Browse over 9,000 car reviews

BMW X1 vs BMW X5

What's the difference?

VS
BMW X1
BMW X1

$49,278 - $88,888

2023 price

BMW X5
BMW X5

$114,800 - $183,900

2024 price

Summary

2023 BMW X1
2024 BMW X5
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 6, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
7.2L/100km (combined)

9.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Pricey
  • Servicing on the expensive side
  • Small fuel tank

  • Space-saver spare
  • Busy control panel
  • Passenger dash glare
2023 BMW X1 Summary

BMW’s X1 has changed. In a good way. Especially if you’re thinking about buying one as a family car.

Yep, last year the third-generation X1 arrived and after 13 years and three different attempts on a design, BMW has nailed it. And by ‘it’ I mean built a super practical and spacious small SUV that’s great to drive. 

See, as a dad of two kids, when it comes to cars and my family ‘it’ means something totally different to what ‘it’ meant 10 years ago.

And that’s what this review is about: does the BMW X1, and specifically this xDrive20i M Sport variant we’ve tested here, make a good family car?

If you're thinking of buying it for your family then you need to read this and also consider the likes of Audi’s Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLB.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a BMW X1?
2024 BMW X5 Summary

The BMW X5 is a leading contender in the ‘Over $70K Large SUV’ division of Australia’s new car market, which is a hotly-contested segment boasting 15 marques and 25 models.

The X5 has hit an enduring sweet spot with Aussie buyers in terms of size, performance and price. BMW prefers to call it a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) as distinct from its Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) rivals.

Clearly, any word association with a utility is something BMW Group Australia wants to avoid after recently launching its latest X5 range, which brings numerous enhancements including design revisions, increased standard equipment, refreshed powertrains and more.

We were entrusted with the digital ‘Comfort Access’ key to one of the latest X5s, to understand from a family car perspective why this model range enjoys such enduring popularity with prestige SUV (sorry, SAV) buyers.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a BMW X5?

Deep dive comparison

2023 BMW X1 2024 BMW X5

Change vehicle