BMW's X1: A Luxury SUV with Some Compromises

BMW got a head start in the subcompact luxury SUV market with their original X1, so while Audi and Mercedes-Benz are selling first-generation offerings here, BMW is already out with the second generation of their X1. Just by looking at it, you wouldn't think there's anything new here, as it looks a lot like a shrunken X3 or X5 previous BMWs sold here have been based on premium rear-wheel drive platforms that has helped BMW build their ultimate driving machine reputation. However, the X1 is built off of a front-wheel drive-based platform shared with BMW's less expensive brand, Mini.

So why does the X1's design story matter? Well, for the company, it helps with economies of scale, maximizing profits. For many brand-conscious consumers, they probably won't really notice the difference after all; it looks like a BMW even on the inside. The cabin is one of the plushest in the segment, with lots of soft-touch materials and stitching details. We're happy to have a normal shift lever rather than the confusing electronic wand found in most BMWs. Rear seat room is good, especially in the subcompact class, helped by upright seats and like most BMWs, visibility is pretty good with thin roof pillars and large windows.

However, dig a little deeper, and you find that the BMW's luxury routes don't run all that deep. There's just one engine choice, a 2L 228 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic. Many modern engines with direct fuel injection sound a bit rattly, but the engine here is particularly hollow-sounding, lacking satisfying isolation from road noise and bumps. Road bumps fall short of luxury standards too; nor does the X1 have the lively handling that we expect from a BMW. There are some mass-market SUVs, like the Ford Escape, that drive better. We're also bothered by BMW being kind of stingy when it comes to standard safety gear.

The competing Mercedes-Benz GLA has standard Ford Collision warning with autoing, which is an expensive option from BMW. BMW even makes a simple rear camera an option, but you can't get blind spot monitoring at all. Let's face it; our expectations are pretty high here partly because this is a BMW and partly because of the high price. All X1s are all-wheel drive, most competitors offer cheaper, more fuel-efficient front-wheel drive versions but not BMW. This particular X1 has a decent set of options, including real leather, a moon roof, navigation, and a heads-up display.

The sticker price is $44,500. While the X1 may not be the most impressive or innovative luxury SUV on the market, it does offer a comfortable ride and a stylish interior. However, for BMW fans who are used to their cars delivering exceptional performance and handling, the X1 might come as a disappointment. Nevertheless, the X1 remains a solid choice in the subcompact luxury SUV segment, offering a unique blend of style, comfort, and features at a relatively affordable price point.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enBMW got a head start in the subcompact luxury SUV Market with their original X1 so while Audi and Mercedes-Benz are selling first generation offerings here BMW is already out with the second generation of their X1 just by looking at it you wouldn't think there's anything new here after all it looks a lot like a shrunken X3 or X5 previous BMWs sold here have been based on premium rear wheeel drive platforms that's helped BMW build their ultimate driving machine reputation but the X1 is built off of a front-wheel drive based platform shared with BMW's less expensive brand mini so why does the x1's Design Story matter well for the company it helps with economies of scale maximizing profits and for many brand conscious consumers they probably won't really notice the difference after all it looks like a BMW even on the inside the cabin is one of the plushest in the segment with lots of soft touch materials and stitching details we're happy to have a normal shift lever rather than the confusing electronic wand found in most BMWs rear seat room is good especially in the subc compact class helped by upright seats and like most BMWs visibility is pretty good with thin roof pillars and large windows but dig a little deeper and you find that the BMW's luxury routes don't run all that deep there's just one engine choice a 2 L 228 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder with an 8-speed automatic now many modern engines with direct fuel injection sound a bit rattly but the engine here is particularly Hollow sounding it's just unsatisfying isolation from road noise and Road bumps fall short of luxury standards too nor does the X1 have the Lively handling that we expect from a BMW there are some Mass Market SUVs like the Ford Escape that drive better we're also bothered by by BMW being kind of Stingy when it comes to standard safety gear the competing Mercedes-Benz GLA has standard Ford Collision warning with autoing that's an expensive option from BMW BMW even makes a simple rear camera an option and you can't get blind spot monitoring at all let's face it our expectations are pretty high here partly because this is a BMW and partly because of the high price all x1's are all-wheel drive most competitors offer cheaper more fuel efficient front-wheel drive versions but not BMW this particular X1 has a decent set of options including real leather a moon roof navigation and a heads up display the sticker pric is $44,500BMW got a head start in the subcompact luxury SUV Market with their original X1 so while Audi and Mercedes-Benz are selling first generation offerings here BMW is already out with the second generation of their X1 just by looking at it you wouldn't think there's anything new here after all it looks a lot like a shrunken X3 or X5 previous BMWs sold here have been based on premium rear wheeel drive platforms that's helped BMW build their ultimate driving machine reputation but the X1 is built off of a front-wheel drive based platform shared with BMW's less expensive brand mini so why does the x1's Design Story matter well for the company it helps with economies of scale maximizing profits and for many brand conscious consumers they probably won't really notice the difference after all it looks like a BMW even on the inside the cabin is one of the plushest in the segment with lots of soft touch materials and stitching details we're happy to have a normal shift lever rather than the confusing electronic wand found in most BMWs rear seat room is good especially in the subc compact class helped by upright seats and like most BMWs visibility is pretty good with thin roof pillars and large windows but dig a little deeper and you find that the BMW's luxury routes don't run all that deep there's just one engine choice a 2 L 228 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder with an 8-speed automatic now many modern engines with direct fuel injection sound a bit rattly but the engine here is particularly Hollow sounding it's just unsatisfying isolation from road noise and Road bumps fall short of luxury standards too nor does the X1 have the Lively handling that we expect from a BMW there are some Mass Market SUVs like the Ford Escape that drive better we're also bothered by by BMW being kind of Stingy when it comes to standard safety gear the competing Mercedes-Benz GLA has standard Ford Collision warning with autoing that's an expensive option from BMW BMW even makes a simple rear camera an option and you can't get blind spot monitoring at all let's face it our expectations are pretty high here partly because this is a BMW and partly because of the high price all x1's are all-wheel drive most competitors offer cheaper more fuel efficient front-wheel drive versions but not BMW this particular X1 has a decent set of options including real leather a moon roof navigation and a heads up display the sticker pric is $44,500\n"