I can't say it often enough - the lack of physical controls isn't just annoying, but outright dangerous. Will they ever learn?!

Glad someone else noticed it: when I test drove it, the take off from a dead stop was taking what felt like forever. It was slightly better in sport mode, but still noticeable. The lack of physical HVAC controls was my other big issue, and the instrument cluster itself looked too busy and not legible enough.

Shame about the jerky DCT. I was hoping for a transmission that doesn't upset the balance of the car as I turn into the Trader Joe's parking lot.

Idrive 8 is one thing, but entirely ditching the D-pad is a deal breaker.

Thank you for the honesty of this review. Most other reviewers gush over how great it is. I’d trust Savage Geese over all the others. This is what makes this channel superior.

Not a fan of SUV's nor BMW but these Savages get me to watch anyways! Can't get enough of Mark and Jack. Long live the Savage Geese!

Ah yes, entry-level Premium Luxury CUV content from one of my favorite car channels uploaded right as I'm looking for videos to watch on company time on a Monday morning.

We ultimately instead of this picked up a CX-5 Turbo at invoice and 0.9% financing from Mazda. Great deal and has all the bells and whistles, cooled seats, heads up display, manual interior controls, etc. Plus soul crystal red metallic is one of my favorite all time paints.

I can relate to this car because it doesn’t need to exist.

thumb up for savagegeese for daring to speak about the transmission, other journalist never mentioned it, you got a sub.

The European versions are all either mild hybrid, plugin hybrid or fully electric meaning they have electric motors which help fill all the drive train lags. Seems like they just threw out the electric motors here and didn't bother making any adjustments. In Europe the new X1 is reviewed really well compared to the outgoing model.

Great review and production quality as per usual and now with HDR it really pops 👌 thank you for all your hard work

We just bought one. Biggest gripes are the removed idrive wheel, followed by no physical HVAC buttons, and last the inability to permanently disable auto start/stop. But the drive is awesome. Very sporty and planted with great handling and MPG. Plenty of pick-up and torque for daily use. The sport seats are great. Tons of tech. The dual clutch can be a bit wonky from a stop, but other than that I'm very pleased with it, especially as a daily for the wife. I'll also note there is already a recall. I inquired what it's for but haven't been given any answers other than the dealer needs to order parts to perform it.

this car has exceptional reviews by others, i dont thing it is so bad as state by these two

Thank you for this video. I think that I am part of this car’s demographic, single female professional, no little kids and I like to reward myself with nice things from time to time. Not long ago I was car shopping. I watched your video on the Mazda CX-30 Turbo. I was looking at Mini’s, the Tesla Model Y, and the Volvo XC-40. I tried out the Mazda and bought it, it was just enough of everything I wanted so I forwent purchasing a premium nameplate. Listening to today’s video concerning the X1, I’m happy that I went for a well sorted vehicle. It’s not my forever car and I may move on to something else before to long (I’m liking the Genesis brand of late), especially something that is more driver oriented, and it’s good to know that this BMW is not my next car. I’m happy with my choice of current car and my next won’t be this one. Thank you for an informative video. I always go to you guys before looking at cars, you are thorough, throughly enjoyable and you test cars that real people buy and drive. Keep it up.

Man, I remember first gen E84 X1 - it had just right interior space for mostly solo driving, good ZF auto transmission (especially later 8-speed version), proper mechanical buttons and turn knobs for HVAC and other controls, either RWD or rear-biased xDrive drivetrain and perfectly weighted, responsive hydraulic steering. It was a joy to drive, both in heavy city traffic and on highway. The current gen X1 feels like the car made specifically for people who pay for blue checkmark on Twitter.

HDR looks amazing, btw. This is the first time I’ve seen this in a car channel, so thank you for pushing the envelope a bit.

I have a lot more expectations for $40K. I am not sure I will ever buy a new car again, the value for dollar is gone..

BMW builds a $46K Nissan Kicks. And yes, it seemingly blends in with every other blob these days.

