2017 BMW X1 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What’s New For 2017
The X1 was completely redesigned last year, and BMW has carried over the vehicle unchanged for the 2017 model year. Though there is nothing new this year, the 2017 BMW X1 offers a wealth of great features to recommend it to drivers, as well as a few drawbacks.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2017 BMW X1 – The Pros
1. Compact, Affordable BMW Engineering
The 2017 BMW X1 is an affordably priced crossover SUV with the feel of a luxury vehicle. Its design falls halfway between a sports sedan and higher-riding SUV, with the advantages of both. Despite its excellent design and high-quality construction, the X1’s sticker price is that of a bargain vehicle.
2. Versatile Utility
The 2017 X1 performs well both on and off-road. It packs a large amount of storage room and seating space, as well as a wide range of safety and comfort features. Its large rear hatch allows cargo to be stored simply, and its four doors grant easy entry and exit from the vehicle. The 2017 BMW X1 is an excellent crossover SUV for the daily drive, for family vacations, and for long distance travel.
3. Stylish Exterior Design
Despite its lower price tag, the 2017 BMW X1 carries all the style of its most expensive brethren in its exterior design. From its distinctive BMW ‘twin-kidney’ front grill to its wide, sporty rear bumper, the X1’s look is both immediately beautiful and recognizably BMW.
4. Powerful Engine
The 2017 BMW comes equipped with a small-yet-powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This power plant puts out a solid 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque that feels quick and responsive at most speeds. It is one of the fastest accelerating crossover SUVs available, going from 0 to 60 mph in a snappy 6.5 seconds.
5. Great Fuel Economy
The 2017 BMW X1’s light weight and efficient engine translate into exceptional fuel efficiency. With its standard front-wheel drive the X1 gets 26 combined miles per gallon of gasoline. This means fewer stops for fill-ups and a smaller fuel bill every month.
6. Excellent Handling
Riding atop its standard 18-inch wheels, the 2017 BMW X1 is one of the most nimble vehicles in its market segment. Its suspension is firm while still delivering a soft, forgiving ride. With the optional all-wheel drive transmission, the X1 is even more maneuverable, though even with the standard front-wheel drive, the X1 is a pleasure to operate.
7. Roomy Interior
The 2017 BMW X1 may be a compact crossover SUV, but that doesn’t mean that it feels cramped inside. In fact, the X1’s cabin offers a wealth of space for both occupants and cargo. There is plenty of headroom for passengers and driver, and it features more than enough rear foot space for even the tallest riders. Rear storage space is abundant at 27.1 cubic feet, and this expands to a cavernous 58.7 cubic feet after the rear seats are folded down.
8. Attractive Optional Features
The 2017 X1 comes with a number of great standard features like 18-inch wheels, power front seats, and a power lift gate. Without any options, it is a great vehicle, but for drivers looking for a little extra, there are a wide range of options to make the X1 their own. BMW’s Premium package contains great options like keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof, and the Luxury package adds leather seats and wood interior trim. The M Sports package offers performance options, and Driver Assistance package adds an attractive suite of safety options.
9. Safety
The 2017 BMW X1 received top marks in the Insurance Institute’s Highway Safety crash tests, and it has one of the shortest stopping distances among automobiles in its market class. Features like stability and traction control come standard, and the optional Driver Assistance package adds a collision warning system, automated parallel parking, lane departure warnings, and more, making the X1 even safer.
10. BMW’s iDrive Infotainment System
The 2017 X1 features BMW’s revolutionary iDrive system. The center-console-mounted touchscreen puts control of all the vehicle’s systems at driver’s fingertips, though it takes a little while to master. Once the learning process is complete, drivers can quickly and effortlessly make climate, connectivity and entertainment adjustments with just a few quick finger touches.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2017 BMW X1 – The Cons
1. Uncomfortable Front Seats
The 2017 BMW X1’s standard front seats are thinner and harder-surfaced than those of other competing vehicles. While there is plenty of head a foot room in the front row, on long drives the spartan seats can start to become uncomfortable.
2. Expensive Option Packages
The front seats can be made more comfortable by choosing the optional fully adjustable reclining seats, but this costs extra. In fact, many of the options that take the X1 from a good vehicle to a great one can be on the expensive side. This stands out on the X1 because of its relatively low base price. Adding a number of the X1’s options package can quickly increase the vehicle's purchase price.
3. Versatility at the Expense of Specialization
The 2017 BMW X1 combines the handling of a sports sedan with the utility of an SUV. Unfortunately, it does not handle quite as well as the top sports sedans on the market, nor does it offer as much off road utility as many full-sized SUVs.
How it stacks up to the competition:
More expensive vehicles like Acura’s RDX and Volvo’s XC60 offer more features and performance than the 2017 X1, but cannot match BMW’s vehicle when it comes to price. Domestic offering such as the Ford Escape have similar utility, but they do not have the X1’s distinctive style.
Conclusion
The 2017 BMW X1 is an affordable and versatile crossover SUV. It offers BMW luxury and performance, and though it makes a few compromises, it offers an all-around package that few in its market segment can match.
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