The old X1 loved sticking its tongue out at us. The “us” in question is the motoring press and the X1 had good reason for this cheery act of defiance. We didn’t like it much, subtracting points in the looks, lack-of-interior-space and ride departments. BMW customers, on the other hand, disagreed and the X1 was consistently among BMW’s top-three global sellers. With over 730 000 sold worldwide, there was some merit in its defiance.
Our first impressions of the new X1 from the international launch (September 2015) were positive ones. And on the whole, those have now been confirmed after the rest of the CAR team had a bite of the cherry. For starters, it’s a better-looking car in every aspect. Where the previous X1 seemed more like an adopted sibling than a true part of the bloodline, our Mineral White test unit is a successful blend of both 1 Series styling – echoed in the aggressive, angular headlamps and rear-light clusters – and the rest of the X range’s C-pillar and lower-grille executions.
This X1 is also bigger. Based on the 2 Series Active Tourer, its wheelbase is 90 mm longer than that of the previous generation and it’s 53 mm taller. With shrunken front and rear overhangs, the new X1 is 15 mm shorter than its predecessor, but it boasts much improved interior space. Fitted to this test vehicle were optional fore-aft adjustable rear pews split 60:40 that add further versatility to the boot space; our measurements ranged between 216 and 296 dm3.
Releasing the rear backrests with a convenient catch in the boot sees them fold down to free up a sizeable 1 128 dm3 worth of utility space. With those adjustable rear seats, rear legroom varies from 600 to 730 mm.
Impressive, too, is the interior styling, specification and detailing. BMW has added some flair to its usual sober dashboard executions, gracing the X1 with a more sophisticated blend of straight lines and gentle curves. It’s an interior that boasts a high level of perceived quality that looks particularly good in the mocha-coloured Dakota perforated leather trim contrasted with brushed aluminium dash and centre-console detailing. The lower section of the centre console is marked off from the front-passenger side by a newly designed bar. Further emphasising the driver-oriented cockpit design is an instrument cluster with two circular clocks that are framed by a small binnacle.
Along with the aforementioned leather trim, further standard features on the BMW X1 xDrive25i Steptronic include a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and climate control with separate temperature settings for the driver and front passenger.
From a safety point of view, front and side airbags are standard for the driver and passenger, as are curtain airbags front and rear. There are also Isofix child-seat attachments for the two outer rear seats. Unfortunately (and somewhat oddly), the interior is let down by the design of the front seats. They feel both narrow– particularly the front squabs that are also too short – and offer little lateral support. BMW offers sports seats as an option, and those might solve the problem (but cost R6 300).
Another improvement over the previous car is the ride quality. When we first tested an X1 in June 2010, we praised its dynamic handling prowess but found the ride overly firm. We also criticised the heavy steering action and BMW’s engineers have very obviously corrected both those flaws. The MacPherson front and multilink rear suspension setup maintains BMW’s trademark dynamic handling characteristics, but it now offers a more composed ride than its predecessor. That’s not to say the ride is perfect, however; the vehicle struggles to cope with short, sharp intrusions, which thud through to the cabin. In the X1’s defence, this likely has more to do with the optional 19-inch rims and 225/45/R19 tyres fitted to this test vehicle. They’re a R23 000 option you should tick only if looks trump ride quality in your book.
The electric power steering makes for a more comfortable driving experience. There’s very little road feedback, but the Servotronic speed-sensitive steering assistance does make the X1 easy to operate at low speeds, yet still has sufficient weight during highway driving. It’s there where you can fully enjoy the xDrive25i’s 170 kW 2,0-litre turbopetrol engine. From a higher (by 36 mm) SUV-like driving position, the instant power and torque (350 N.m from just 1 250 r/min) are immediately noticeable and provide impressive acceleration both from standstill and through the gears. We measured a best time of 7,55 seconds for the benchmark 0-100 km/h sprints, as well as 2,38 seconds for 80-100 km/h and 2,74 seconds to get from 100-120 km/h.
As standard, this model is coupled to BMW’s smooth-shifting eight-speed Steptronic transmission that helps boost fuel economy; it returned a fuel-route figure of 8,7 L/100 km. This generation X1 also features a new xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Claimed to be lighter, more compact and efficient, it uses an electro-hydraulically controlled multiplate clutch to distribute drive between the front and rear axles. In default mode, it operates in a front-wheel-drive configuration, but can send up to 100% of motive force to the rear if traction requires it.
Not that owners are likely to venture too far off-road. For tar and the odd gravel applications, the xDrive system, along with the X1’s low centre of gravity, 54:46 weight distribution and wide track, make for a very predictable and neutral-handling vehicle. A DSC stability system is standard and includes features such as ABS, dynamic traction control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control and a brake-assist system. With an average time of 3,0 seconds for 100-0 km/h, braking performance registered a “good” rating on our scale.
The xDrive25i also comes standard with BMW’s Driving Experience Control accessed via a centre console-mounted switch that tweaks steering, throttle and the transmission in three modes: comfort, sport and eco pro. However, with the four-cylinder TwinPower turbopetrol’s abilities, we found ourselves spending most of the time in comfort without the need for the added athleticism sport might provide.