I ordered mine in January, and I’m excited; it’s not for everyone, so no need to bash the vehicle. 😊

I've been waiting for this review and am glad you answered some questions I had. I own the 2020 year model was thinking about replacing it with this one, but now I'll wait a little while longer. The new X3 will be out hopefully late this year or next year. Great work Mark & Jack

Funnily enough, I was expecting to hate the previous generation X1 because of the switch to a FWD platform. I actually enjoyed it very much for the 5 days I had it as a loaner. A lot more space than the E84, and the steering feel was way better tuned than it was in the F30 I had at the time. It was comfortable, relatively refined, and most importantly did not feel FWD biased. I can confirm that with DSC off the rear would slide extremely easily in the snow. The transmission calibration was great (Aisin 8 speed not the DCT in this gen), and they’ve been reliable from what I’ve heard. Lastly, physical controls for everything. I’d recommend looking at a certified pre-owned one over this newer one. Or just call it a day and get a certified pre-owned X3😂.

I’m a fan of the control knob for iDrive. Really wish BMW would have kept that.

Reminds me of my previous car (which Savage Geese actually loved)... my 2018 Hyundai Tucson with the 1.6T and DCT... had the same issues that when taking off from a dead stop into traffic, sometimes it would just go fast, and sometimes... oh man... I'd hit the gas and... NOTHING... that DCT delay combined with Turbo lag would coincide and I'd get NOTHING. It was rare, to be fair... usually didn't happen... but when it did... man, that sucked (especially if I was trying to dart into a whole in traffic and my car would pull into it like a granny). That was really the only problem I had with the 2018 Tucson and it was rare, but watching this video on the BMW reminded me of the same problem of DCT combined with Turbo lag. Also, all buttons/knobs aren't evil... this trend to "all controls via smart-phone look-alike" is kinda funny... considering so many states now have laws against "using your cell phone while driving is dangerous"... now cell-phone use is built into modern cars! Would be nice to at least have volume and climate controls via knobs if nothing else.

I have an X1 and I do not have any issues with the vehicle. I love it. I did not get the X3 because it is outdated compared to this one. Maybe in 2024-25 when they change Generation I will switch to the X3. For now, I think X1 is a nice vehicle. IDrive 8 is not an issue for me. All of us should have a touchscreen phone by now. I doubt any of you want a keyboard like a blackberry. I do not see any safety issues at all. If you change the air conditioner or heat every time you hit the traffic light, then maybe I can see a problem. It's true it is an entry-level vehicle but for me it is about practicality.

Thanks for all the content, look forward to it every time.

What Mark says is absolutely true. As a European myself I'm always amused how the only or the base spec engine of European cars in the US are the top specs ones in Europe.

My neighbor across the street has a 2020 Acura TLX 2.4-liter 4 cylinder engine with a eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission........he's taken it into Acura under warranty to replace the transmission 2 times in 2 years.....and every time it was in the shop for about 7-10 days.......I think the real culprit with this 2023 BMW X1 is the dual clutch transmission.....not the engine as they use the B48 in the BMW X3 also which don't have this issue. I would avoid all vehicles with dual clutch auto transmissions. This was the most honest review I've seen so far for this vehicle. Good Review and test drive 👍👍

I own this car and while I respect these views, this car is hella fun to drive! Not a fanboy or anything but just a realistic take. For the price this car is a bang for the buck!

The Auto Stop/Start is terrible in my Acura as well. So much so that the first thing I do after starting the car is shut the system off.

Red interior and orange exterior reminds me of that upscale Dennys I owned before my 3rd divorce. I will miss both the free grand slams and Deborah.

I can't believe Dr. Touch even came for the iDrive controller.

Yes Mark, I am also going crazy too with the ASS feature in my suv, and yes it’s a safety issue!! My x7 doesn’t have the button that disables the ASS feature. Only in sport mode disables it. It’s extremely annoying, inconvenient, and jumpy when taking off from a stop/stoplight. It feels like there is transmission problems, even thought there is not, it’s just the lag of the startup. Another inconvenience is the lack of buttons for the climate options, fake speaker noise, and no more real exhaust. Feels like a big step down from the previous M50i I had.

this is for those who only care about buying things just because of the brand. Those who go to a shop known for luxury handbags and buys the cheapest wallet or belt just for the brand, those who go to a restaurant known for steak and orders a drink and a salad just so you can post it up on tiktok. That's who this car's for

When you decide to review something, you really put your all in to it! Valuable information, from intelligent reviewers. A pleasure! Thanks!

Rented this car out of curiosity. This is a very accurate review. The delay is awful even without start stop to merge or accelerate quickly. Steering is so vague it makes the 2.28i I rented feel like a M3. Linear throttle response that comes with BMWs is nonexistent. And due to wireless only carplay it can crap out on you and glitch out if the phone heats up a bit. Usb only carplay is always more reliable. And the fan is absurd with a lack of granularity. Low is Japanese strong and very low is a sea breeze at best. But as a box it holds a lot.

