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2018 BMW X1

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

BMW X1
Pictured: 2018 BMW X1 sDrive18i xLine 1.5 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
Xdrive28i 4dr SUV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
228 hp
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 23 city / 32 hwy
Length
174.8 in
Curb weight
3,660 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 BMW X1 is a large car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 175 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,660 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 32 highway), 13% better than the 2018 large car average of 23.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 X1 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 X1 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine228 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

xDrive28isDrive28i

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingOptional
Forward collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamOptional
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Regensburg, Germany · Manaus, Brazil · Born, Netherlands

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 X1 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Xdrive28i 4dr SUV174.8 in71.7 in63.4 in105.1 in61.4 / 61.4 in3,660 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
X1 sDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26+13%$3,150337
X1 xDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+8%$3,300349
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.1 MPG2018 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 BMW X1.

Similar 2018 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 BMW X1 (this car)26 MPGNot rated4
2018 BMW 3 Series36 MPG★★★★★0
2018 Lexus IS26 MPGNot rated1
2018 Tesla Model 3310 mi★★★★★19
2018 Audi A336 MPG★★★★★7
2018 Audi A527 MPGNot rated6
2018 Volvo S6029 MPG★★★★★1

Recalls (4)

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Aug 14, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V601000 · 32 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles. The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break.
Risk
A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars · May 9, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V349000 · 106,182 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. In the event of a crash where the occupants head contacts the B-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Risk
In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vertical trim pieces on the upper portion of the interior B-Pillars, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 1, 2019. Second notices will be sent as parts become available, starting on September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights · Jan 30, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V074000 · 5,920 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
Risk
If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · Jul 11, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V465000 · 5,309 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.
Risk
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 BMW X1 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

60Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
13,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Structure › Body20
Unknown Or Other15
Electrical System7
Air Bags6
Engine6
Visibility/Wiper4
Seat Belts3
Steering3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/07: 121/02: 121/06: 122/02: 122/04: 122/08: 122/10: 122/12: 323/02: 123/08: 124/02: 124/03: 124/04: 224/05: 124/07: 124/08: 125/03: 125/06: 125/07: 125/12: 126/01: 126/03: 126/06: 226/10: 120/0722/0222/1023/0824/0424/0825/0726/03max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 BMW X1 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Structure › Body — 20 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  3. Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 13,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 BMW X1. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other X1 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 X128–Not rated00
2026 X128177.2 inNot rated21
2025 X128177.2 inNot rated317
2024 X128177.2 inNot rated330
2023 X128177.2 inNot rated670
2022 X127174.8 inNot rated21
2021 X127174.8 inNot rated110
2020 X127174.8 inNot rated113
2019 X126174.8 inNot rated313
2017 X126174.8 inNot rated4164
2016 X125174.8 inNot rated4163
2015 X126175.2 inNot rated494

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →