This third generation X1 completes the visual switch of this model line from Crossover to fully-fledged SUV. It's larger than its predecessor too, 53mm longer, 24mm wider and 44mm taller. At the front, slim LED headlights flank the large, almost square BMW kidney grille. The profile has a dynamically rising character crease. And at the rear, horizontal lines and the narrow rear window emphasise the extra body width.
Inside, it's all change, mainly because of the adoption of BMW's 'Operating System 8' media system, which sees the introduction of a 'Curved Display' on the dash top, made up of a 10.7-inch instrument monitor seamlessly joined to a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. The latter display incorporates the 'BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant', a voice control system responding to the command 'Hey BMW'. Wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is standard. And the infotainment set-up now updates itself with 'over-the-air' upgrades, so you'll get into your X1 one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before.
As for practicalities, well the front of the cabin's now more spacious and the seats offer better all-round comfort. A 22mm wheelbase length increase means the rear compartment is roomier too, now with three full-sized seats and a base able to slide by up to 13cms. That aids the larger 540-litre boot too and if you flatten the 40:20:40-split rear backrest, up to 1,600-litres of capacity is available. The PHEV and EV models aren't quite so good here, offering 490-litres with the rear seat up and 1,495-litres with it folded.