The transmission issues sound similar to complaints I used to hear about DSGs back in the mid-00s. Weird issues arise if you try to operate it like a torque converter automatic. Mash the gas pedal and it sits there for a second or two unsure what to do and when it engages it bangs into gear or jerks. Coupled with the stupid start-stop system and I can see why there's so much input lag.

Savage Geese word of the year: “compliance”

Honest review, keeps me coming back for more.

I value a car that accelerates when you press the gas pedal.

Mazda cx5 turbo for the win in so many ways!🤔🤫🤪😬

The only car I have ever driven that did the took three seconds to move was an old 2006 VW Toureg. And yes I do agree. It was a safety issue and like VW I hope they fix it.

I had the same issue with my VW Tiguan 2.0T 220ps - you try to start moving by flooring the pedal and nothing is going on for 3 seconds. There were some others annoying matters with DSG and rear suspension comfort so I eventually sold it with 10K on odometer and bought a low-mileage E84 X1 28x again. Now I'm having fun. Every day, every second!

figured this would be a bunch of hate just like the last x1 video. wasn't disappointed. it serves a purpose and is good at is. nobody expects this to be a great performance car, but as you said--it has a great interior, excellent build quality, a decent dose of luxury, and has good interior space. and that interior space would be significantly cut if it were a RWD car. This car has pretty much the same interior space as an X3, excluding the trunk. drivetain is okay, dual clutch is def dumb but you just get used to it, fuel economy great, sounds like a great package. they def could benefit from a hybrid or electric powertrain

It's more premium, but still at heart a Mini

Savage Geese has a bias against BMW; he seems to find them too perfect and therefor boringly predictable. But that's not necessarily a bad thing in a car. I'd turn the stop/start off. There's good power and gas mileage and BMW interiors look they are for adults. Front wheel drive bias is not for everyone, but some prefer it over being pushed by a sliding rear end.

"You're not going to drive this like a monkey"...BMW drivers..."Hold my beer"!

Entry level is... 46k.... Wow. I feel left behind.

Thanks for the review guys, was waiting for this as I’m considering it for our next family vehicle. Considering this, used Macan, or maybe Q5 PHEV. We will be parking in urban areas every day so the short length of the X1 is appealing. Plus I’m a BMW CCA member and E46 M3 owner so I’m a bit of a fanboy. What are your thoughts on the more mainstream reviews of the new x1 that praise its driving dynamics (ie Car and Driver, MotorTrend, etc). MotorTrend in particular called it a “return to form” for BMW. Quite the contrast with this review, and I have equal respect for SG (love your channel!) as I do for the more mainstream publications. Thanks again!

This BMW is gorgeous, but the side profile screams 2019 Nissan Rogue lol

Great review. Change for the sake of change is a blunder. Maybe if this were the iX1, you might forgive the paradigm shifts (think iX). But change does not mean progress. That said, I'm sorry you guys got stuck with an X-Line. Having looked at an X1 x-Line sitting next to an X1 MSport, then driving then back-to-back, there is no comparison between the quality impression between the two. The x-Line seems like BMW was skimping on everything. The MSport trimmings elevate the whole experience--especially the seats, and the adaptive suspension. The mpg is fantastic. The power is excellent. The interior comfort is way beyond competitors. The Benz looks good inside, but the plastic is scratchy, rock hard, and squeaks. The Audi Q3 has a 2012 interior. If your think the X1 is expensive, I'll remind you that the junk RAV4 and CRV are $43,000, and no matter how you equip them, you're saddled with their pathetic infotainments systems , zero luxury, mediocre mpg, gutless, etc. Been in a new RAV4 lately? Not a nice place. That doesn't forgive BMW one bit for the stupid shifter, no buttons, no paddles, and removing the iDrive wheel. Those are unforgivable.

I've test driven the iX1 for 30 miles and it's fantastic. Way more power than expected and AWD. I think the electric motor is the version to go for the X1. In the end it's a compact city SUV, you're not gonna do roadtrips in this thing.

My 2013 BMW 135 DCT has this exact same transmission issue you are right it is a safety issue!

A lot of money for an entry level BMW. So many used X3s with less than 5k miles for similar money. Hard pass.

Would be good to have you guys do another review of this now that they've worked out the transmission tuning issues through software updates.

The iX1 is where it’s at. Not everyone drives a massive car like in the US.

