Facelifted BMW X1 Unveiled

BMW tweaks its second-generation X1 with subtle styling changes and new engine options as part of a midcycle facelift for the 2-year-old CUV.

Among the changes is a lightly restyled front end that BMW says helps provide the X1 with a more individual look in each of its different variants: xLine, Sport Line and M Sport.

In line with other recent new BMW models, there’s a significantly larger grille that now merges in the center, as well as LED fog lamps set within the lower part of a reprofiled bumper.

As a running change, the ’19 X1 also gets a passenger-side puddle lamp, four new alloy wheel designs and the choice of three new metallic exterior colors – Jucaro Beige, Misano Blue and Storm Bay.

Additionally, BMW upgrades all engines available for the X1 to the Euro 6d-TEMP and, in some cases, even more stringent Euro 6d emissions standard now in place in Europe.

It also adds two new diesel models to the facelifted X1 lineup in various markets.

Included is a new front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive16d. It is powered by a turbocharged 1.5L 3-cyl. diesel developing 114 hp and 199 lb.-ft. (270 Nm) of torque. Available with either a standard 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, it is claimed to deliver combined cycle consumption and average carbon-dioxide emissions of 57.4 mpg (4.1 L/100 km) and 107 g/km on the WLTP test cycle.

At the other end of the diesel spectrum is the new all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive25d, which runs a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl. engine making 228 hp and 332 lb.-ft. (450 Nm). Fitted with a standard 8-speed torque-converter-equipped automatic gearbox, it boasts an official 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.6 seconds and 146 mph (235 km/h) top speed along with combined consumption and CO2 emissions of 48.0 mpg (4.9 L/100 km) and 128 g/km respectively.

Not yet available but confirmed for production from March 2020 and likely to be added to the North American lineup is a new X1 xDrive25e model. It is powered by a newly developed gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain featuring a 9.7-kWh lithium-ion battery that BMW claims provides electric-only range of over 31 miles (50 km) on the WLTP test cycle.