A raised ride height meant the small SUV had a feel of its larger X3 sibling, too, and put to bed previous accusations of it being just a ‘jacked-up estate car’. Moving on from its debut in 2009, the X1 received the usual mid-life facelift treatment, followed by an all-new model in 2016 which felt more premium and was better to drive. It was rather drab to look at, while its lacklustre interior and dreary diesel engines certainly weren’t of the calibre buyers had come to expect – certainly from a brand that took pride in making ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’. If truth be told, the first-generation BMW X1 didn’t quite deliver the goods. As a capable family car that’s still good to drive, the BMW X1 is definitely worth considering.

The flaws are minimal, though, and we’re so impressed by the latest X1 that we’ve named it our 2023 Small Premium SUV of the Year at the Auto Express New Car Awards. More expensive plug-in hybrid models are also available, which widens the appeal of the X1 even further, particularly for business users.ĭownsides? Well, the ride can be a little firm, particularly with the M Sport suspension set-up, and there are rivals that are cheaper to buy. The family crossover is more spacious inside with improved infotainment, while hybrid technology helps the petrol and diesel engine line-up to deliver even greater efficiency.

The third generation BMW X1 is the best yet.

Bmw x1 xline 2019