If the engine equipped in the BMW X1 M35Li were trickled down, given its strong power output, the BMW X1 would still have some recommendation value, but for the 2025 BMW X1 25 family, if one insists that this 2.0T engine with a maximum net power of 150kW and maximum torque of 300N·m is still acceptable, then the 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission is no longer tolerable. Is the price range of 316,900 to 349,900 yuan for the 25 series too high? Although the current market conditions are indeed good, and for the BMW X1 M35Li priced as high as 409,900 yuan, if you had this budget, would you prioritize choosing it? Today let's talk about the BMW X1. Welcome fellow car enthusiasts who see this to help click follow, and welcome lively and civilized discussion in the comments section.
[Target Customer Analysis]
The target customers of the BMW X1 should be those who advocate for the brand and appreciate the styling design of the BMW X1. Indeed, the main selling points of the 2025 BMW X1 may lie in brand power and appearance. Also, compared with new energy vehicles at similar prices and levels, the interior design of the BMW X1, from the perspective of an experienced driver regarding driving safety, is more conducive to helping the driver stay focused on driving. This may also be one reason some target customers favor and choose it.
If brand is not considered when choosing a car, the product strength of the BMW X1 may not even match some SUV models under Volkswagen that have already introduced the fifth-generation EA888. What do you think?
[Power and Transmission]
In recent years, having test-driven several BMW models, the dynamic performance of the vehicles has drifted further and further from the "Sheer Driving Pleasure" that the brand originally emphasized and insisted on. Of course, this is a compromise to most current automotive consumers, especially since SUVs also have to compromise to family car needs. But can compromise win more sales? I believe the BMW brand's back-and-forth on the price war over the past two years already illustrates that the pressure in the domestic auto market is still increasing day by day. Fortunately, the price of the BMW X1 is still at a high level, and its target customers still care somewhat about brand and style. Therefore, if it insists on the fuel vehicle track, BMW should show sincerity in power and transmission.
The BMW X1 25 series is equipped with the B48A20R engine, with a maximum power of 167kW and maximum torque of 300N·m. From the perspective of engine technology, what is worth mentioning is only the combined injection, while BMW X1's official introduction regarding the engine only mentions that "the active ignition coil provides stronger ignition energy." There may indeed be nothing else worth saying.
The 2025 BMW X1 is equipped across the lineup with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, including the M35 Li. As for dual-clutch transmissions, Volkswagen has popularized them among domestic automotive consumers for many years. The characteristics of dual-clutch transmissions are probably familiar to any car enthusiast who pays attention to the domestic auto market. Then you might ask, will BMW's dual-clutch transmission be somewhat better than Volkswagen's?
As for this question, you might as well look up complaint cases about the BMW X1's transmission, just look at models from the past two or three model years, and after reading you will know. So for the BMW X1, one of the important reasons affecting sales may be the dual-clutch transmission.
[Sales Commentary for the Past Six Months]
Over the past six months, the BMW X1's monthly sales should still remain above 4,000 units, but at this price it has surprisingly not outsold the higher-priced BMW X3. In the first seven months of 2025, the BMW X3's average monthly sales were more than a thousand units higher than the BMW X1's. The 8-speed automatic transmission may deserve some of the credit here. Although the BMW X3 also uses high- and low-power engines to adjust pricing, after all, a high-power option is available, which is a good thing for consumers.
[Space and Cabin]
The BMW X1 has a length of 4616mm and a wheelbase of 2802mm, which is sufficient for most domestic car-consuming families of medium build. On the premise that interior space is not cramped, whether in congested traffic or in various complex parking environments, the smaller the vehicle body size, the more agile the vehicle handling.
The BMW X1 comes standard across the lineup with a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch central control screen. Not using flashy screens to attract attention is the insistence of established automakers on "safe driving." Of course, this may not conform to the aesthetics and trends of the current young mainstream automotive consumer group, but this is precisely established automakers' understanding of human nature. Most people find it hard not to be distracted by rich entertainment functions. If a driver who is controlling the vehicle has their attention diverted by other unimportant matters, this lays a hidden safety hazard for driving. It is a pity that many automotive consumers/drivers have not realized this. They believe assisted driving can shield them from disasters and misfortune, but there have already been many bloody cases.
