2025 BMW X1 M35i

The X1 is the smallest and most affordable offering in BMW's vast lineup of SUVs. There's the X2, which is sleeker and more sporty, and the X3, which is notably bigger. But if all you want is something small and handsome that's going to be good to drive on the daily commute, the X1 might be all you need. This generation is bigger than the one that came before, but not by much. It still has a sort of lifted hatchback vibe that we dig. BMW made slight changes to the X1 for 2025. Heated seats are now standard and some tweaks have been made to the X1's available packages. Read our full Edmunds Expert Rating to see if the X1 is right for you.

This class of SUVs is awash with competition. Those who prefer the three-pointed star can look to both the Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB, though neither offers quite the same level of refinement. Volvo's XC40 might be the BMW's strongest competitor when it comes to luxury and comfort, but it isn't as engaging to drive. For a thorough review of BMW's smallest SUV, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.

The 2025 BMW X1 might be small but that doesn't mean it's boring. This generation of the X1 is a huge improvement over the previous one. It's better to drive and features great in-cabin tech that you'd typically find in much more expensive machinery, and the addition of the M35i xDrive model last year gave it genuine sporting potential. It features the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the base model, but thanks to several improvements, it cranks out 312 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This is one of the quickest models in the class and a great alternative to larger, pricier options.