As with most mid-cycle updates, the revised X1 mainly benefits from cosmetic and equipment upgrades. The only mechanical change for the X1 is the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, with gear ratio changes and software revisions that BMW says result in smoother shifts and slightly quicker acceleration.
On exterior appearance, the X1 gains some new front-end looks inspired by some of the other recent BMWs. Newly shaped headlights accentuate the outline of the hexagonal quad-headlight setup, the kidney grilles are larger, and a new front lower valance has larger air ducts and a new chrome insert.
The rear sees some minor changes, with redesigned taillights, in which the reverse and turn signal lights are relocated to the bottom of the assemblies, and slightly larger chrome exhaust tips. The M Sport package similarly sees some updates with more aggressive body color-matching front and rear bumpers, side skirts and wheel arch trim.
Complementing the revisions are new color options and wheel designs. The new hues on offer are Storm Bay Metallic, Jucaro Beige, and Misano Blue Metallic. Those looking for a flashback to some classic colors will be sad to learn that BMW dropped Estoril Blue from the X1’s palette.
On the inside, the equipment changes are equally as minimal, with the X1’s infotainment system still retaining iDrive 6 with the same standard 6.5-inch screen as the outgoing model. The optional, larger 8.8-in screen, however, gets some new sat-nav software. Rounding it out is a new shifter for that adjusted ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
Otherwise, the X1 still gets BMW’s latest 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on tap. With the new gear ratios, that yields a 0-60 time of just 6.3 seconds for the all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive28i — versus 6.8 for the old car — and 6.6 seconds for the X1 sDrive28i.
