BMW X1 vs X3 comparison REVIEW (M Sport)

another great review and for a non native English speaker most impressive. I have had my X1 30E M Sport since January and when plug in regularly ( my tarrif is 10 pence per KWH and I average 3.5 miles per KW) its impressive as well as the electric range which for a car this size is pretty near top of thr class. The acceleration is really impressive and driving experience is very good. I chose 20 inch wheels which are not to everyones taste in terms of ride but I am happy with them. The lack of a rotary controller is a bit of a miss by BMW and the very small centre console hatch that is designed to open for left hand drive not for the UK ! I have cut my running costs considerably by investing in a 7kw wall charger. So overall I love the car and it would be even better if there was more robust App connectivity with the car, a rotary controller and a more simplified was of swithcing between hybrid, electric and ICE. 😀

The pretty girl in the passenger seat is a nice touch😎

Can you do ix1 vs ix3? They're the same price in Australia

Is the boost mode available on the xline 25e with the M steering wheel?

Thank you, Thomas! I have recently found your channel and have learned a lot with your reviews and comparisons. I have subscribed and am looking forward to new videos. I have a question about this one, however. Could you comment a little more on the color of the X1? It looks very blue in the video, but on the BMW website, it looks more turquoise/green. What would you say the color is? Whether I order it or not depends on how blue the color truly is. Thank you again.

Sounds to me like the X1 is the better out of the two. I would like to see a test between the first ever X3 and this X1, or a comparison between the two. I am aware there is almost a 20 year gap and the engines have shrunk in size, but the comfort and the space would not be far off, between those two.

This guy is very soothing.

from my point of view the X3 ist much more stable than the X1 with highspeed in the Autobahn!

Thomas, excellent reportage! I would really like to know which sport utility would. YOU have chosen for yourself?

😀

Hold on Thomas, who's your assistant? Can we get her opinion? 🤠

Very interesting comparison. I owe a X3 3.0d and I am ready to buy a X1, since the daughters have grown up and I do not need such a big car. But, as I went to see the X1, big surprise, it is no such little as I expected: 21 cm less but plenty of space where it is needed. So, no game: X1 will be soon in my garage.

I see the X1 as being pointless, when there are X3, X5 and X7.

X3 might be the best choice among all bmw suv families. New X1 looks fresh but still feels junior and current model X5 is pricy and looks too much similar to x3

I don't think the interior of the X3 facelift looks "dated". It feels and looks more...premium tbh
The new X1 is way too clean and boring inside. The only thing better is the newer display but i would be happy with the lci version of the X3 too.

There is a big price difference, so some minor omissions in the X1 can be forgiven. But not all. In Australia the X1 does not offer lumbar adjustment. That's a big consideration for seat comfort and why I walked away from buying one, so I am surprised by Thomas finding the X1 seat to be better than the X3.

Recently I had a X1 as a rental car. Tried to charge my iPhone with its hard cover… impossible! With my wireless charger at home: No problem.

I’ve just taken delivery of the BMW Active Tourer and everyone says ‘I like your new X1’….

Thank you for your comprehensive and clear review! I have previously owned an X1 and have been driving the new X1 Plug-in Hybrid for a week now. I completely agree with your experience in terms of comfort, driving and user interface. What I would like to add is that the new X1 has a fixed centre console with a very shallow, narrow upper storage compartment. This is really a design flaw in my opinion. Because it is fixed, the lower part of the console is not easily accessible and the upper compartment is shaped in such a way that hardly anything can be stored in it. That loss of (usefull) space is such a shame!

Sound is hideous had to stop watching

X1 is on the mini countryman chassis, way less aluminum suspension components, will rust. Not a true BMW product. If you can afford an X1, buy an X3.

FYI, depending on the state, passing on the right is either highly frowned upon and unsafe or -- more often -- illegal in the US. Having said that, similar to speeding, this law is often disregarded.

A good comparison as of right now. A bit biased towards the X1 as it is new and the X3 (even though facelifted) is getting old. I’m looking forward to the new X3 lineup Neue Klasse in 2025 and see how do you feel then.

X1 very beatifull

Fantastic! Thank you so much :) I am waiting for my X1 30e to come soon

I don’t understand the insistence of car manufacturers on for touch controls. Although Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto is generally what people use, it still good to have physical rotary controls for Climate Control and Volume. iDrive was always a pleasure to use and should have been retained. Btw does BMW still charge a subscription for CarPlay?

The X1 is impressive, feels like a smarter buy.

Perfect video at all

Love X3£

I don't understand. Why get an X3, if for the same price you can get a 5 series? The 5 series is way better in build quality and interior... X3 is basically a 3-series quality for a 5-series price....
Sedans for the win, I guess...

Hi Thomas! Great reviews! I got the X1 and indeed it is a large car. I drove a X4 and it seemed way smaller, especially in the back.

Hi..the X1 you tested rear wheel or X drive?

Physical buttons in the X3...massive plus!

I have X1 2023 U 11 full loaded and still cheaper than the X3. I am missing the engine of the X3 that s the negative part. For the price X1 hands down.

The X1's shorter screen for the instruments kinda ruins the whole thing. You can really see that thick top border when driving in sunlight. I'm amazed that they chose to cheap out on it and not use the same display as the center one, with bigger "dials" to fill it up obv. Such a shame.

X1 has lost the bmw feeling😢…

I have 2019 X1 fully optioned wirh 19" Niche wheels. In October when it's available, I'm ordering the new 2024 X1 M35i with the option 20" wheels. By the way the turning knob is called a dial. The new M35i is without a doubt much better than the current X3 and is much cooler too. The M interior is absolutely stunning.

Very nice review. I really wish that beautify lady next to you showed her face. 🙂

I never liked X1, but Thomas changed my opinion. If I had to buy a car I’d definitely consider the X1

Really interesting review. Definitely the X1 for me too 👍

Hello Thomas, great video, how you will compare driving filling of x1 30e and x1 23i. 23i has 2.0 l 3 cylinders, it makes a difference?

Not sure why, both gens of x1 always look too minivan to me.

Hi Thomas, I am thinking of having the 30e X Line model - i prefer the smaller wheels on the X Line compared to the M Sport. But the M Sport has paddle shift but X Line not? Can you not have boost mode in the X Line as I see you engaged this via the paddles?

i prefer x3 front and rear of x1

I think I'd miss the i-Drive controller and manual HVAC compared to my my current 4 series (G23). X1 is very tempting as a package, though.

The issue is if you’ve got two growing kids you’re not going to get the x1 given the space for passengers is not so great in the x1. In which case my decision would certainly be between an x3 or x5.

The issue is if you’ve got two growing kids you’re not going to get the x1 given the space for passengers is not so great in the x1. In which case my decision would certainly be between an x3 or x5.

You're absolutely right Thomas, save the rotary dial and climate buttons!!

Hello Thomas, and thanks for the test drive and for comparing both models. I actually own a new X1 30e. I am very pleased for my choice. Driving every day in electric mode, i can do 75 kms with one charge. The price difference is a lot for only a few details.