The BMW X1's luggage compartment volume is 540L, and it can be expanded to 1700L after folding down the rear seat backs. At the same time, the rear section of the cabin is relatively flat.
In terms of the infotainment system, the BMW X1 comes standard across the lineup with the ninth-generation iDrive operating system. Functions such as interaction design, real-time online navigation, and personal assistant are sufficient. The only issue is that BMW Premium Digital Services only come with a 3-month free trial experience. If paid, would you consider subscribing to such functions?
[Intelligent Assisted Driving Pro]
In BMW X1's official introduction, words related to "intelligent driving" are still mentioned. This is much better than sibling automakers that "change names but not substance." When discussing this issue, a warm reminder first: assisted driving is useful, but it must not be relied upon, let alone abused.
The configuration table provided by a certain automotive vertical website shows that the BMW X1 comes standard across the lineup with functions including reversing camera, cruise control, automatic parking, tracking reverse, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, door open warning, active braking, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist system, fatigue driving reminder, traffic sign recognition, and more;
Functions available for optional installation across the lineup include rear collision warning, lane centering control, 360° panoramic camera, full-speed adaptive cruise, automatic lane change assist, and more.
For a model at the BMW X1's price point, wouldn't you say that opting for any of the above functions is a bit wasteful? The optional price for the 360° panoramic camera is actually 5,500 yuan, while the BMW X1's official configuration table shows that the Intelligent Driving Assistance Pro package has an optional price of 27,500 yuan. At this price, would you consider opting for these two functions?
If you want more usable assisted driving, domestic new energy models at the same price should be a better choice. Moreover, for example, BYD is popularizing assisted driving for everyone, such as the Tang L EV. Not only is the assisted driving relatively more usable, but the power output and zero-to-hundred acceleration may also be more advantageous. Even the driving and ride performance of new energy models at this price may already be better than the BMW X1. It's just that they are not "BMW."
[Configuration Differences]
It is believed that the BMW X1 M35Li is a niche choice for a niche group. In this section, we expand on the main configuration differences among the four versions of the 25 series.
First, there are two sDrive front-engine front-wheel-drive versions and two xDrive front-engine four-wheel-drive versions. Referring to dealership selling prices, the price difference between the front-wheel-drive version and the four-wheel-drive version is just over 20,000 yuan. For consumers, it is not difficult to choose between front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. From the positioning of the BMW X1 as an urban SUV, front-wheel drive can handle the vast majority of road conditions. As for some road conditions leaning toward hardcore off-roading, even if xDrive is capable enough, you may still be unable to fully enjoy particularly harsh road conditions due to limitations such as the unibody chassis and dual-clutch transmission. Therefore, if most of the use is daily commuting, it is recommended to prioritize the sDrive front-wheel-drive version.
Using a certain automotive vertical website's comparison tool, the main difference between the X Design package and the M Sport package lies in the different kits, so for the two package versions of front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, you can simply choose according to your own subjective preference.
Summary:
Actually, if it were not for the dual-clutch transmission, the 2025 BMW X1's engine could be tolerated. After all, the sDrive accelerates from zero to hundred in 7.9 seconds, and the xDrive in 7.7 seconds, which is sufficient for most drivers' skill levels and for coping with urban congested road conditions. It is just that the hardware characteristics of the dual-clutch determine that "jerking" is almost unavoidable, and this phenomenon may be more obvious when following a car slowly in urban congested traffic.
At this price, not to mention new energy vehicles, there are many good choices among fuel models as well, such as the Highlander/Lufang Hybrid, such as the Nissan Pathfinder, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, such as the Envision PLUS, such as the Edge, and so on.
From the perspective of an experienced driver simply looking at the vehicle's product strength, the BMW X1 has only brand power left, plus a fairly distinctive high appearance and a classic interior design. So if BMW does not plan to confront domestic cars head-on in the new energy track, then shouldn't it show more sincerity on the fuel track?
Note: The images in the article are from the internet and will be deleted if infringing! Written impromptu without review, please forgive any errors or omissions!
