Which is the most popular engine in the BMW X1?

The diesel engines have been among the most popular, probably because they supply a large amount of power yet remain efficient and affordable to run. However, it's likely that the hybrid and electric variants will gain more popularity in the coming years.

Which are the most popular trim levels?

Currently, BMW offers four trim levels: Sport, xLine, M Sport and M Models. The xLine has been among the most popular thanks to the extra features such as off-road exterior styling, electric folding wing mirrors, heated front seats and Dakota leather upholstery.

What optional extras should I look out for?

There are a lot of used examples fitted with optional extras, including various interior colours and special alloy wheel designs. Adaptive LED headlights are also worth looking out for, as they provide enhanced style and visibility on dark roads.

Is the BMW X1 a good family car?

The X1 is the smallest of the BMW crossovers and SUVs, so it has less room than the larger options, but it still makes for a good family vehicle. It has ISOFIX points for child seats, a practical, spacious interior and a well-sized boot.

Is there a hybrid version of the BMW X1?

Yes, there are several plug-in hybrid configurations of the X1 that can be found on the used market. Not only has BMW released several hybrid powertrains for the X1, but there are also electric models with zero tailpipe emissions. BMW also offers both petrol and diesel variants, allowing for a wide range of options.

Is the BMW X1 available as an automatic?

All of the newest models come equipped with an automatic gearbox. Older versions can be found with either a manual or an automatic.

Is there a four-wheel drive version available?

Throughout the years, BMW has offered the X1 in various formats, including with four-wheel drive. It is also possible to find front- and rear-wheel drive options.

1,114 Used BMW X1 cars for sale

BMW X12022 - 2.0 18d M Sport SUV 5dr Diesel Auto sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £469 pm

2L
14.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Norman Motors Poole

01202076853 *

4.9/5 Stars

BMW X12015 (15) - 2.0 20i SE SUV 5dr Petrol Manual xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£8,295

2L
63.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

BMW X12022 - xDrive 20i [178] xLine 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£24,795

Finance available £489 pm

2L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cambridge Motors

02037637059 *

BMW X12025 (25) - M35i xDrive 5dr [Tech/Pro Pack] Step Auto Petrol Estate

£47,779

2L
5.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Vertu BMW Teesside

01642630363 *

0/5 Stars

BMW X12013 (13) - xDrive 18d M Sport 5dr Step Auto

Reduced

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
93.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

BSS CAR SALES LTD

01362700947 *

4.8/5 Stars

BMW X12022 - sDrive 20i [178] xLine 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£22,820

Finance available £448 pm

2L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Shelbourne AutoSelect Newry

02830441493 *

BMW X12022 - 2.0 20i xLine Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,730

Finance available £416 pm

2L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motor Match Stoke

01782529077 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW X12019 (19) - sDrive 20i xLine 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£19,790

2L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Boston (BMW)

01205335096 *

BMW X12016 (16) - 2.0 20d xLine Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,600

Finance available £237 pm

2L
71.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

BMW X12022 - 20i Sport 5-Door

£20,795

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

BMW X12022 - 2.0 20i xLine SUV 5dr Petrol Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (178 ps)

£21,500

Finance available £467 pm

2L
50.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Thurlow Nunn Milton Keynes

01908010425 *

0/5 Stars

BMW X12022 (22) - xDrive 20i xLine 5dr Step Auto Petrol Estate

£24,378

2L
25.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Vertu BMW Teesside

01642630363 *

0/5 Stars

BMW X12025 (74) - xDrive 30e M Sport 5dr Step Auto Estate

£42,911

1.5L
3.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Vertu BMW Durham

01918146639 *

0/5 Stars

BMW X12014 (14) - 2.0 220i SE Auto sDrive Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

2L
57.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Car Capital Ltd

02038933681 *

BMW X12012 (61) - 2.0 20d M Sport Steptronic sDrive Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,500

Finance available £101 pm

2L
96.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Retail Car Ltd

01902916095 *

BMW X12022 - xDrive 20i xLine 5dr Step Auto

£22,599

Finance available £468 pm

2L
29.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW X12016 - 2.0 X1 xDrive20d xLine 5-Door

£9,999

Finance available £201 pm

2L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Chester Motor Company

01207262648 *

0/5 Stars

BMW X12016 - xDrive 20d M Sport 5dr Step Auto

£10,450

Finance available £211 pm

2L
104.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

JC Halliday & Sons - Mid-Ulster

02879441083 *

BMW X12018 (68) - 2.0 20d Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,800

Finance available £331 pm

2L
37.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

K Motors London Ltd

02037587409 *

BMW X12018 (18) - 2.0 20i M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
41.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Taurus Autos LTD

01162165649 *

Why buy a used Audi X1?

If you're in the market for a car that is both luxurious and affordable, then a used BMW X1 is a great choice. Fitting in perfectly with the rest of the BMW crossover lineup, the smaller X1 showcases technology and style in one package. It also offers superb driving dynamics, remaining sporty while ensuring that every passenger is comfortable.

Used BMW X1 snapshot review

Pros

Practical interior layout
Diesels are cheap to run
Good to drive

Cons

Firm ride
Not great off-road
Expensive compared to rivals

Read our BMW X1 review

BMW X1 video review

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Used BMW X1 buying guide

Engines and transmissions

BMW offers a wide array of powertrain options – petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric – for the X1. Through the years, automatic and manual gearboxes were offered, along with front, rear or four-wheel drive.

