BMW X1 vs BMW X5

BMW X1

BMW’s first front-wheel-drive-based compact SUV.

VS

BMW X5

The fourth-generation X5.

First car

Second car

Performance

B48 20i · Petrol vs B58 40i · Petrol

	BMW X1	BMW X5
Power	192 hp	340 hp Winner
Torque	280 Nm	450 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,7 s	5,5 s Winner
Top speed	226 km/h	243 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	127,6 hp/t	159,3 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	134 g/km Winner	198 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km Winner	8,6 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	BMW X1	BMW X5
Boot	505 L	650 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L	1.870 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,67 m	2,98 m Winner
Length	4,44 m	4,92 m
Width	1,82 m	2,00 m
Height	1,60 m	1,75 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	BMW X1	BMW X5
Platform	UKL2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the Mini Countryman)	CLAR (longitudinal engine, rear-wheel-drive base)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	B38/B48 petrol · B47 diesel	B58 petrol · B57 diesel · PHEV
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	8-speed automatic · 6-speed manual	8-speed Steptronic automatic
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW X1

EGR clogging on diesels
Engine mounts can wear early
Cooling system needs checking
Early timing-chain tensioners (B48/B47)

BMW X5

Transfer case (xDrive) needs maintenance
Air suspension (if fitted)
Cooling system needs checking
EGR on diesels

Pros

BMW X1

Sharp BMW handling
Proven B-series engines
Optional xDrive all-wheel drive

BMW X5

Luxurious, premium interior
Strong B57/B58 engines
Light, stiff CLAR body

Cons

BMW X1

Less roomy than the Q3/Tiguan
Front-wheel-drive base (the E84 was rear-wheel drive)

BMW X5

High running costs
Air suspension & xDrive upkeep

Compare specific generations

E84 · 2009 – 2015 vs G05 · 2018 – 2023 Compare F48 · 2015 – 2022 vs G05 · 2018 – 2023 Compare

Verdict

Pick this one if…

BMW X1

Pick the X1 for sharp BMW handling with a raised driving position and proven engines.

Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (diesel) — powerful and refined.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW X5

Pick the X5 for a luxurious cabin, strong engines and generous space in a large premium SUV.

Best engine: The xDrive30d (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

For sale at dealers

BMW X1

70 for sale · from € 6.990

BMW X1

BMW X1 xDrive25e · plug-in hybrid · Camera · LED · Head-up dis…

01/2022 103.539 km Plug-in hybrid 92 kW (125 hp) Euro 6d

Cornette Automotive BV

BMW X1

BMW X1 sDrive18d · Camera · CarPlay · LED

01/2024 45.651 km Diesel 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X1

BMW X1 Panoramic roof · Camera · Navigation

07/2020 60.000 km Petrol 103 kW (140 hp) Euro 6d

BMW X1

BMW X1 Camera · CarPlay · Navigation

06/2025 53.000 km Petrol 100 kW (136 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X5

37 for sale · from € 14.990

BMW X5

BMW X5 plug-in hybrid · 360° camera · CarPlay · LED

11/2023 50.510 km Plug-in hybrid 285 kW (387 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X5

BMW X5 xDrive50e · plug-in hybrid · Panoramic roof · 360° came…

11/2025 23.641 km Plug-in hybrid 360 kW (489 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X5

BMW X5 xDrive30d · M-Sport · Panoramic roof · Camera · CarPlay

09/2025 50.000 km Diesel 210 kW (286 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X5

BMW X5 electric · Camera · CarPlay · LED

01/2022 83.369 km Electric 290 kW (394 hp) Euro 6d