BMW X1 Review: A more practical 1 Series - Full Review

BMW X1 Review: A more practical 1 Series

Overview

BMW don’t lack for models, they’ve pretty much got the entire spectrum covered and then some. This means they don’t need to enter the premium compact crossover SUV market, but they have with the BMW X1, and I think for good reason.

Performance

The BMW X1 xDrive 20i that we tested might not be the most exciting car we’ve tested, but it does the job well enough. Producing 135kW from a 2.0-litre 4 cylinder the BMW X1 doesn’t feel sluggish, but it’s not setting any performance records for SUV’s either. BMW leave that to the X6 department.

Assisted by an automatic transmission the overall performance impression of the X1 is good, acceleration is smooth and the drive solid.

Economy

Claimed economy is 7.1 litres per 100km, however, we didn’t manage to achieve this. We managed to get closer to 10 litres per 100, which is quite far from BMW’s suggestion. At just over 1500kgs there is a fair bit of engine needed to get the X1 up and over a hill, this of course digs into your fuel economy and destroys any hopes of achieving the 7.1 claimed figure.

On less mountainous terrain and on the open road we did manage to sneak a glimpse at the 8.0 litres per 100km mark, but that’s about as good as it got.

Tech

BMW, ever notorious for their use of technology haven’t left the X1 by the wayside. On the inside you’ll find everything you’ll need for the modern luxury SUV. On the dash you have the LCD screen for the iDrive system, leather seats, fully electronic dash and even a head up display (although that’s a pricey optional extra).

Some worthwhile optional extra’s include lane change technology, and collision avoidance technology, which are both designed to save your life using early warning systems in the event that things don’t go as planned.

Comfort

The X1 wasn’t designed to be a sporty SUV, more as a small family SUV, and as such comes with a range of comfort features.

The height of the X1 is surprisingly good. Unlike some SUV’s where you feel like you have to step up, the X1 is the perfect slide in height, not too low like a sedan either. This make sense as a family SUV, parentals get in and out easily, while the kids don’t need a step ladder in the back to get to their seats.

Practicality

The driving position is elevated, so even the passengers in the back get a slightly better view than they would in a 3 series sedan. The boot space in the back is also significantly better than a sedan, and you have the option of folding the seats down to give you extra loading space should you need to get the kids bikes in the back.

Conclusion

As an entry level family sedan, the X1 positions itself quite well as an appealing luxury family car. You can get an X1 for less than R500k at R430k and even add some optional extras with the change.

For small up market families the X1 is a serious consideration when looking to buy a family car. It offers spaciousness, a good drive, reasonable fuel economy and loads of practicality that you could never get from a regular BMW 1 Series.