DecodedCars2026 BMW X1
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- M35i Xdrive 4dr SUV, Xdrive28i 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 312 hp
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 25 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 177.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,827–3,856 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 BMW X1 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,827 lb (M35i Xdrive 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway), 8% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 X1 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 X1 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Regensburg, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2026 X1 configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M35i Xdrive 4dr SUV | 177.2 in | 72.8 in | 64.2 in | 105.9 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,827 lb | 57/43 |
| Xdrive28i 4dr SUV | 177.2 in | 72.8 in | 64.2 in | 105.9 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,856 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1 xDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | +8% | $2,950 | 311 |
| X1 M35i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +4% | $3,050 | 327 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 BMW X1.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW X1 (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi Q5 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Volvo XC60 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Lexus NX | 40 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi Q3 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Volvo XC40 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Oct 21, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V717000 · 1,024 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2026 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, X2, and Mini Countryman S ALL4 vehicles. The housing pin in the rear (left and/or right) seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production, resulting in the retractor not locking the seat belt as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
- Risk
- A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rear (left and/or right) seat belts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov December 12, 2025.
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor · Sep 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V616000 · 1,571 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
- Risk
- A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 7, 2025.
Not every 2026 BMW X1 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other X1 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 X1 | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 X1 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 17 |
| 2024 X1 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 30 |
| 2023 X1 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 70 |
| 2022 X1 | 27 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 X1 | 27 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 10 |
| 2020 X1 | 27 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 13 |
| 2019 X1 | 26 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 13 |
| 2018 X1 | 26 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 60 |
| 2017 X1 | 26 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 164 |
| 2016 X1 | 25 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 163 |
| 2015 X1 | 26 | 175.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 94 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →