Having spent years under the hoods of countless vehicles, I thought I’d seen it all. Then my wife brought home her 2013 Bmw X1 this past June, and last month, I finally got to put it through its paces. Let me tell you, this car is an interesting mix of classic BMW driving dynamics and, shall we say, early 2010s technology.
First things first, let’s talk about what this 2013 BMW X1 gets right, because it gets a lot right. The engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, is a gem. BMW rates it at 240 horsepower, and honestly, it feels every bit of it. The power delivery is incredibly smooth and responsive, far more refined than I initially anticipated. BMW’s claim of 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds seemed ambitious on paper, but behind the wheel, it’s genuinely believable. This little SUV is quick, no question about it.
And the 8-speed automatic transmission? It’s a masterclass in modern automatic gearboxes. Shifts are seamless, decisive, and lightning-fast. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or pushing it on a back road, this transmission always seems to be in the right gear. It’s a significant step up from the automatics of just a decade prior and contributes greatly to the enjoyable driving experience of the 2013 BMW X1.
Inside, the 2013 BMW X1 maintains that classic BMW interior aesthetic. If you’re familiar with BMW interiors, you’ll feel right at home. The materials are high quality, especially with the Xline package my wife opted for, which includes genuine leather. She’s not a fan of wood trim in cars, so she chose the “high-gloss dark copper” trim, which is a unique, sparkly root beer color that actually looks quite stylish. We’ve had BMWs with brushed aluminum in the past, and this copper trim offers a warmer, more distinctive feel. BMW has consistently delivered excellent interiors for years, going back to the 80s and 90s models I’ve worked on, and the 2013 X1 is no exception.
However, stepping into the tech side of this 2013 BMW X1 is where things get a bit…dated. And this is coming from someone who generally embraces technology.
The iPhone interface is the first hurdle. Want to do more than just charge your phone? You’ll need a specific BMW iPod interface adapter. Yes, you read that right. In 2013, this was apparently cutting-edge, but by today’s standards, it feels incredibly clunky. My wife and I had to dig out the owner’s manual just to figure out how to connect her phone for basic audio playback. Even basic economy cars these days offer seamless smartphone integration. The Toyota Fortuner I drive regularly in Abu Dhabi and my father-in-law’s 2013 Chevy Cruze both offer much more intuitive and user-friendly phone connectivity right out of the box.
Then there’s the Bluetooth system in the 2013 BMW X1. Setting it up was a 20-minute ordeal involving the owner’s manual, and even once connected, its functionality is limited. It doesn’t recognize contacts or support voice commands beyond basic calls. For a vehicle in this price range, it’s surprisingly basic. You can access Siri by holding the phone button, but that defeats the purpose of having steering wheel controls for hands-free operation. It’s a far cry from the simple Bluetooth speaker I bought for $25 that clips to my sun visor and provides full voice command functionality.
The gear shifter is another point of contention. BMW’s electronic gear selectors from this era are… different. It’s not intuitive, and I still manage to get the dreaded “ding” every time I drive the car. For someone who operates complex radar systems, this shifter feels unnecessarily complicated.
Finally, let’s talk about the auto stop/start system. BMW claims it improves fuel economy by about 3%, but in real-world driving, it can be more of an annoyance than a benefit. My wife routinely turns it off as part of her pre-drive checklist. In moderate temperatures, it works reasonably well, albeit with a slight jolt when restarting. However, in warmer weather, the system seems indecisive, constantly starting and stopping, especially with the air conditioning running. The restart when auto-starting for the AC is particularly jarring, shaking the whole car in an unpleasant manner.
Despite these technological quirks, it’s important to emphasize that the 2013 BMW X1 is fundamentally a very good vehicle. It’s excellent on the highway, offering a comfortable and quiet ride. Fuel economy is respectable, and it can realistically accommodate five adults for shorter trips. My personal gripes with the shifter and the auto stop/start shouldn’t overshadow the brilliance of the transmission and the overall driving experience. The sport mode, in particular, is fantastic, offering a driving feel that’s both engaging and responsive, even with an automatic. For the first time, I can honestly say I might prefer this automatic to a manual transmission in a vehicle like this.
And let’s not forget the aesthetics. The gunmetal gray paint (apparently a rare order) and the upgraded wheels really make this 2013 BMW X1 stand out. It’s a handsome vehicle that still looks modern despite its age. We anticipate keeping this car for the duration of the lease to see how it holds up over time, how well it handles our dogs, and how it fares under regular use. Given my positive past experiences with BMW reliability – having owned several older models myself – I’m not expecting any major issues.
Ultimately, my issues with the 2013 BMW X1 are primarily with its aging technology, not with the car itself. It’s a testament to BMW’s engineering that even a decade later, the driving dynamics and build quality of the X1 are still impressive. While the tech might feel a bit outdated to a modern user, the core BMW driving experience remains very much intact. If you’re considering a used 2013 BMW X1, be aware of its technological limitations, but don’t let that overshadow the fact that it’s still a fun-to-drive, well-built, and surprisingly practical small SUV.