Generalist car brands like Mazda or Kia have been putting up some amazing products lately, makes entry level car from Germany feel useless and overpriced.

How long until bmw decides this needs a coupe variant and M variant

The only thing nice about this is that you guys dropped both 40 sections of the rear seat and left the 20 up.

It is a pity. This new X1 is 200% better than 2022 X1, but it is not clearly mentioned in the review.

You lost me after mentioning "mini platform"

First generation X1 manufactured until the 2015 is hands down the best of this model. Based on the last “real” BMW 3 Series to purists, the E90. It offered an RWD platform with hydraulic power steering that offered incredible feel of the road, and an available inline 6 and MSport package with a serious suspension. Only thing I wished for was a manual transmission, but we know where BMW and most companies went with that

I completely agree! I have been saying this since even the last generation, it feels too unrefined. The lag, the torque steer, the stiff and uncomfortable suspension, the lack of handling, I preferred the Audi and Mercedes since this thing was released in 2016. This is what happens when you make a BMW out of a Mini- which is literally an econobox in most of the world.

Jack is the play by play, Mark does the color commentary.

Test drove this two weeks ago. It was fun and pretty interior. Surprising amount of room inside. I decided to order a GV70 instead as I felt that had a lot of superior items.

Knowing what a CRV or a RAV4 is going for. I would consider this for sure.

BMW long ago dropped the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'. I believe it was Road and Track that announced BMW is no longer an enthusiasts Mark. They are now a 'Bavarian old Man's Wagen'.

I'm curious if the torque steer you were feeling was because the poorly designed BMW motor mount has already blown out.

BMW really went from 'the ultimate driving machine' to 'the ultimate commodity machine'

So.... when you do the 0-60 you start with a 3 second penalty? :)

I’ve always chosen BMWs as rentals because over the years iDrive has essentially remained the same in terms of usability. I really like being able to get off a plane in a different city but having no issues operating the system while underway. This is a huge step backward. The controller was really important for usability for me. My own car doesn’t have any fancy infotainment.

It stopped for 3 seconds because of start / stop function ? Try turning off that function

3 full seconds to move? Now that's a severe issue... 😐

Downvote me but this review is BS. It is either funded by a competitor or intentionally negative to get page views for what's a wildly popular model for BMW. Go to any BMW dealership and try to find one, chances are you won't. For more proof, go watch this channel's 2019 RDX review where it's all praise where they claim the performance is top notch and the FWD SUV feels like a RWD sports car. I own both of these cars and the X1 is a league above the Acura in every single way. Don't get me wrong, the RDX is a fine car for a daily driver, but when configured similarly the RDX is actually more expensive than the X1. Interior quality, exterior quality, ride quality, suspension, engine ,transmission, technology and power are all better in the X1. The Acura has more HP on paper but it's a much heavier car making the X1 feel a lot a quicker and more nimble. The Acura drives like any other Honda or Japanese car. The X1 feels like a BMW. And yes, I have owned other BMWs and Japanese cars. The X1 may not be a M car like it seems like this review is expecting, but it's definitely a notch above the RDX. Sure, the X1 is FWD biased but the engine is the same one they use in the 3 series and even the 2023 X3. They also praise the ridiculous touchpad interface in the RDX that is a pain to use but are negative about the X1 touch screen that actually works well. The RDX entertainment system is severely underpowered and crashes quite frequently. Other signs that this is BS: 3 seconds of pedal to the floor before the car moves is a massive exaggeration. The RDX takes as long from a cold start when the engine has turned off and has significantly more throttle delay in general.

Guys, you’re missing the point. This is not a small SUV….its meant to be driven in an urban environment… and then it maken sense. You cannot compare this car to a 3 series….in Europe it is driven in compact streets in cities… it sits in traffic jams…that is why hybrids (much smoother , and the 28i is not a car that sells in large volumes in Europe) and the iX1 will outsell the petrol variant. Petrol is dirt cheap in the US… When you don’t abuse the car, its a nice vehicle, suitably post.

How much is the heated seat subscription for the heated seats you already paid extra for?

the b46/48 doesn't get a lot of love ever since the b58 was introduced but it's actually phenomenal engine for small cars like the mini. Doesn't mind tuning and adding boost either. Makes 300 hp in the GP and it can still be tuned further easily. I don't think it makes much sense in this thing though.

