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Of the 340,000 BMWs sold last year, more than 53% were classified as “sports activity vehicles.” The BMW X1 is a crossover SUV  that falls into this category, joining the BMW family in 2009. However, the 2023 model year is completely redesigned with performance, safety, and technology updates.

J.D. Power and Associates recently released results of its Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study showing how owners rank the BMW X1 in several different categories. The survey results showed that the BMW X1 continues to perform well in all categories the automaker is known for, including style, comfort, and power. This indicates that BMW continues to improve in all the ways that make the X1 appealing to buyers.

Ranking the BMW X1 as a subcompact luxury SUV

The J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study surveys new vehicle owners after 90 days of ownership to examine the owners’ initial experience with their new vehicle. For the BMW X1, owners ranked the car in 10 categories. The X1 ranked highest in the following three categories: exterior styling, driving feel, and powertrain. For BMW owners, this is no surprise, as the BMW brand is well-known for its style, comfort, and power across its range of vehicles. The survey results show that the X1 continues to be an excellent choice for buyers looking for the BMW experience in a crossover package.

Style and infotainment of the X1

Orange and gray BMW X1 xDrive23d and XDrive30 models driving through the snow near mountains
BMW X1 xDrive23d and XDrive30 models | BMW Group

The 2023 BMW X1 has minimal changes to its interior, but the upgrades it provides give the vehicle an overall cleaner and sleeker look. SensaTec 2.0 vegan leather is standard in the X1, with five variations in the upholstery for owners to choose from. The details on the interior reflect exactly what BMW owners have come to expect from the brand — fewer buttons and knobs create a sense of space, and the clean cabin gives more access to storage areas.

Part of the BMW style is reflected in the 10.7-inch curved display that hosts BMW’s iDrive 8 — the new standard in BMW car technology. With BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW ID, vehicle owners can customize their driving experience in a unique way that caters to their driving styles and needs.

The BMW X1 driving experience

The BMW X1 comes standard with an all-new drivetrain. The turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine produces 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, its 0 to 60 mph time has slightly improved for the 2023 model by one-tenth of a second to 6.2 seconds. Combined with a comfortable suspension, the X1 provides a pleasant but powerful driving experience.

The X1 is a solid CUV choice

The 2023 BMW X1 continues to build on a solid foundation, and BMW continues to upgrade this crossover. The survey from J.D. Power and Associates shows that the X1 still ranks well where it matters most for BMW owners — style, comfort, and power.

Although the BMW X1 is the automaker’s smallest crossover, the 2023 model has grown slightly in its dimensions with a design that makes it look more like a small SUV than a tall hatchback, says MotorTrend. This makes the X1 stand out from its competitors of luxury hatchbacks and begin to compete with other small luxury SUVs.

For years, the BMW X1 has been a great choice in the small premium SUV market segment, and this survey only reinforces its performance in this market. As BMW continues to improve the X1 model, users maintain the satisfaction they expect from the German automaker, but in a smaller package.

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