Automotive
BMW’s X1 filled the final gap in the brand’s SUV lineup when it launched in 2009, offering a more compact, city-friendly take on the luxury crossover. While its exterior design closely echoed the larger X3, cues like the taillights and headlights borrowed from the 2008 7 Series gave it a distinct, upscale presence in the premium subcompact segment.
Built originally on the E90 3 Series platform, the first-generation X1 (E84) delivered a surprising amount of interior space and cargo versatility. The cabin featured high-quality materials, refined finishes, and solid technology options, offering strong headroom and legroom even for rear-seat passengers. When BMW updated the X1 in 2012, revealed at the New York Auto Show, it added sleeker design elements and mechanical refinements. Sales surged afterward, with over 150,000 units sold in 2013 and 2014 alone, proving its global appeal.
In 2016, BMW launched the second-generation X1 with a radical shift - moving from a rear-wheel-drive layout to a front-wheel-drive-based platform (UKL2), the same used by MINI. This change brought major advantages. By switching to a transversely-mounted engine, BMW could shorten the front end, push the cabin forward, and widen the doors, resulting in a roomier interior - a direct answer to one of the original model’s biggest criticisms.
Despite the mechanical transformation, the X1 retained its family DNA, wearing an updated kidney grille, X3-inspired headlights, and more muscular proportions. The interior also benefitted from improved ergonomics, smarter packaging, and modern infotainment - bringing the smallest BMW SUV up to par with the brand’s standards.
