The BMW X1 and X2 are proof that “entry level” doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Both sit at the bottom of the German automaker’s lofty SUV ladder, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at them.
The X1 and X2 siblings were voted as best in segment for the second year in a row against a growing heap of luxury subcompact entrants. With contenders like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, and Volvo XC40, to name a few, the BMWs were up against stiff competition but were voted as the winner by a jury of 20 of the best automotive journalists across Canada. All the winners, including the BMW X1 and X2, are vehicles that represent the segment’s best and we would feel confident recommending them to our family and friends.
The X1 and X2 share a platform, and both wear BMW’s corporate design well, but make do with a conservatively sized kidney grille. They incorporate the same design elements and lighting themes as some of the brand’s more expensive models. The X2 is the more stylized of the two, with a roofline that rakes to the rear, lending to its coupe-like appearance.
The cabins are condensed versions of their bigger counterparts with many of the same luxury and tech features, including a digital instrument cluster and a large 10.75-inch infotainment screen featuring one of the most advanced vehicle operating systems on the market.
For subcompacts, the X1 and X2 are on the larger end of the spectrum, with some of the roomiest interiors in the segment. The X2 trades a bit of rear headroom and cargo space for style, but it’s still perfectly acceptable. But the X1 feels nearly as spacious as the larger X3. In a review of the X1, AutoTrader Road Test Editor Dan Ilika writes: “Headroom is exceptional for a crossover of this stature, a feat that’s accomplished without leaving the seats feeling too low slung, while cargo capacity is nearly as generous as that of its larger sibling. Better still, the back bench folds in a very European 40/20/40 split, leaving four full seats inside while offering enough space to stash long items like skis in the back.”
The SUV pair certainly gets the utility part down, but the performance is what sets them apart. The M35i trims get a higher output version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, developing a healthy 312 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
“In spite of sharing a torque figure with the lesser X1, this M35i feels every bit as exhilarating as it should be given the expectations that come with it. It sounds pretty damn good, too, with the baffled exhaust emitting the appropriate burbles and pops – particularly with sport mode engaged,” Ilika says.
The X1 and X2 also impressed our jury with their design, quality, and tech features. AutoTrader Editor-in-Chief Jodi Lai writes: “The X2 is very flashy for an entry in this segment and has much more style than almost anything else it competes with. I prefer the cleaner and more subdued styling of the X1, but if you’re looking for something more expressive, the X2’s design gives it plenty of personality.”
Ultimately, these are luxury products, which is reflected in the pricing, but they do offer quite a bit of bang for the buck. The X1 starts at $46,800 for the xDrive28i model and tops out at $57,500 for the M35i. The X2 starts at $48,800, and the M35i version is $59,400.
This category of luxury subcompact SUVs is hotly contested, and while there might be some entrants that have a greater appeal to some, the BMW X1 and X2 do nearly everything well with few downsides, and that’s why our experts crowned it the Best Subcompact Luxury Vehicle for the second time in a row.