2016 BMW X1 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2016 BMW X1 is a hatchback powered by a 2L 4-cyl turbo premium gasoline engine. It returns around 30 mpg (UK) / 25 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a BMW X1 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 BMW X1: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 30 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 3L 6-cyl turbo. EPA passenger volume changes from 98 to 101 cu ft.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 101 cu ft (2,860 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 27 cu ft (765 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 30 combined / 26 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 25 combined / 22 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 217 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 6 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2016 BMW X1, all with the 2L 4-cyl turbo engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/31) | 217 | $3,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 101 cubic feet (about 2,860 litres) and luggage volume at 27 cubic feet (about 765 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 BMW X1
Running Costs: 2016 BMW X1
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 BMW X1 at 30 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,212 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 BMW X1 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 BMW X1 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Structure (1), Air bags (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Structure — campaign 19V349000, reported 9 May 2019. Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
- Air bags — campaign 17V062000, reported 26 January 2017. Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Seat belts — campaign 16V747000, reported 17 October 2016. Risk: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
- Steering — campaign 15V887000, reported 30 December 2015. Risk: A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X1. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (64), Power train (34), Visibility/wiper (18). Complaints include 2 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 5 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 44 complaints across the 14 BMW X1 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 BMW X1
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (34 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Body structure (1 recall campaign · 17 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Visibility (18 owner complaints) — Check wipers, washers and demisters work properly.
- Air bags (1 recall campaign) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
BMW models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 BMW X1's 30 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average. Its 217 g/km CO₂ figure is 23 g/km lower than the 240 g/km BMW average.
Of the 14 BMW X1 model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 14th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (30 mpg UK combined, against a high of 34 mpg). See every BMW X1 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 BMW X1
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 BMW X1 have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl turbo premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s8) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 BMW X1?
The most efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, or 25 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2016 BMW X1 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 BMW X1 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 BMW X1 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Structure (1), Air bags (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 BMW X1?
Among the 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (64 complaints), Power train (34 complaints), Visibility/wiper (18 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2016 BMW X1 have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 101 cubic feet (about 2,860 litres) and luggage volume at 27 cubic feet (about 765 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.