2019 BMW X1 Pros vs Cons

As far as five-seat compact luxury SUVs go, the 2019 BMW X1 promises to be stiff competition for the model year. With two different versions available and a lot of packages and stand-alone options that can be added on, it is easy for drivers to customize their X1. However, doing so will cost a lot of extra money, and there are some ride quality issues that might have consumers looking at other options.

What's New for 2019?

Not a whole lot has been changed on the 2019 BMW X1. Minimal changes have been made to the exterior of the vehicle and to the list of standard safety and infotainment features. Otherwise, expect a near carbon copy of the 2018 model - not that there is anything wrong with that, as the 2018 model offered many wonderful things.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2019 BMW X1 – The Pros

1. Swift Acceleration

Acceleration on the 2019 BMW X1 is speedy and is some of the best you can get in its class. In fact, the X1 can get from 0 to 60 mph in just about 6.5 seconds, which even is faster than some sedans. The pairing of the 8-speed automatic transmission with the turbocharged engine (which is capable of getting 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque) helps the X1 achieve a good amount of power while still providing seamless shifts between the gears.

2. Brakes That Feel Secure

The new BMW X1 has brakes that outperform a lot of their competition. Braking in heavy traffic feels quite secure, and there is an overall smooth feeling to the braking performance regardless of the vehicle's speed. Rather remarkably, the X1 has a short stopping distance of just 109 feet, making it one of the smallest stopping distances in its entire segment.

3. A Spacious Interior

Room inside of the 2019 BMW X1 is plenty generous, whether you are seated up front or in the rear. This five-seater will not leave any passenger, large or small, feeling cramped for head, shoulder, hip, or leg room. Up in the front, you can configure the seats to a number of different positions in order to maximize your space and comfort. The rear seats have best-in-class space that will leave taller adults feeling quite capable of stretching out their legs to relax during a long ride.

4. Controls That Are Easy to Use

Almost all of the controls that you will find on the BMW X1 are easy to use, even for drivers who do not consider themselves to be too technologically savvy. Even the touchscreen display, which is laid out smack-dab in the center of the dash (making it quite easy to reach), has controls that make sense. Each control is clearly marked, so there is no guesswork as to what it is supposed to do.

5. A High-Quality Vibe

There is no doubt that the 2019 BMW X1 is a luxury vehicle. The quality of materials used to construct the cabin alone do a great job at reflecting this high degree of sophistication. There are no noticeable gaps between any of the surfaces, and the leather upholstery and trim used throughout the cabin is well-stitched and refined. The aluminum that you will find within the cabin also looks high-quality and works well with the rest of the materials used.

6. Plenty of Cargo Space

Need a lot of extra cargo space? The BMW X1 gets another best-in-class mark for having the most cargo space you can find on a vehicle in its segment. With the rear seats in place, the X1 offers 27.1 cubic feet of cargo space. If you fold the seats down, you can maximize this number to an impressive 58.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats fold completely flat, and there is extra room for storage underneath the floor since a spare tire is not placed there.

7. Excellent Outward Visibility

Forward visibility is wide open and clear thanks to the massive windshield and slender enough roof pillars. The pillars in the rear are a little bit thick, but they do not limit too much visibility on the 2019 BMW X1. Besides, there is plenty of advanced driver technology that can aid with rear-view vision.

8. An All-wheel Drive Option

The BMW X1 comes with two drivetrain otions: the X1 sDrive28i (which has front-wheel drive) and the X1 xDrive28i (which gives you all-wheel drive). Although there are a lot of drivers who will want to stick with the sDrive28i, those who live in areas where there is a lot of rain and/or snow will appreciate the amount of security they get from the xDrive28i. Not only do the all-season tires give an unprecedented amount of road grip, but the all-wheel drive actually makes handling sharp turns feel a lot smoother.

9. The Base Trim's Value

With the 2019 BMW X1, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Just going with the standard equipment gets you a fantastic powertrain, 18-inch wheels, memory settings for the driver's seat, a 7-speaker sound system, and keyless ignition, just to name a few things. Overall, for a luxury vehicle, you are getting a pretty solid deal on a lot of desirable features.

10. The M Sport Design

One of the packages that really adds a lot of spunk to the driving experience is the M Sport Design. This gives the X1 the Convenience Package that is optional on the xLine Design (and features adjustable lumbar support up front as well as ambient lighting throughout the cabin). It also adds upgraded 18-inch wheels, sport seats up front, and a sport-tuned suspension.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2019 BMW X1 – The Cons

1. A Rough Ride Quality

Unfortunately, the main issue with the 2019 BMW X1 is that it lacks a totally smooth ride quality you'd expect from a luxury vehicle. This vehicle has an especially firm ride that very few drivers will enjoy. The X1 fails to adequately absorb bumps in the road, and the ride quality gets busy to the point of being obnoxious if you are not driving on a totally flat surface.

2. Uncomfortable Seats

There is a serious lack of lateral support on the seats, and the seat bottoms up front have a rather stiff quality to their padding. While the backs of the seats feel like they are better bolstered, it is curious that so little attention was paid to the seat bottoms. The same can be said of the rear seats too.

3. A Noisy Cabin

A lot of noise seeps into the cabin from the tires and road, even though the engine purrs like a kitten. The 2019 BMW X1 just does not feel like it is that well insulated from outside noise, although this seems to be a common issue throughout the segment. Still, as a luxury vehicle, the amount of road and tire noise you get does not feel too luxurious.

4. Options Get Expensive

The more options you add onto the BMW X1, the more expensive the vehicle will become. A lot of the options that drivers will want are stand-alones, so tacking each one on to the build can really raise the price tag. Consumers will have to construct their new models with care if they are on a budget.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2019 BMW X1 vs. 2019 Volvo XC60

The 2019 Volvo XC60 is a fun and affordable alternative to the 2019 BMW X1. Its interior rivals that of the X1 in terms of class, and the powertrain options are also strong. The touchscreen display is well-designed and provides crystal-clear imagery and controls that are user-friendly. Unfortunately, like the X1, the XC60 can quickly become a very expensive luxury vehicle once you start tacking on packages and stand-alone features. Also, it only takes premium fuel, so you will be paying more at the pump for a vehicle that is not terribly fuel efficient to begin with.

2019 BMW X1 vs. 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class

For quite a while now, Mercedes-Benz has been a top competitor in the luxury vehicle segments. The new 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class is no exception to this rule. The GLA Class has superbly agile handling capabilities and gets a lot of pep from its powertrains. It offers a ton of options for customizing the vehicle, and the new model embraces a unique hatchback styling not characteristic in this segment. Sadly, the interior fails to impress and can look a bit gaudy. The rear seats make for a tight squeeze, and, like the X1, the GLA Class can become expensive in the blink of an eye.

Conclusion

The 2019 BMW X1 is by all means a pricey luxury vehicle, as you will find out if you add too many options into the mix. However, you get a lot of value from the powertrain's performance, the availability of standard infotainment and safety features, and the generous amount of space you will find up front, in the rear, and in the cargo area. Overall, the X1 puts in a performance that should keep it toward the top of its pack.