DecodedCars2021 BMW X1
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- 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)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 174.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,660 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
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 11 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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 27 MPG combined (24 city / 33 highway), 12% better than the 2021 large car average of 24.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 X1 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 X1 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Regensburg, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2021 X1 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xdrive28i 4dr SUV | 174.8 in | 71.7 in | 63.4 in | 105.1 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 3,660 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 sDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +12% | $3,050 | 327 |
| X1 xDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +8% | $3,150 | 342 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 BMW X1.
Similar 2021 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW X1 (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 353 mi | ★★★★★ | 22 |
| 2021 Audi TTS | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 BMW 2 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Jaguar XE | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 BMW X2 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Seat Belts · Jul 21, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V554000 · 21,537 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Not every 2021 BMW X1 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 BMW X1 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 59,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 BMW X1. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X1 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 X1 | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 X1 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 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 |
| 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 →