Last gen was a good car. It had an 8 speed auto and I never had a single bad shift. Auto start stop you just had to hit the off button once and it stayed off. Seat was a little narrow for my wide butt. IMO, BMW’s infotainment has the steepest learning curve

I have a 2014 X1 and always keep the Start/Stop function turned off because it was very laggy and harsh. I like that the button for it will remain on even if the car is restarted. Can you defeat it on this X1 and will it stay off even if you restart?

I am glad BMW is going back to their basics before their crazy E30 M3. Just interesting commuter cars. Like the E21.

I think this is the segment where there is the smallest difference between luxury and mainline automakers. You're paying the price premium and not getting much for it. It's front-wheel drive based, the interior isn't that premium and the suspension isn't any better. You're mostly buying a badge.

Bring back BMW interiors from 3 generations ago. Ergonomics is horrendous. FWD BMW……ugh

Loving the HDR content, car looks crazy good on an LGC1

BMW X1 and Mercedes GLB are strange yet fascinating from a Honda CRVToyota Rav4 owner perspective.

I’m kinda bummed - I love the boxy, (almost) subtle design, the new interior looks good, there are a lot of amenities on tap for a reasonable price, but if the drive is this far off, it’s obviously not going to be worth any of that. My expectations were honestly pretty high because the MINI counterparts do a pretty solid job of keeping things engaging and planted where they need to be, where this is starting to sound like a massive compromise. I’m slightly weighing this and the 2 Series Gran Coupe because I do want a small MINI-based BMW, something that’s premium but retains the energy of MINI. The 2 Series seems to get that a bit better and retains more of the physical switchgear that keeps your eyes on the road, where this seems like they’re trying to hit all the points all at once - doing everything possible - and accomplishing nothing while doing it. I’ll still test drive the X1, sorta get my own feel for it, but I doubt much will change model to model given how little consideration seems to be going to the driving experience itself

I've had a few of these as loaners (last gen at least). Great power train tuning as with all modern BMWs. Everything else was crap. Cx5 turbo outshined it in every way--especially steering feel

damn near 0 interest is SUVs yet i’ll still watch the whole thing cause you guys made it

Great review, though I like the vehicle’s overall looks, can’t get over the lack of physical controls and the start/stop BS.

If I were in the market for something with a pricy badge like this I'd be leaning towards the Acura Rdx based on the Savage reviews

I think it's pretty funny how you compare this to a Kia Sportage and I'd go with the Sportage all day long

Hello everyone, Am curious how many out there like the center console. I found it totally lacking in ergonomics and practicality and with zero depth under the cover. Am older and maybe set in my ways but never in a thousand years would I buy a car with only screen control for AC/ heat...tap tap look. I want to drive a car not a smart phone( I have 2)..

I saw the X1 a few days ago and it looks really good I was surprised.. I would take it over a RAV4 or CRV all day long

el oh el, its a fucking Mini.

0:50 correction those are Toyota CH-R taillights not BMW ;)

Just picked one of these up the day it got dropped off the trailer. The transmission issue really does suck, you get used to it but the lag can be downright dangerous. It’s got the M Sport package, driving dynamics are amazing. Feels super planted, quiet, and comfortable. The self driving is very good. My wife’s boyfriend says the boost mode makes it pretty quick off the line. Feels faster than my old Volvo XC60 T6. Overall I really like it. I wanted brand new and it was in the price range. Feels solid, beautiful interior, shitty base sound system, handles much better than anything in its class. MPGs are also pretty good, I average about 31 at 80MPH.

I think you guys nailed it when you said the buyer for this car wants a nice interior and the prestige of the BMW badge, without spending $50K+ for a new X3. But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. These entry level cars can lead to folks buying higher end models later. A next X1 buyer might be better off buying a nice CPO X3 for about the same price or less, but if you have to have a new car, at least it looks nice!

They should do a 3 series with 8 inch ground clearance and a liftback

Another honest and blunt review Wonder if the Mini Countryman is this bad?

Hello guys! Just had a testdrive (in Europe) of the xdrive20d mildhybrid and the xdrive23i. I think indeed there are some refinement issues with the transmission in the petrol, a bit jerky sometimes at lower speeds (not such a big problem for the everyday driver), but the mildhybrid diesel is a very very refined drivetrain. As of 2023, at least in Europe, I don t think you can get a more refined compact premium suv than the new x1. Diesels are very sweet going. Sound insulation is also very good, on par with a g20 3 series.

It's just a mini with different badging. Of course the mini is just a BMW