BMW’s new X1 sDrive18i is bigger and roomier than its predecessor, has more upright frontal styling, a large and bold grille, redesigned interior, and an array of driver and parking assistance systems.
Wider tracks and suspension tuning sharpen its driving dynamics.
Power comes from a 115kW/230Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels.
BMW quotes 0-100km/h in nine seconds.
The gearbox is a seven-speed, doubleclutch Steptronic.
The gear selector is the in-vogue rocker-switch type mounted on the centre console – forward for reverse, back for neutral, Drive.
BMW quotes overall fuel consumption of 6.5 litres/100km.
In a mix of urban traffic and rapid open road driving, we averaged 7.5.
The new X1 is 53mm longer than the old model, 24mm wider, 44mm taller, and rides on a 2692mm wheelbase that is 22mm longer.
Boot space grows to 540 litres with the second row seats upright, and from 1550 litres to 1600 litres with them folded.
Standard equipment includes adaptive LED headlights; dual-zone automatic climate control; automatic tailgate, and Driving Assistant Plus with Active Cruise Control and blindspot monitor.
The active cruise control includes engine stop/go.
There are also Parking Assistant Plus including surround view camera, Reversing Assistant and BMW Drive Recorder; roof rails; steering wheel with multifunction buttons; storage compartment package, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto with wireless charging, and BMW ConnectedDrive.
All are included in the base price of $69,900 plus on-road costs.
Alpine White is the standard colour and buyers can choose among seven metallic hues for an extra $1690.
ON THE ROAD Our test X1 had $14,990 worth of optional equipment fitted lifting the price to $84,890.
The extra kit included metallic paint, panoramic glass sunroof and the high output Harmon/Kardon sound system, an alarm system, sliding rear seats, and electrically-adjustable driver and front passenger seats.
There were also 19-inch M Sport alloy wheels, tinted side glass, heated front seats and BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional.
The seating position is low and the leather-wrapped steering wheel has a particularly chunky rim.
There are steering column-mounted paddles to shift gears manually, but even in rapid driving on winding roads we preferred to leave the transmission in Drive.
BMW has done a good job making the X1’s seats comfortable and supportive.
We felt fresh after a couple of hours on the road , the seats revealing good lumbar and lateral support.
In a way, the seats reflect the essence of the X1 – thoughtful design and quality execution.
Nothing is flashy, this is just a good, solid, eminently capable car.
The suspension is on the firm side but not objectionably so, except over potholed tarmac.
The engine plays a typical threecylinder soundtrack and sounds great as the fast-shifting double-clutch gearbox sprints through the ratios.
If there’s a quibble about the engine, it’s the momentary turbo-lag off the line or when nailing the throttle out of slow-speed corners.
In spite of being front-wheel drive, the X1 retains the sharp and entertaining handling that made traditional rearwheel drive BMWs “the ultimate driving machines”. It’s an extremely-satisfying car to drive and a perfect companion for long open road journeys with great comfort, agile and forgiving handling, excellent mid-range acceleration, and low road noise, and provides a feel-good experience.
For the base price of $69,990 – we’d add metallic paint to bring the sticker to $70,680 – it represents good value.
It’s a car that’s designed for and delivers driving pleasure.
