Are you ready to pay more than $60K for an entry-level 2023 BMW X1? Pricing up but specs steady for Volvo XC40, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA rival

BMW's entry-level SUV, the compact X1, has quietly cracked the $60,000 barrier thanks to a substantial price hike applied only four months after the latest version hit local showrooms.

The third-generation X1 was launched here in November 2022 at $53,900 for the 1.5-litre three-cylinder, FWD X1 sDrive18i, rising to $65,900 for the more premium 2.0-litre four-cylinder, AWD X1 xDrive20i.

While those prices represented jumps of over 10 per cent compared to the outgoing model, the standard equipment list was (and is) packed, especially for the sDrive18i.

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But now, that entry-level car weighs in at $60,400, before on-road costs, an increase of no less than $6500, with the xDrive20i jumping $4500 to $70,400.

A $3000 'M Sport' pack, available on the top-spec car only, means the more focused X1 xDrive20i M Sport has also risen by $4500, from $68,900 to $73,400.

So, where are the spec improvements to underpin these rises of between seven and 12 per cent? That's easy, there aren't any.

BMW Australia is on the record in response to the increases, reiterating its practice of regular pricing structure reviews, in a statement telling CarsGuide it takes “a number of different factors” into consideration, while aiming to remain price competitive.

The repricing puts an even bigger gap between the X1 and key rivals like the Audi Q3 (from $50,600) and Volvo XC40 (from $53,490).

However it now only just undercuts the one-size-larger Lexus NX (from $61,900), although the Mercedes-Benz GLA still tops the category price chart (from $63,200).