Currently reading: New BMW X1 receives makeover and hybrid option for 2019

Munich's best selling compact SUV is now capable of 31 electric-only miles in PHEV guise

BMW’s most popular global SUV, the BMW X1, has been given a mid-life makeover, bringing tweaked looks and – for the first time outside of China – a plug-in hybrid version. 

Given that BMW shifted nearly 287,000 examples of the X1 last year, leading the segment, it’s no surprise that visual updates aren’t the most extensive. 

The kidney grille is now larger, in line with its newer siblings, while reshaped lights and bumpers front and rear aim to freshen the X1’s look. Larger diameter exhaust tailpipes, growing from 70mm to 90mm, complete the redesign.

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The M Sport variants also has more styling changes to differentiate it more than before, including a 10mm drop in ride height, larger air intakes and body-coloured styling additions. 

Features such as larger brake discs for the M-Sport variants are also added, alongside new colour and wheel choices for the rest of the range. 

Interior revisions are limited to new materials and upholstery targeted at boosting perceived quality. New contrast stitching is available for the higher-end trim variants, while three new upholstery options feature. 

An optional lighting package brings gives the cabin an ambient glow with six colour choices. The 6.5in, 8.8in and 10.25in (depending on spec) infotainment screens are unchanged. 

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The big story under the bonnet is the introduction of the xDrive25e plug-in variant. On sale in March 2020 (a few months after standard models), it uses a 123bhp, 162lb ft three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 94bhp, 112lb ft electric motor powering the rear wheels for four-wheel drive. 

A 9.7kWh battery pack gives a claimed 31-mile electric-only range. Fuel economy and emissions data is yet to be confirmed.

Alongside that, BMW has added a top-flight 228bhp xDrive25i X1 variant, which is capable of 0-62mph in 6.5sec. However, it won’t be offered in the UK, leaving the current 189bhp xDrive 20i as the most powerful model in the range. Prices for the updated X1 start at £28,795.

The new X1's unveiling follows the reveal, three days ago, of the radically reinvented 1 Series hatchback. Sporting more overt styling changes than its SUV sibling, the Volkswagen Golf rival has made the switch to a front-wheel drive platform in the name of interior space and practicality. 

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Thekrankis 29 May 2019

Ow, my eyes!

Anyone have Bangle’s phone number?

This is extrordinarily ugly.....

230SL 29 May 2019

Quite like the current X1 but

Quite like the current X1 but have always thought has looked better in the M Sport trim which does with out the SUV cues and when d badged manages to look an unpretentious practical hatch, that new grill though, the old one looked a bit too big, the new one just looks worse.

m2srt 29 May 2019

A obvious omission.

So either no diesel option or Autocar has chosen to omit them from this article.
xxxx 29 May 2019

Diesel

According to MSN there'll be 2 versions of 2.0 diesel, although I'm not sure if they'll be coming to the UK, my guess is they will.