Is X1 still one of a kind?

BMW is not only good at creating and filling new vehicle niches, but successfully anticipates new vehicle buying trends.  Take the original BMW X5 – the company had the vision that buyers like the SUV capability and size, but wants to have it more car-drive-like.

The BMW X6 was and still is the first coupé-look SUV – already entering its 2nd generation, while other car companies still have nothing similar.  Same with X3 – people started moving away from station wagons and into SUVs, so the BMW X3 as baby brother to X5 was the first premium compact SUV.  Same again with X1 – people actually wanted something in-between a station wagon and SUV.  It would also be attractive if it could be a premium-badged product.  Which gave birth to BMW’s X1 compact premium cross-over, launched here in April 2010.

To understand the BMW X1, think of it as a replacement (locally, at least) of the traditional station wagon, with a higher stance, and the same agility and versatility… without the extra weight and size of compact SUVs.  In fact, BMW SA stopped selling the previous 3 Series Touring and will not be importing the current station wagon as the company says there is no market for it.  In concept and execution the BMW X1 is brilliant, fitting its body perfectly into the gap between these more traditional segments, and taking over successfully from the Touring models.

The surprise when driving the X1 is that its relative light weight and compact size makes it nimble in traffic, and very easy to pilot – pull up at a red traffic light and you’ll notice the seating position is actually not as perched up as even compact SUVs, but just above normal cars, yet still giving an elevated view to avoid those pesky potholes and road obstacles.

The X1 is available in sDrive rear-wheel-drive or xDrive for all-wheel-drive.  The engine range of the X1 starts with the sDrive18i (which is incidentally the only remaining BMW engine without turbo power technology) at current market price of R390000 before emissions tax for the 6-speed manual, or R16600 extra for the 6-speed Steptronic automatic.  Other engines are the 20i turbo petrol and 20d, available in both sDrive and xDrive, in manual or 8-speed auto – these range in market price from R416500 for the sDrive20i manual to R505000 for the xDrive20d auto.  The first xDrive23d models were, at facelift, upgraded to 25d, but this model has been dropped from the line-up, leaving the xDrive28i with its 180kW 2.0 turbo of 350Nm and automatic-only to fill the top spot in the range, costing R541500.  The 20d as tested pulls strongly and in X1 is extremely economical, though if you want a smoother quiet engine (the diesel is really noisy) then choose the 20i as pick of the bunch.  The 6-cylinder X1 35i model – a real high-performance cross-over – is, sadly, for the US market only.

Option packs on each derivative in the BMW X1 range are xLine, Sport and M Sport.  xLine costs R18500 on sDrive models and R14700 on xDrive models, bringing matt silver trim elements to the bumpers, kidney grille, front horizontal bars and roof rails, an xLine door badge, and different cloth, or leather with contrast piping, plus dark copper interior trim finishers and different wheels, as pictured.  Sport is a new trim line to X1, costing around R24k, comprising sporty wheels and trim elements, while the full M Sport is priced just under R40k which contains the M aerodynamics package (bumpers and side skirts), a choice of 18 or 19-inch M alloy wheels, and plenty of M Sport trim and badges.  Choose wisely from a selection of ex-factory options – recommended items are the R6600 upgrade from manual to automatic air conditioning and R3650 for cruise control, while rear park distance control at R4400 is worth it (these options are on sDrive models, which are standard on all xDrive).

To also feed the market’s appetite for compact premium cross-overs, the BMW X1 faces the Audi Q3 (more a shrunk SUV) and Mercedes-Benz GLA (more a raised hatch) and the Volvo V40 Cross Country (more of a raised estate)… so has BMW done it again – is the X1 one-of-a-kind?

If you want the extra traction and more generous equipment, go for an xDrive, which makes the ideal drive in your daily routine, and a suitable friendly companion on a break-away drive to places like the dam or farm.