2022 BMW X1 revealed: Now with fresher styling and an electric variant

The BMW X1 was always one of the more popular luxury SUVs on sale in the country, thanks to its positioning, and now the third-generation of the SUV has been globally revealed which, for the first time, comes with an electric sibling called the iX1. But does the X1 still have what it takes to take on the onslaught of new rivals in this segment?

The X1 is now in its third generation and despite this being an all-new model, it continues to look familiar to its predecessor. The exterior is typically BMW, and we can see the slowly creeping trend of bigger grilles appearing on the baby Beemer. The LED headlights are smaller and have a more flowing shape, while the rear gets sharper tail lights. From the C-pillar onwards, the silhoeutte is more upright than its predecessor’s, giving the new X1 a more butch SUV shape than the crossover look it sported previously. The wheel arches add to this identity. The X1 also comes with a range of new wheel options, starting with 17-inch wheels as standard and going up to 19 and 20-inch options. The xLine and M Sport variants all come with 18-inch wheels as standard.

According to BMW, the interior has been inspired by the all-electric flagship, the iX, and it shows when you see the more mature design present in the cabin. There are newly designed seats with perforated leather upholstery along with electric adjustment and massage function. The rear is now likely to seat three occupants in comfort, as BMW has widened the middle seat of the bench. The most notable feature however, is the new BMW iDrive infotainment system, which comes with the carmaker’s latest 8th-gen operating system and promises to be slicker to operate. There’s a 10.25-inch curved infotainment display along with a 10.7-inch digital cockpit for the digital instruments. The iDrive system can also be independently connected to the internet by a 5G e-sim.

The new BMW X1 gets a wide variety of choice when it comes to its powertrains. There are two petrol engine options and two diesels, both of which are paired to a 48V mild-hybrid system. Both the petrol and the diesel engines get a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission. The top-spec 2-litre petrol engine with its inline-four produces allied to the hybrid produces 215bhp and 360Nm of torque, which should make it an able highway cruiser. The top-spec 2-litre diesel on the other hand, produces 208bhp and 400Nm of torque, also allied to the hybrid system. There are also three-cylinder engine further down the model range, with a focus on frugality and efficiency.

The X1 now has an all-electric sibling for the first time, called the iX1. With a dual-motor electric powertrain producing 308bhp and 494Nm of torque, the iX1 can rocket from 0-100kmph in just 5.7 seconds. BMW claims a range of 438km as per the WLTP cycle, which would likely make the iX1 a very capable daily driver. The iX1 is also the first compact SUV made by BMW to offer the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. BMW has also made changes to the suspension, as well as offering the optional adaptive M suspension for a sportier stance.

BMW has confirmed that the third-generation X1 as well as the iX1 will be launched globally in October 2022 and it is likely that an India-launch for the car will follow soon. The ICE-powered X1 rivals the likes of SUVs such as Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, while the all-electric iX1 will compete with its ICE-powered sibling, the Mini Countryman as well as the Jaguar E-Pace and Volvo XC40. It is to be seen whether the allure of a hybrid system as well as the option of a full-electric version make it more alluring than its rivals to prospective buyers, but on paper, the BMW X1 makes a strong case for itself.