There was a meme back before Fiat-Chrysler became Stellantis, that Dodge/Jeep/Ram was on a mission to “Hellcat all the things.” The Charger, Challenger, Grand Cherokee, Ram, and Durango, all received the same fire-breathing supercharged V8. It was a running joke that eventually it would extend to mundane vehicles, like the Pacifica. Today, while we’re mourning the loss of the Hellcat and its path to power “all the things,” BMW has been quietly continuing Mopar’s maligned mission by M-ifiying all the things. This extends all the way down to their most basic subcompact crossover, the 2024 BMW X1 M35i.
This new M35i model adds the hallmarks you’d expect from an M-badged Bimmer to the entry-level X1. Visual changes include more aggressive front and rear fascias, a lower ride height, and larger wheels. It sure looks the part, with a planted, almost hot hatch-ish stance. This tester is also fitted optional two-tone dubs and the M-Sport Pro package, which includes blacked-out exterior accents, bright red brake calipers, and some sweet seats to complete the look.
Seriously, those seats. They’re a fixed-back chair with large shoulder bolsters, a pass-through meant to evoke racing harnesses, and of course, BMW M logos. They might seem like a little much in an X1, but the visual flare and cool factor they add is undeniable. They’re also superb at blending long-haul comfort and good support in hard cornering. It’s too bad you can’t get them in all the interior colours BMW offers, like Mocha or Oyster.
You’ll need those seats, because the tweaks to this X1 turn this upscale-ish crossover into a well-dressed hot hatch. The M-tuned adaptive suspension, tweaked steering, and mechanical limited-slip diff—read: the proper kind—imbues the M35i with a surprising amount of lateral grip and corner-carving talent, even with all-season Continental running shoes. The X1 is built on a very un-BMW front-drive architecture, but it doesn’t feel like it thanks to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive. It effectively meters power to where it’s most needed, and the M35i gets an electro-hydraulic clutch out back. With the aforementioned limited-slip diff up front, only the faintest tug of torque steer when you’re really sending it reveals its front-drive, Mini-derived DNA.
The X1 M35i does feel meaningfully different from a Mini. It has the same eager-beaver steering as every other quick BMW; sharp and precise, conveying urgency with its quick ratios and penchant to rapidly snap itself back to centre. It even has half-decent feedback, and good weight in the X1’s Dynamic Plus drive mode. Much like how it torque-steers when you push it hard, the X1 M35i understeers when you push it hard—but again, you have to push really hard. Otherwise, it’s grippy and feels fairly neutral through fast corners.
The X1 M35i is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that’s familiar to most other base-model Bimmers, but this version of the B48 has been reworked extensively. Added cooling capacity, a stronger crankshaft and pistons, spinning in larger main bearings all support a bigger turbocharger. It pushes this engine to 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, working with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
It may be the baby M, but it’s as fast or faster than the legends that preceded it. BMW officially quotes a zero-to-100 km/h run in 5.2 seconds, but it definitely felt faster than that. The Getrag-sourced transmission is impressive in that it possesses almost none of the occasional awkwardness in other dual-clutch automatics. It imperceptibly apes the behavior of a traditional automatic in most conditions; shifts are snappy, and for better or worse, are accompanied by the same burbling acoustics of its bigger brethren. The exhaust note is brawny and bassy; perhaps a touch on the synthetic side, but it suits the application and hits the notes you’d expect in an M car.
There are some compromises on the path to M-ifying the X1. It rides considerably stiffer than the base X1; it’s not unbecoming, but it’s noticeable and the skinnier sidewalls don’t help. It’s also louder, even with the engine in its mildest setting, and the upsized wheels bring in more road noise. This is all deliberate and fitting for its sporting-first mission, but it’s not for everyone. The X1 M35i is still very much a comfortable and practical commuter, but just beware of that extra edginess.
It’s also a little silly that, for almost $60,000 to start, BMW locks basics like auto-dimming mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and wireless charging for your phone behind the $3,000 Premium Essential package. Believe it or not, there’s a step above that; our tester featured the $5,400 Premium Enhanced package, which tosses goodies like a heads-up display, a 360-degree camera, and a few more techy bits into the mix. With the Advanced Driver Assistant and the aforementioned M-Sport Pro packages thrown into the mix, as well as a few extra bills for nice paint and the bigger wheels, you’re looking at about $68,000 as-tested, but before fees, taxes, and all that other fun stuff.
Just like I wasn’t sure who needs a Hellcat-powered Jeep, I’m not sure who needs an M-badged commuter crossover, but BMW already built it. If you think that person might be you, the 2024 BMW X1 M35i nails its bizarre assignment. Purists—or curmudgeons, like myself in a past life—bellyache about cars like the X1 watering down the M badge. But in an unexpected way, I’ve come to admire BMW M-ifying “all the things.” Mopar didn’t need to Hellcat all the things, either, but we’re all glad they did. I don’t see why that can’t translate here.
