

+orangegreenify It's the camera, they're red on both sides of the ocean.

[@ILive2Smile]

+sic22l it's yellow lol

[@sic22l]

BritishBeats Nope. That's the camera.

[@orangegreenify]

+sic22l Haha yes i noticed it now. Thought it would make sense to have yellow backlights when some us cars have red indicators.

[@lucasproductions14]

BritishBeats I

[@robertehlers3757]

Why was the Lexus NX excluded from your comparisons? Just like the X1, it is FWD or AWD, 2.0 liter turbo engine, and from a prestige brand.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Robert Ehlers Because the NX is an X3/Q5/GLC/XC60/RDX competitor. Lexus does not make a vehicle targeted at the X1.

[@tirthb]

+Alex on Autos but it costs the same

[@sic22l]

+tirthb So is Volvo XC60.

[@cpreid]

Cuz Lexus are dorky soccer mom cars ?

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

sic22l so is x1

[@trefod]

I have begun to focus on chosen words in these videos. It seems everything is "a little bit", "an awful lot", "fairly" or "Incredible". I know speaking to a camera is difficult and it is easy to fall into repeated use of comparatives, so don't take it as too serious of a criticism.

[@leeritenour]

There is no FWD version of the X1 in the US?

[@sowjanyakalidindi]

+Yi-hsiu Li No. AWD is standard