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BMW X1 2020 review

SUV Petrol

Overview

The second-generation BMW X1 (F48) received its mid-life facelift (LCI) in 2019, with UK orders opening on 29 May 2019 and deliveries from mid-July 2019, and the 2020 cars on this page are those facelifted cars. It is the smallest BMW SUV, but it feels like a proper BMW from behind the wheel and offers genuine family space, which is why it outsold many larger rivals. The facelift range opened at £28,795 on the road for the sDrive18i SE. This page covers the 2020 LCI cars, with the featured car the sDrive18i Sport with the Step automatic gearbox, listed by Carbuyer at £33,020 - treat that as a listed price rather than a dated launch price. Facelift trims were SE, Sport, xLine and M Sport.

The featured engine is a 1,499cc three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 140 bhp and 220 Nm, driving the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (a six-speed manual was also offered). It covers 0-62 mph in 9.7 seconds and tops out at 126 mph (BMW press material quotes 127 mph with the automatic, a 1 mph variance by gearbox and source). WLTP economy for the Sport Step Auto is 41.5 mpg combined with 154 g/km of CO2. Do not mix those with the launch press figure of 122 to 125 g/km, which was on the older NEDC-correlated cycle. Above the petrol sat the diesel range, led by the xDrive20d with a 2.0-litre diesel producing 190 bhp and 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, returning around 50.4 to 51.4 mpg WLTP depending on trim.

Space is a strong suit for the class: a 505-litre boot growing to 1,550 litres with the seats folded, a 51-litre fuel tank, and a minimum kerb weight of 1,430 kg for the featured car, with insurance in group 22E. Safety is five Euro NCAP stars, but word it carefully: the rating dates from the 2015 test of the F48 generation (90% adult, 87% child, 74% vulnerable road users, 77% safety assist) and expired in January 2022, so it is a launch rating, not a current one. The warranty when new was three years with unlimited mileage, so a 2020 car is now out of factory cover.

On a used X1, the diesel checks matter most: B47 diesels were subject to an EGR-cooler recall for leaking coolers and fire risk, so verify completion with a BMW dealer by VIN before buying, and be wary of diesels used only for town trips, which suffer DPF soot build-up and EGR carbon. On any X1, test the gearbox from cold for judder on manuals and jerky or slipping shifts on automatics, listen for the gear-selector micro-spring fault that triggers a persistent Secure Vehicle with Parking Brake warning, and check front control-arm bushes, uneven tyre wear and run-flat condition. One figure this page deliberately omits: no insurance group was verified for the 2020 LCI xDrive20d specifically, so none is quoted for it.

UK price from: £33,020

Specifications

Engine	1.5L 3-cylinder turbo petrol (1,499cc)
Power	140 bhp
Torque	220 Nm
0-62 mph	9.7 seconds
Top speed	126 mph (127 mph with auto per BMW press)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic (6-speed manual also offered)
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	41.5 mpg combined (WLTP, Sport Step Auto)
CO2 emissions	154 g/km (WLTP, Sport Step Auto)
Boot space	505 litres (1,550 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,430 kg minimum
Insurance group	22E (sDrive18i)
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2015 test; expired January 2022)
Warranty	3 years / unlimited mileage when new

Features

1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine (140 bhp, 220 Nm)
Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive (manual also offered)
0-62 mph in 9.7 seconds, 126 mph top speed
505-litre boot, expanding to 1,550 litres seats folded
41.5 mpg combined WLTP with 154 g/km CO2 (Sport Step Auto)
Five-star Euro NCAP rating when tested in 2015 (expired January 2022)
Facelift trims: SE, Sport, xLine and M Sport
Three-year unlimited-mileage warranty when new

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£54.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Oil filter	£11.99
Engine air filter	£21.99
Cabin pollen filter	£24.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£26.99
12V battery	£109.99

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Proper BMW driving feel in a compact, family-usable SUV
Big 505-litre boot and easy long-distance manners
Strong diesel option: xDrive20d with 190 bhp and AWD
Well equipped in Sport form with 18-inch wheels

Cons

2020 cars are out of the three-year factory warranty
EGR-cooler recall paperwork is a must-check on diesels
Gear-selector spring fault and cold gearbox behaviour to test
No verified insurance group for the 2020 xDrive20d, so compare quotes

Frequently asked questions

Is the BMW X1 2020 a new model or a facelift?

A facelift. The second-generation F48 X1 received its LCI facelift in 2019, with UK orders from 29 May 2019 and deliveries from mid-July 2019, so 2020 cars are facelifted cars. The next generation replaced it in autumn 2022.

What must I check on a used X1 diesel?

EGR-cooler recall completion first: B47 diesels were recalled for leaking EGR coolers and fire risk, so verify by VIN with a BMW dealer before buying. Then check for DPF trouble on town-only cars, which suffer soot build-up and EGR carbon without regular motorway runs.

What is the Secure Vehicle with Parking Brake warning?

It can point to a broken gear-selector micro-spring, a known F48 fault that triggers the persistent warning. Test the selector from cold and listen for the fault, and test the gearbox itself for judder on manuals and jerky or slipping shifts on automatics.

Is the five-star Euro NCAP rating still current?

No. The five-star rating dates from the 2015 test of the F48 generation and expired in January 2022 under current protocols, so treat it as a launch rating rather than a current one.

What is the WLTP economy of the sDrive18i?

For the Sport Step Auto, 41.5 mpg combined with 154 g/km of CO2 on WLTP figures. Do not use the launch press figure of 122 to 125 g/km, which was on the older NEDC-correlated cycle.