► Reincarnated X1 driven
► Looks improved, is miles better
► Could become best-selling BM SUV
BMW’s Damascan revelation that not all of its cars absolutely have to drive their rear wheels might have caused a few die-hard fans to spit out their M Sport-branded dummies, but there’s only so much arguing you can do against common sense. And the reincarnated, and now really rather well-rounded, X1 only goes to vindicate its change of faith.
First time around, BMW’s littlest SUV was a bit of a mongrel. It forced an ill-fitting off-roader bodystyle onto a platform borrowed from the previous-generation 3-series Touring, with compromised packaging and misshapen proportions the result. This time it’s based not on a rehashed rear-drive estate car but the transverse-engined, front-drive platform that underpins the Active Tourer MPV, and various members of the Mini family.
That gets X1: The Sequel off on a much better footing
Sideways engines mean more interior space, pulling off the magic trick of a slightly shorter overall length yet greater rear legroom and a much bigger boot than its predecessor (by a whole 85 litres, and more still if you hit the electric switches in the boot to flop the rear seats down). It’s transformed the styling from Quasimodo to quarterback, too. This time the design team have been able to sketch the X1 in the mould of a conventional 4×4 from the outset, avoiding the too-far-forward front wheel line that made the original look a bit awkward. Now it’s more scaled-down X5, all square shoulders, big features and confrontational stance. As the roofline’s risen, so has the driver’s seat, to a more conventionally high-set SUV position. All the better to look down your nose from.
Of course, the majority of X1s sold will be four-wheel-drive xDrive models, with a hydraulically controlled clutch marshalling torque between the front and rear axles, and taking the latter out of play to save fuel when it’s not called for. Despite a token petrol option in the line-up diesels will dominate UK sales, with a choice of three 2.0-litre four-pots from BMW’s new modular family. We drove the top-dog 228bhp 25d xDrive, which justifies its considerable price premium with a useful swell of torque to lean on and an eight-speed automatic gearbox to keep it bang in the middle of it. Aside from a faint diesel gargle as the speed builds, at a cruise engine noise is conspicuous only by its near total absence. This is one very well insulated car. A fine handling one, too; it’s stable, predictable and changes direction eagerly, with a surprising degree of mid-corner adjustability. Body control’s impeccable, with less roll than you’d expect, although all cars at the launch were fitted with, and perhaps flattered by, optional electronic dampers.
Despite not being a particularly brilliant car, the original X1 still sold like particularly hot cakes. Now it has a successor that’s actually a very decent one, it seems its path to world domination is assured. Prepare to see plenty of them.
BMW X1 xDrive 25d
Price: £36,060
Engine: 1995cc 16v 4-cyl turbodiesel, 228bhp @ 4400rpm, 332lb ft @ 1500-3000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Performance: 6.6sec 0-62mph, 146mph, 54.3mpg, 137g/km CO2
Weight: 1650kg
On sale: Now
Love: The car it should have been all along
Hate: Because it’s one like everyone else’s
Verdict: Three cheers for second chances
Rating: ****