Petrol

xDrive25e (plug-in hybrid) creates 241bhp for an estimated electric driving range of 53 miles.
xDrive30e (plug-in hybrid) makes 321bhp, but the electric driving range drops slightly to 52 miles.
sDrive20i makes 167bhp for a 0-62mph of 8.3 seconds.
xDrive23i is rated for 214bhp for a 7.1-second 0-62mph time.
Top-of-the-line M35i has a 295bhp engine for a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds.

Diesel

sDrive18d is rated at 147bhp for efficiency of 56.5mpg.
xDrive23d earns an increased rating of 208bhp for a 7.4-second 0-62mph time and still manages 60.1mpg.

Electric

Badged as the iX1
eDrive20 configuration contains a 201bhp engine with a 66.5kWh battery.
Estimated driving range is up to 293 miles per charge.
Can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 29 minutes.
xDrive30 offers more performance at 268bhp, but has a shorter driving range of 270 miles per charge

Practicality

From the outside, the BMW X1 looks compact, but the interior space is spacious and well-appointed, ensuring a comfortable drive.

Interior space

Electric seat controls offer plenty of adjustments.
Sliding rear bench offers more legroom.
Large amount of headroom in both rows.
Three ISOFIX points for child seats included (one in front, two in rear).

Boot space

550-litre boot is larger than the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3.
Mild-hybrid variants reduces storage to 500 litres and PHEV drops further to 490 litres.
Folding rear seats open up more space for larger items.
Large boot opening with a mild lip ensures that loading and unloading are easy.
Boot space includes a 12V socket, bins and nets for organisation.

Safety

Euro NCAP gave the X1 a perfect five-star rating in 2022.
Safety assist rating is 92%, with an adult occupant rating of 86% and a child occupant rating of 89%.
Standard safety kit includes parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control and emergency braking.

Technology

Two large displays found in newer models: a 10.7-inch infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital driver display.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make connectivity a breeze.
Available premium Harman Kardon sound system.

Different generations of used BMW X1

With the SUV and crossover segments in high demand, BMW realised that it needed to add more of this type of vehicle to the lineup, which is why the X1 was introduced in 2009. Though it's the smallest of BMW's SUV range, it still offers a decent amount of space for passengers and luggage, and it benefits from many luxurious touches and advanced features.

Fourth Generation (2022 to 2023)

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.5 - 2
MPG:: 41 - 56
Acceleration:: 5.6 - 8.9 seconds
Boot space:: 577 - 592 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
xDrive 30e M Sport 5dr [Pro Pack] Step Auto
Cheapest
sDrive 20i MHT M Sport 5dr [Pro Pack] Step Auto
Fastest
xDrive 30e M Sport 5dr [Pro Pack] Step Auto

Third Generation (2022 to 2022)

BMW designed the X1 to be its smallest and most affordable crossover, so it didn't require many alterations to remain competitive and popular in the compact luxury SUV segment. Yet the third-generation model did offer some upgrades, such as new swept-back headlights similar to those found on the 3 Series. Also, the size of the front grille was reduced slightly.

Inside the cabin, the new X1 received a curved display, placing the relevant data directly in front of the driver, while an updated infotainment centre was installed in the centre stack. Powertrain options were also revised, giving customers more options.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 41 - 57
Acceleration:: 7.4 - 8.9 seconds
Boot space:: 577 - 592 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
xDrive 23i MHT xLine Premier 5dr Step Auto
Cheapest
sDrive 18d Sport Premier 5dr Step Auto
Fastest
xDrive 23i MHT xLine Premier 5dr Step Auto

Second Generation (2015 to 2022)

The main change with the second generation X1 was the way that the engine was mounted. Instead of being mounted longitudinally, it was switched to transversely, which allowed a shorter front-end overhang and nose. The cabin was also moved forward slightly, allowing for wider doors and making it easier to get in and out. Changes to the front made the X1 resemble its larger sibling, the X3.

A 2018 refresh brought a bolder bumper design with larger air intakes. The size of the grille was also increased, and brand-new LED headlights were added. New materials were used in the cabin to offer a more comfortable experience.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.5 - 2
MPG:: 38 - 403
Acceleration:: 6.6 - 9.7 seconds
Boot space:: 450 - 505 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
xDrive 25e xLine 5dr Auto
Cheapest
sDrive 18i SE 5dr
Fastest
xDrive 25d SE 5dr Step Auto

First Generation (2009 to 2015)

When the X1 was first released, it was based on the same platform as the 3 Series, but it looked similar to the X3. However, the lighting features were the same as those placed in the 7 Series when it was released. With the advanced safety technology and premium materials included, the new X1 was ahead of its time.

By 2014, the X1 was ready for a refresh to enhance its look. Sportier-looking headlights were added, and the grille design was changed. A restyled lower bumper was added. BMW also chose to install indicators into the mirror caps on the door for added visibility.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 36 - 62
Acceleration:: 6.8 - 11.5 seconds
Boot space:: 420 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
sDrive20i SE 5dr Step Auto
Cheapest
sDrive 18d SE 5dr
Fastest
xDrive 25d xLine 5dr

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

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Used BMW X1 snapshot review

Pros