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The jury is out on whether the previous generation BMW X1 really matched up to the other models in the X range.
But there is no humming and hawing about the latest generation, the all-new BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) easily distinguishable as an X model sibling.
Powerfully sculptured, it’s also taller and sleeker than its predecessor, and has the distinctive six eyes of the X family face.
The compact premium all-roader is an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), but by stamping a somewhat different name to its SUVs, the German luxury car manufacturer appears to be placing more emphasis on an active lifestyle and the sportiness of its SUV range.
“Activity” does after all sound more exciting than “utility” and by intentionally moving away from the utilitarian word to something more dynamic, BMW has presumably looked to inject more than a dollop of thrill and spice into its SUV range.
And the BMW X1 xDrive models do dish up spice, especially when you happen to be barrelling down a twisting gravel road.
The handling of the xDrive20d and xDrive25i models tested, be it on tar or gravel, is impressive and they are not short on performance.
But the compact SAV’s dynamism as an all-roader is amplified when you take this sturdy vehicle off the tar.
Despite corrugated terrain that could have been teeth-jarring, the second generation X1 boasts terrific driving dynamics and comfort, ably assisted by BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and newly developed chassis technology.
Note to self: Comfort mode rather than Sports mode is the smarter off-road choice.
The three-cylinder sDrive18i base model and the two-litre four-cylinder in-line twin power turbo petrol and diesel engines range in output from 100kW to 170kW, linking up with either a six-speed manual (sDrive 18i and sDrive20d or six-speed Steptronic unit in sDrive18i only, both front-wheel-drive models not tested) or an eight-speed Steptronic unit (standard in all AWD xDrive models).
No two cars are the same, and now and then car tests bring with them some unexpected or comic moments – as was the case testing the X1.
The first was courtesy of the reverse workings of the Steptronic’s manual shift function; when assuming I was gearing up, I was actually gearing down.
But like those indicators that are situated on the non-conventional side of the steering wheel, I guess it’s something you easily become accustomed to.
This is an excerpt from an article that originally appeared in the 10 December 2015 edition of finweek. Buy and download the magazine here.
