2024 BMW X1 M35i Review: Bigger, Fancier, Hot Hatch

We like the current BMW X1 plenty here at AutoGuide.

When we first drove it, we declared it finally felt like a proper BMW. It then won a comparison against a larger, more expensive competitor.

Yet I approached this M35i model, new for ’24, with some trepidation. The X2 M35i with which it shares much of its underpinnings had one of the harshest rides I’ve experienced this year—and that was on the pristine roads of Portugal. Would putting on a hot hatch act undo all the progress the regular X1 had made in the small SUV scene?

I had a week to find out, but it took only a few miles to find the answer: nope.

The X1 moved to a new generation last year. Still on an evolution of the front-drive-biased UKL2 platform that underpins every Mini as well as the afore-mentioned X2, it grew in most every direction and introduced a spacious cabin without an iDrive rotary controller. The X1 came in just one flavor at launch in America and Canada: the xDrive28i, which in (now old) BMW parlance translated to an all-wheel drive, 2.0-liter turbo-four setup. The four-pot sent its 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The M35i debuts this year, providing a hotter option for BMW’s smallest SAV. Horsepower is up a solid 71 ponies, to 312 hp total—yet torque stays the same. So does the transmission. An adaptive suspension, uprated brakes, sport seats, and a host of other upgrades round out the package.

The X1 checks all the expected boxes on its way to M-ification. Where the standard model has a silver-painted faux skid plate and black contrasting wheel arches to signify some semblance of off-roading, the M35i goes for a gaping front bumper and body-color extensions. It’s a similar story out back, where you’ll find a quartet of tailpipes poking out from under the redesigned bumper. Yep, that’s no longer exclusive to full-M products. Window trim is switched to black, and it’s all done up in a very pretty Blue Bay Lagoon Metallic. Throw in some big, intricate 20-inch alloy wheels and the X1 is one attractive not-so-cute-ute.

BMW’s inline-sixes tend to (justifiably) get all the attention, but the B48 slotted behind the X1’s reasonably-sized kidneys deserves a round or three of applause too. It’s an eager little thing, hitting max torque early yet still happy to run towards the upper reaches of the tachometer. The paddle shifters are responsive and allow drivers to downshift right close to redline. Pull the left paddle for a few seconds and the M35i activates Boost Mode, switching every drive setting to the most aggressive in 10-second bursts. It’s a bit of silly fun, and the world could use more of that.

The dual-clutch is largely well-mannered. Yes, there’s some hesitance as the X1 pulls away from traffic lights, where it isn’t entirely clear how much more throttle one must feed in. Once on the roll however, the X1’s ‘box never puts a shift wrong. When tootling around town it blends ratios like a good DJ does songs; in sport mode, each shift fires off with a meaningful quickness.

Aiming the M35i at some of my go-to wriggly roads, the baby BMW impresses. The adaptive suspension allows the X1 to tighten up its reflexes here, maintaining a nearly-flat stance through mid- to high-speed corners. There’s a lot of grip out front; a limited-slip differential puts in the work, as the xDrive system is predominantly front-drive until it senses slip. With the LSD, the X1 is tidy and well-balanced.

The steering wheel is over-thick in that typical modern M way, but it is quick and blessed with reasonable weight. It’s easy to simply hop in and get comfortable wringing the X1 out. Those big brakes prove more than capable on the road, with positive feel from the top of the pedal and zero fade.

Yes, the X1’s suspension is adaptive. Yes, it’s also still stiff in the most relaxed setting. Not as punishing as the X2 equivalent mind you; just enough firmness to remind driver (and passengers) that there’s an iconic letter on the tailgate. While there's a noticeable thump over larger bumps, the M35i quickly settles.

The M35i swaps in superb M sport seats, which not only look great but prove plenty comfortable. No, they’re not the thigh-separator ones from the M8 or M3 CS, thankfully. There’s good bolstering but not too much, and unless you told someone this was artificial leather (“Veganza”) they’d never know.

The X1 cabin is one of BMW’s best. Not only because it’s spacious—again, X3 why?—but because it successfully moves away from a well-worn template. The low-profile dashboard, a sizeable storage shelf in place of a traditional center console, those angular door handles—the X1 is arguably more dramatic than its big siblings. There are a lot of textures, which may not appeal to everybody, but the X1 never feels like a penny-pinching value play.

A cavernous load bay and the 40/20/40 folding seats ensure the M35i still lives up to the practicality demands of any X1, too.

If there’s one blemish on the scorecard, it’s the lack of notable changes for M duty. The seats and steering wheel are about it.

Time with the M8 has reminded me that newer isn’t always better. The infotainment setup in the X1 is largely good: iDrive 9.0 looks good, has quick responses, and so, so much customization potential. BMW’s voice assistant is one of the better ones on the market, too. But the almost complete removal of physical buttons, not to mention an iDrive rotary dial, makes adjustments via muscle memory nearly impossible.

Another step back: drive mode selection. Before it was a simple press of a single button: now it’s a press, select the mode on the touchscreen and… the selection screen just stays there, requiring another input if, say, you want to get back to navigation. Boo.

The last complaint is admittedly anecdotal: I’ve had numerous BMW press cars introduce around a second or two of audio skip. Always on (wireless) CarPlay, always on Spotify, like the ghost of all those shaken portable CD players I broke in the ‘90s.

The X1 M35i starts from $50,895 in America, including destination. As-equipped, which is basically ticking every box, puts it at a serious $58,495. In Canada, the X1 M35i starts at $59,980 CAD, while this one balloons up a serious $70,480 CAD. In both situations, you’re looking at basically a five-figure upgrade over the regular X1—and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the M35i starts at almost exactly where the new X3 will begin.

That’s a lot of coin for a front-biased BMW, sure. You’ll be spending that much just to start for a Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 mind you, and while the Merc is boxy-cool and undoubtedly more practical, it isn’t as fun to hustle. Beyond the (GL)B, there isn’t much in the way of direct competitors for this X1. Your choices are either bigger and softer, or to lean into the hot hatch side on the mainstream.

The 2024 BMW X1 M35i is an excellent small SUV all-rounder. It’s engaging and quick in the way BMW buyers will want, yet still plenty practical and daily-driver liveable. The hefty price tag limits its appeal against the already-exceptional regular X1—and both models share the same infotainment foibles—but for those wanting an extra dash of spice in a package this size and shape, nothing else does it.

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