Don’t let the BMW X1 fool you. It’s the most affordable BMW SUV in the line-up but that doesn’t mean it lacks an athletic nature or luxurious comfort and convenience. Then adding the M Sport package takes everything to the next level. The 2024 BMW X1 M Sport shines out like a gem against drab rivals. 

Is the 2024 BMW X1 M Sport worth buying? 

Yes, the 2024 BMW X1 M Sport is worth buying if you’re in the market for an athletic SUV with luxury comfort without breaking the bank or sacrificing passenger space. The M Sport package only adds $2,300 to the price for performance and styling upgrades. 

But first here are a few potential drawbacks: 

• At 5’1” I’m too short for the bucket seats. My head lands where the loops for harness straps sit in the seat. But this is a personal issue. 
• Some of the plastic trim pieces seemed a bit cheap for the class, but attention to detail, accent stitching, and amazing ambient interior lighting make up for the difference. 
• The tech requires a little learning and can be confusing. I recommend taking the time to learn how to quickly adjust its settings before hitting the road. 

I’ve been in a few different BMW SUVs lately, and the BMW X! M Sport stands out in the lineup for being one of the more comfortable options with a better performance. 

The M Sport package builds upon the X1 with paddle shifters, the sport seats that aren’t short person friendly, an adaptive M suspension, an M steering wheel, unique interior and exterior badging, SensaTec dash trim, an Anthracite headliner, unique wheels, aerodynamic bumpers, and Shadowline exterior trim. 

The standard 2,0-liter four-cylinder engine with 241 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The available M35i xDrive trim increases the power to 312 hp. It reaches 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds. 

So, you don’t need the M35i to have a good time, but it is more athletic. But the X1 delivers an instant acceleration with smooth transmission shifts and direct steering. 

It’s well-balanced around hairpin turns and the brakes are confident. The tires provide plenty of grip and the adaptive suspension soaks up bumps and larger impacts for a smooth ride. 

The automatic engine start and stop system seems to have odd timing, but there’s no delay when red lights turn green. 

Switching between driving modes provides a noticeable difference for when you want a mellow cruise around time and when it’s time to punch up the fun. 

While this BMW is an athletic beast, it can also provide a low-effort and convenient ride. The 19.2” turning radius is excellent for maneuvering through tight city areas.

While I’m too short for the Sport seats, they’re still well-padded and supportive for hours of comfort. Plus, the backseat has more space than expected. This ride can comfortably carry four adults. 

While the tech isn’t the most intuitive, the system works quickly. The 10.7-inch touchscreen has beautiful, modern graphics and the 360-degree camera display has an excellent resolution. 

The digital gauge cluster is easy to customize and the head-up display provides helpful information such as the speed limit and navigation directions. Overall, it could benefit from more physical buttons. 

However, the system doesn’t rely on as many touchscreen menus as the XM and X2 do. Also, driving modes provide plenty of diverse personality by adjusting the suspension, response times, driving gauages, and ambient interior lighting. 

The 2024 BMW X1 M Sport does have trim pieces that are glossy plastics, but this is the most affordable option in the lineup. 

Don’t get hung up on the plastic because the textured metal speaker grills, open-wood pore trim, massive panoramic sunroof, leather-wrapped surfaces, accent stitching, suede inserts, M Sport badging, puddle lamps, and floating center console are modern and luxurious. 

It doesn’t offer ventilated seats, but the air conditioning system is strong, quiet, and effective. It will keep you and your passengers cool on sweltering summer days. Plus, passengers benefit from rear air vents. 

Storage for smaller items is a bit tight, but there are trays and cubbies to take advantage of. The cargo hold provides 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and there’s up to 57.2 cubes total. 

The pint-sized 2024 BMW X1 M sport stands out as a well-rounded, affordable luxury option that doesn’t sacrifice comfort or performance. It’s currently my favorite SUV in the model lineup.