BMW X1 vs Cadillac Optiq

What's the difference?

VS
BMW X1
BMW X1

$41,800 - $77,990

2023 price

Cadillac Optiq
Cadillac Optiq

$80,000 - $80,000

2026 price

Summary

2023 BMW X1
2026 Cadillac Optiq
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency
7.2L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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Dislikes
  • Pricey
  • Servicing on the expensive side
  • Small fuel tank

  • Ride can feel brittle on harsh road surfaces
  • Slow DC charge rate
  • Five-year warranty feels underdone these days
2023 BMW X1 Summary

BMW’s X1 has changed. In a good way. Especially if you’re thinking about buying one as a family car.

Yep, last year the third-generation X1 arrived and after 13 years and three different attempts on a design, BMW has nailed it. And by ‘it’ I mean built a super practical and spacious small SUV that’s great to drive. 

See, as a dad of two kids, when it comes to cars and my family ‘it’ means something totally different to what ‘it’ meant 10 years ago.

And that’s what this review is about: does the BMW X1, and specifically this xDrive20i M Sport variant we’ve tested here, make a good family car?

If you're thinking of buying it for your family then you need to read this and also consider the likes of Audi’s Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLB.

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2026 Cadillac Optiq Summary

The lonely Cadillac Lyriq finally has some company, with the iconic US brand tripling its range down under with the launch of the much bigger Vistiq (which we've already tested) and this entry-level Optiq, which Cadillac describes as the gateway to its electric family.

It's a medium all-electric SUV with plenty of equipment and – depending on whether you see it as an established premium player or another newcomer brand – pretty sharp pricing.

Cadillac says it has the German big three in its sights with the Optiq, so how does it stack up?

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Deep dive comparison

2023 BMW X1 2026 Cadillac Optiq

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