Is the BMW X1 xDrive25e Plug-in Hybrid a Good Car?

If you’re looking for a high-end PHEV with plenty of luxury features, the BMW X1 is a great choice.
Written by Sean Boehme
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
BMW X1
xDrive25e plug-in hybrid offers significantly better handling and performance than most other PHEVs on the market. The car is also available with many of the high-end features buyers have come to expect from the luxury brand.
Plug-in hybrids act as a sort of compromise for drivers who want the versatility of a traditional hybrid with the efficiency of a fully electric vehicle. The options for PHEVs have grown in recent years and nearly every top automaker has at least one plug-in hybrid within their lineup.
Have your eyes on the BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid?
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison
super app
is here to break down everything you need to know about BMW’s high-end PHEV. 

BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid

With plug-in hybrids becoming more and more common among more affordable brands, many PHEVs now lean more towards practicality than performance. That’s not the case with the BMW X1, which has a top speed of 119 mph and excellent handling to pair with it.
The bad news? The
BMW X1 PHEV
isn’t available in the United States. If it were, you’d have to pay a steep price of around $46,000 just for the privilege of driving one. 
If you live outside of the U.S. or you just have an interest in PHEVs of all kinds, read on to learn more about the BMW X1’s cost, performance, and features.

Pricing

It’s not surprising considering it's a
high-end luxury SUV
, but the BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid costs a lot. A good deal on the BMW X1 PHEV would mean paying around $45,000, but it’s not unlikely that the vehicle would cost you $50,000 or more.
If this car were available in the U.S., it would likely make you eligible for a
federal tax credit
of around $5,000. That’s something to keep in mind if the X1 or another high-end BMW PHEV becomes available in the future.

Performance and fuel economy

Here is where the BMW X1 PHEV shines. The BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid comes equipped with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder standard engine alongside an additional electric engine that produces 93 hp. Altogether, the X1 gets 220 hp, which is far superior to many other PHEVs. 
As far as mileage, the BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid does as well as you might expect. The car has a pure electric range between 30 to 35 miles and can supposedly achieve a whopping 110 MPGe
The BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid’s charging time is standard, if a bit on the long end. Using a level 2 charger it should take about three hours to recharge your electric engine, although it’ll be much longer if using a standard outlet. 
All in all, the BMW X1 xDrive25e delivers outrageous efficiency without compromising on the driving experience. The car’s performance stands head and shoulder above PHEVs at lower price points.

Exterior styling

The BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid looks exactly like what you’d expect: a high-end crossover SUV. For some people that’s great, for others, it’s a body style they’ll never quite come to appreciate.
If you want your money to go towards a flashy car, the X1 might not be the right choice. If you’re okay with something that's humble yet sharp and has a few hints of luxury, this is the ride for you. 

Interior and comfort

The BMW X1 has a reputation as one of the
roomier crossover SUVs
and the PHEV variant doesn’t change that. Both front and back row passengers can enjoy plenty of legroom and the trunk has an impressive amount of space.
Synthetic leather seating throughout the cabin is another plus, although all-in-all the cabin is relatively simple.
MORE: BMW car-buying guide
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Technology

Luxury vehicles
have seemingly become known for their gadgets just as much as they are known for their performance. This means that a car like the BMW X1 xDrive25e needs to deliver on features. Luckily for buyers, it does.
Some features that come standard with the BMW X1 include:
  • Heated seats
  • An 8.8-inch display screen
  • Collision and lane-departure warning
  • Automatic climate control
There are also a few opportunities for significant upgrades, such as switching out the standard audio system for a premium 12-speaker setup. If driving a PHEV already gives you a futuristic vibe, the X1s technology will only enhance that.

Trim levels and options

The BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid is already a variation on the standard X1 and as such it could be considered a
trim level itself
. Assuming you’ve got your eyes on a plug-in hybrid X1, this is your only option.
Of course, you could instead decide on the BMW X2 PHEV. While the X2 is the more expensive option, it does offer slightly upgraded performance and a better-looking exterior.

Warranty coverage

When you buy the BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid it’ll come with two sets of coverage. They are:
  • Limited warranty: three years and unlimited miles
  • Battery warranty: six-year or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first
Gaining battery coverage that lasts for six years is a serious bonus when buying a hybrid. BMWs bought in the American market also enjoy complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. 

The bottom line

If you want a car that doesn’t compromise on performance or efficiency, then the X1 is probably a good choice. If you’re not in it for the speed and handling, you can save some money by jumping down to a car with a lower price tag.
Of course, the car’s unavailability in the U.S. is a major factor for Americans looking to buy one. If you’re in that group, you’re better off considering a competitor that you could go out and purchase today.

BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid vs 2021 Lexus NX

The
Lexus NX
PHEV can offer much of what the BMW X1’s plug-in hybrid can, and it does so at a more affordable price
The Lexus PHEV delivers an acceptable 84 MPGe and has an all-electric range of around 36 miles. The Lexus NX also offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo, even rivaling the BMW X1.
Where the NX falls behind is with performance, and it does so dramatically. Compared to the excitement of driving an X1, the Lexus NX hybrid won’t feel much more exciting than a commuter car priced far more affordably.
Model
Starting price
Fuel economy (gas only)
Fuel economy (gas + electric)
Driving range
Charging time (Level 2)
Hybrid battery warranty
BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid
$46,000
47 mpg
110 MPGe
30-35 miles
3 hours
6 years or 60,000 miles.
2021 Lexus NX 300h PHEV
$41,000
33 mpg
84 MPGe
36 miles
2.5 hours
10 years or 100,000 miles.
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BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid vs Volvo XC60 Plug-in hybrid

The
Volvo XC60
PHEV is one of the BMW X1 xDrive 25e’s truest competitors, and probably your best option if you live in the United States.
The XC60 Plugin hybrid’s fuel efficiency isn’t the best. It gets 57 combined MPGe and just 27 mpg when using exclusively gasoline. However, the SUV is a joy to drive and offers even more in the way of technology than the X1.
Model
Starting price
Fuel economy (gas only)
Fuel economy (gas + electric)
Driving range
Charging time (Level 2)
Hybrid battery warranty
BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid
$46,000
47 mpg
110 MPGe
30-35 miles
3 hours
6 years or 60,000 miles.
2021 Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid
$54,000
27 mpg
57 MPGe
19 miles
3 hours
8 years or 100,000 miles

How to save money on car insurance

Buying a luxury PHEV is going to cost a lot of money, although you’ll save some money on gas and probably enjoy an electric tax credit when you buy the car. If you want to save even more money, you should consider revisiting your coverage using Jerry.
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