BMW’s new X1

NEED TO KNOW

Reflecting buyers’ yearnings for diesel, BMW offers only one petrol engine – a 189bhp 2.0-litre

Essentials

BMW X1 xDrive20d Sport

Price: £33,680 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel Power/torque: 188bhp/400Nm Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 7.6 seconds

Top speed: 136mph

Economy: 57.6mpg CO2: 127g/km

ON SALE Now

BMWX1 20d Sport

Running costs

57.6mpg (official) £67 fill-up

FIRST UK DRIVE New small SUV is more stylish and far better to drive

James Batchelor

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor

DESPITE being branded as having challenging styling, the original BMW X1 built up a loyal following, not least in the UK. Of the 730,000 sold worldwide over its six-year life-span, nearly 40,000 found homes here, so you’d expect the brand not to change the recipe too much.

Well, you’d be wrong, as the new secondgeneration X1 has started with a clean sheet of paper. The styling is now more in step with BMW’s other SUVs, and ditches the pumped-up estate car looks of the old version. It’s taller and features a longer wheelbase (but it is in fact slightly shorter than the original), which allows the new car to be much more spacious inside than its predecessor, and from many angles the X1 now looks like a mini-X5.

Moreover, out goes the old car’s 3 Series Touring rear-wheel-drive platform and in comes BMW’s new front-wheel-drive layout, shared with the 2 Series Active Tourer MPV and even the MINI hatch, although it’s only the entry-level sDrive that is powered by the front wheels – xDrive models use BMW’s four-wheel-drive system.

Our 20d Sport test car has four-wheel drive and, at £33,680, sits in the middle of the range. It’s expected to be the biggest seller and is powered by the 2.0-litre diesel that appears in so many other BMWs – and for good reason, as this is a strong engine. It musters 188bhp and a healthy 400Nm of torque, allowing the X1 to get from 0-62mph in a scant 7.6 seconds. BMW’s smooth eight-speed auto comes as standard, too (a six-speed manual will be available from November). BMW claims fuel consumption of 57.6mpg and 127g/km CO2 emissions –although we only managed around 43mpg. On the move, there’s loads of punch at low revs, with only the diesel’s clattery tone being audible at high revs.

It’s good fun to drive, too, thanks to well weighted and accurate steering, and body roll is kept well in check, even through tight, twisting lanes. The pay-off is a slightly sharp ride over potholes and when driving around town. Inside, it’s typically BMW, with quality materials, but the cabin lacks any real design flair. The space on offer is the real boon here, however. There are 505 litres available in the boot – a considerable 85 litres more than chief rival, the Audi Q3. This expands to 1,550 litres when the rear seats are folded flat – a useful 225 litres more than the Audi can manage.

High-quality cabin lacks flair, but boot is practical shape and bigger than rival Audi Q3’s

PRACTICALITY Longer wheelbase and taller body than predecessor help provide plenty of space in the back, with good levels of head and kneeroom

EQUIPMENT Options can be pricey – our test car had £10k worth of extra equipment, including upgraded sat-nav and clever forward collision warning

Verdict

SOME may question why the X1 costs more than compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, but you could argue the BMW has a more premium image. It easily beats the more crossover-led Mercedes GLA for space and also highlights the age of the Audi Q3. This mid-spec Sport with BMW’s 188bhp 2.0-litre diesel is a tempting choice, too, offering decent running costs that won’t break the bank. Just steer clear of the pricey options list. ★★★★★