2016 BMW X1 xDrive28i Review

Looking less like a hatchback and more like an S.U.V., the nimble X1 is strong contender in the premium class. If only its price were more in line with its compact size. Tom Voelk reviews the BMW X1 xDrive28i model.

[@richardupton19]

"Cold hands, warm heart" is by far your best line to date Tom! 😀

[@fantasyrookie8757]

I LOL'd at that too!

[@PhilipGarrelts]

First!! So glad they got rid of that wagon look!! It looks so much better and great review.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

If you're shopping for this, also check out the Porsche Macan- kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIeTnGyJg8Z8rdk

[@VideoProductions-zi3rl]

fantastic :)

[@varunpoojary514]

Super review

[@swanblake]

great job as always! Now if only they offered a wagon with a manual and rwd. One can dream I guess

[@hdca18]

Looking at one of these now

[@greglee921]

Hey Tom Volk Driven Car Reviews, Why haven't you reviewed the Tesla Model X? Id love to see your reaction towards driving the Model X Daily in the Seattle area

[@RaychelD2400]

Never seen this color on the road...it's interesting.

[@overtaxed3628]

BMW X1 entry level engine in EU is 18d (2.0 liter 4 cylinder diesel engine with 150 hp)

[@manishkumar-iq9tm]

My upcoming car

[@curseknight5]

Does the x3 have the same nimbleness around turns?

[@maestroadam]

A 4 cylinder, turbo, fwd, crossover... that's a BMW. Wow, where has this brand gone, and what the hell is it doing to the equity of its heritage?

[@stormdancer1910]

Adam Bernard But BMW is still the sportiest and fastest in the Segment.

[@caseymoore4759]

I actually test drove several of its competitors and a Acura RDX and the x1 imo was deff the most fun to drive. My wife even thinks it feels more nimble then her focus

[@jake2772]

It’s AWD my guy

[@headcas620]

Look at that blatant cost cutting on those folding rear seats. The bottom doesn't move down in conjunction with the back to create a flat load floor. The Equinox is similar and worst in class.

[@ssj4goldengogeta]

Hey Tom, I hope things are well on your end. I do have a question though. I was under the impression that the lexus nx and Lincoln mkc were more of acura rdx and bmw x3 competitors. Do they actually compete with the bmw x1? They seem too big. idk. I've seen journalists say one thing and some say the other.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Hey Deion, kinda sorta. There's some straddling going on in size and price. I find the RDX to be kind of big to compete against NX and MKC. Part of it is price too. In the end I would't get too caught up in what competes against what. It's all about what you need in your life. I got hammered because I said the Lexus RX competes against X3 since some think it's an X5 competitor. But X5 can be had with 3 rows of seating and RX can't. Again, not easily categorized. Does that help? X1's real competitor is Audi Q3 and Countryman.

[@ssj4goldengogeta]

+Driven Car Reviews Thanks Tom it really does help. I was thinking the same thing. I'd just only heard them getting pigeonholed into one competitive set or the other.

[@76carmel]

+Driven Car Reviews Speaking about the X1 architecture. Will you have a chance to test the Mini Countryman?

[@brucec43]

Awd dampens out much of the torque steer, it's not just for off roading or slick surfaces.

[@alexmiles1379]

Be sure to check us out at Classicbmw.com for outstanding deals!

[@shellcasing1040]

The model reviewed here was $45,000, which is roughly where the Mazda CX-9 tops up. Interesting. The later would be better, imo.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Depends. If you're a couple living in tight urban spaces, the X1 might be a lot better than a large three row crossover.

[@JMotorCity]

Does the MKC really belong in this group? I think the MKC is more along the size of the X3 and Q5.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

The MKC is four inches longer than X1 and 5 inches shorter than X3. Sort of a tweeter.

[@JMotorCity]

+Driven Car Reviews thanks for the reply. Isn't it past your bed time? LOL. Thanks again.

[@waynewilliams1487]

Like my Murano with V6 power -no premium gas needed with similar lar HP and torque without a turbocharged 4 banger pretending to be a v6. Turbos are great unless you have to 💰 pay at the pump.i think this looks kind of plain next to a muranoplatinum

[@MJ4cars97]

I'd get a Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, or Mazda CX5 any day over this...the more I look at it, the more I dislike the styling and the amount of standard equipment is stupidly low just like every other BMW(except M and 7series)

[@HodsBroo]

NX competes with X3, Q5 and GLC...

[@parajanoff]

with 17.7 cu ft of cargo?

[@brucec43]

Why exactly would you choose this over a $34,000 loaded Kia Sportage which is about $10,000 less?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Because there's a refinement to the BMW that the Kia, as good as it is, doesn't have. Yes, that's a hefty price difference but only the buyer can make that kind of decision.

[@mozillagenesis]

A badge snob would choose this simply for that white and blue symbol on the hood.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yes they would. They'd also get some excellent engineering and refinement.

[@oldschool1928]

It's called "snob appeal". Look closely at the affluent neighborhood Tom is driving around in, that's the target demographic. The nannies and cleaning ladies drive the Kia's. :)

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Hmmm, you would be surprised at the amount of Toyotas, Chevys, Hyundais, and Kias, found in those nice neighborhoods I visit to get running footage. One way to become wealthy is not to spend so much money on cars. And no, they don't belong to the help (one woman actually flagged me down to ask about the Kia Soul she was thinking of buying). Yes, there are some very nice cars there too but not as many as you might think. Martin and I were were just talking about it. Of course, this is Seattle where conspicuous consumption is frowned upon...

[@brucec43]

This x1 looks worse the longer it's around. At first I thought it was pretty decent looking.

[@venom5809]

Overpriced.

[@TheLifeOnHigh]

$3200 for keyless entry? And $1100 for a backup camera? B!tch please! BMW has lost their minds. I've driven compact rental cars with keyless entry and standard backup cameras. 😒

[@eleanormassaro5195]

you get more than just the keyless entry. This is the premium package which also gets the pano sunroof among other options with that package

[@stormdancer1910]

TheLifeOnHigh It's not just the Backup Camera. It's just Costa armond 450 Dollars. And it on of the best Camera in a car I've ever seen.

[@stormdancer1910]

TheLifeOnHigh For the 3200 Dollars you get the Adaptive LED Headlights the big Sunroof, Keyless opening and other options. And Keyless Start is Standart in this car. Just the Keyless Opening costs Money.

[@fat4o]

Not a real BMW. Shame that they are so greedy. Why would somebody want that?

[@stormdancer1910]

fat4o And it's still the sportiest small SUV in the Segment

[@MrAvmitra]

Car for little girls

[@macaether4320]

I’ll drive it 🤷🏿‍♂️ then give it to my little girl then