BMW’s X1 has been a steady seller in India since it first arrived back in 2009, and the brand’s playbook here is a familiar one: take a proven model, stretch the wheelbase for the Indian market’s love of rear-seat space, and let the electric iX1 LWB pave the way first. That EV has outsold the standard-wheelbase ICE version by a healthy margin since launch, and now the petrol X1 gets the same long-wheelbase treatment.
What’s Changed, and What Hasn’t
Visually, very little sets the LWB apart from the standard X1. The face is identical - same satin-finish kidney grille, same adaptive LED headlamps - and the rear is unchanged too. The difference shows up in profile: the X1 LWB is 116mm longer overall at 4,616mm, with the wheelbase itself stretched by 108mm to 2,800mm - just 65mm short of the X3’s wheelbase. Build quality and fit and finish are exactly what you’d expect from BMW, with four paint options on offer including a striking Skyscraper Grey.
At launch, the long-wheelbase treatment is available with the petrol engine only - a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo unit, now bumped from 134 BHP to 154 BHP, alongside 230 Nm of torque. The regular wheelbase X1 continues on sale with the 2.0-litre diesel for now, with the diesel LWB expected to follow later.
Driving the X1 Petrol
The 1.5-litre engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic are tuned for smoothness over outright pace, and it shows. Response at low speeds is strong enough to keep up with city traffic comfortably, power delivery is linear, and the car settles into a smooth, refined character once the engine warms up. On the open road, it’s an adequate rather than exciting performer - front-wheel drive and modest power figures mean this isn’t a car built for enthusiastic driving, but it never feels underpowered either. The mid-range pulls well, overtakes are easy, and cruising at 100-120 km/h is effortless with the engine barely working.
The dual-clutch gearbox is a highlight - smooth and near-imperceptible in everyday driving, quick to respond, and rarely caught in the wrong gear. Sport mode sharpens things up for a more engaging feel. One surprising omission: there are no paddle shifters, so manual gear control is limited to an emergency-only M mode accessed through the gear selector.
Refinement is strong for a three-cylinder engine - there’s a light thrum under revs but nothing excessive, vibrations are well controlled, and wind and tyre noise stay low even at triple-digit speeds.
Ride, Handling, and Steering
The suspension hardware is shared with the standard-wheelbase X1, but the tuning leans further toward comfort on the LWB. Low-speed ride is compliant, handling small to medium potholes well, though sharper bumps do register in the cabin. Ride quality improves as speed builds, in typical European fashion, with larger bumps absorbed with ease.
Straight-line stability is excellent, and the X1 holds its composure over expansion joints at highway speeds without any drama. Handling is confident with the 50:50 weight distribution BMW is known for - body roll is well controlled through sweeping corners, though this remains an entry-level BMW rather than an outright driver’s car. Steering is light and easy in the city, weighs up nicely on the highway, and stays accurate through corners, if a touch light on feedback compared to other BMWs.
Braking is strong and composed, with discs on all four wheels and Cornering Brake Control as standard.
Where the extra space goes
The interior is shared with the iX1 LWB, with genuinely good material quality and a choice of upholstery finishes, including a maroon-toned Castanea leather and a Smoke White and Atlas Grey dual-tone option. The M Sport steering wheel feels great in hand, and the front seats offer strong support with good side bolstering, though they miss out on lumbar support, a massage function, and the extendable under-thigh support available on the standard-wheelbase car. BMW’s latest OS 9 infotainment system carries over from the iX1, with a crisp display and connected services.
The real story is the back seat. Knee room is up by 109mm, the seat base is 15mm longer with softer cushioning for better under-thigh support, and - unlike the iX1 LWB, where the battery pack raises the floor - passengers here sit with their knees in a natural position rather than knees-up. Backrests recline individually, and pushing the front passenger seat forward opens up genuine stretch-out room. The extra glass area brightens the cabin nicely, though rear sunshades would have been a welcome addition.
Boot space comes in at a useful 540 litres - up from 476 litres on the standard-wheelbase X1 - expanding to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded in a 40:20:40 split. A space-saver spare sits neatly under the boot floor without eating into luggage room, though the car does without a 12V outlet or open storage nets that the regular-wheelbase version offers, and rear passengers get just one USB-C port instead of two.
Verdict
The BMW X1 LWB is a straightforward proposition: same badge, same everyday manners, and a meaningfully roomier back seat for buyers who prioritise rear passenger comfort over outright driving thrills. The petrol engine and gearbox combination is smooth and easy to live with, even if it isn’t the quickest way to cover ground, and the extra space genuinely changes how usable the back seat feels for families. Pricing for the long-wheelbase starts at ₹50.90 lakh for the petrol ex-showroom.
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