Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

42 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

T

he second-generation
BMW X1 shares much of its
core technology, including its
basic structure, with the latest
versions of the Mini (a brand that
is owned by BMW) as well as
BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer.
The range opens with the
sDrive 18i, at $45,900. sDrive18d
is $49,900, sDrive20i is $50,900
and the xDrive25i is $60,900.
Popular sDrive versions are
front-wheel drive instead of rear-
wheel drive. xDrive variants use
an all-wheel drivetrain.
So the latest X1 may be
technically heretical in the eyes
of long-term BMW loyalists,
but it’s likely that compact SUV
buyers will embrace it. The
advantages of the new direction
are plain to see, especially
inside the car.
Penned by young, Sydney-
born designer Calvin Luk,
the second-generation X1 is
better proportioned and with
the space-effi cient crossways
engine/front-wheel-drive layout,
BMW’s smallest SUV now has a

much more comfortable, bright

and spacious interior than the

previous model did.

As in the 2 Series Active Tourer,

the tall body means high seating

and ample headroom in all fi ve

positions. Raising the seats has

also benefi ted legroom.

The standard 40:20:40

split bench in the rear is very

spacious, even for tall adults. At

the same time, the X1’s cargo

bay has a little more than 500

litres behind its second-row

seat, so the new BMW has

much more space than both

its main rivals, the Audi Q3 and

Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Power is provided by BMW’s

new family of modular engines.

The front-drive sDrive18i runs

a 100kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder

turbopetrol. The 18d and 20i have

110kW turbodiesel and 141kW

turbopetrol engines respectively,

while the all-wheel-drive

xDrive 25i gets 170kW 2.0-litre

turbopetrol power.

All engines are teamed

exclusively with an eight-speed

automatic.

At the international launch of

the new X1 in Europe, there was

only one version relevant to the

Australian market, the xDrive 25i,

so that’s what we’ll focus on here.

Although a little grumbly at

low revs, the top-spec 2.0-litre

turbopetrol four is eager to please,

with a pleasantly raspy note when

pushed. At the top end, it doesn’t

quite feel like the full 170kW worth

but it is exceptionally frugal. The

eight-speed auto cooperates well

with the engine, shifting slickly

and at the right time.

The BMW’s handling in all-

wheel-drive models is pleasantly

predictable and the electric-

assist steering guides the X1 with

precision. Drive goes to the front

wheels, with the rears engaged

only when required.

Outright dynamic ability,

especially in tighter corners,

isn’t quite up to the very high

standard of the previous model,

particularly in the front-wheel-

drive versions. The taller body

rolls more, the steering is less

tactile and the front driver isn’t

quite as well balanced either.

The optional Dynamic Damper

Control system fi tted to the test

car was very soft in Comfort mode

— perhaps too soft for comfort

on poor-quality country roads in

Australia. Selecting Sport brought

an improvement in discipline

and tautness while maintaining

excellent ride comfort.

If the lesser models in the new

X1 range are as good as the top-

spec xDrive 25i, this class is now a

very close call indeed. Drive this,

the Jaguar E Pace, Mercedes GLA,

Mini Countryman and Volvo XC40

before making your fi nal decision.

By John Carey

BMW X1 FROM $45,900 S

THINGS WE LIKE

 Nicely proportioned exterior design

 Heaps of interior space

 Good materials, fi t and fi nish quality

 Secure, predictable handling

 Strong performance of 25i

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

 No more rear-wheel-drive option

 Less fun and profi t on a winding

road

 Some work needed on optional

adjustable dampers

 Has lost some steering feel

SPEX (xDrive 25i)

Made in Germany

2.0-litre turbopetrol four-cylinder/

eight-speed automatic/all-wheel

drive

170kW of power at

5000–6000rpm/350Nm of torque

from 1250–4500rpm

0–100km/h in 6.5 seconds (claimed)

Weight 1615kg; max towing weight

2000kg (only 80kg max towball

download, though)

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

5.8L/100km highway; 7.8L/100km

city; 95 octane premium;

CO 2 emissions are 152g/km

Standard: Six airbags, stability

control, dual zone air, automatic

emergency braking, camera, rear

parking sensors, rain sensing

wipers, iDrive with 8.8-inch display,

navigation, Bluetooth and voice

activation, smartphone connectivity,

leather, head-up display, 18-inch

alloy wheels.

Redbook future values: 3yr: 55%;

5yr: 40%

compare with ...

Audi Q3, Jaguar E Pace, Mini

Countryman, Mercedes GLA, Range

Rover Evoque, Volvo XC40

Safety

ANCAP

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS