The new BMW X1 in a first test: a not cheap entry ticket to a desirable model - voila! vehicle

2023-03-16T22:37:25.337Z

With gasoline, plug-in and fully electric powertrains, BMW is storming the luxury small crossover category from all directions. For the Israeli debut test, we took the gasoline version for a spin

BMW X1 (manufacturer)

Price (base/test):

NIS 290/280,000

We liked:

passenger cabin, behavior, equipment, comfort

We didn't like:

engine, performance, fuel consumption

Score:

8.5/10

In the beginning there was the original X1, and the country was not in chaos, but She just didn't know how to eat this strange animal back then - when in 2009 BMW took something that looked a lot like a 3-series station wagon, raised it, equipped it with a bunch of decorations and said "come on, let's see if it catches on".

So it turns out that "catch" was the understatement of the decade.

The X1 has become one of the best-selling models of the German manufacturer, overtaking the cheaper and less profitable 1-series.

The second generation, and the third we drive today, have come a long way since then.

The floor of the Series 3 was replaced by the front floor shared by the Series 1 and Mini Countryman, whose next generation will be built on the same production line.

On the other hand, to say that it slowed down the pace of orders?

Definately not.

Because rear, front, side, top or bottom drive - the customers here are mainly looking for the symbol and the look.

You won't be mistaken in identifying him, absolutely not (Photo: Keinan Cohen)

Design:

And it does have a look.

The X1 is by no means the kind of car you'd confuse with another make or model.

Beautiful or not is a matter of taste, but this huge lung grill and its narrow headlights really push this statement to the limit.

Either way, he achieves the required feat of identifying it as a BMW in a fraction of a second.

Passenger cabin:

the exterior design that corresponds with the other BMW models is also the direction in the passenger cabin.

Here is the latest BMW arrangement that you can find in all the new models from the last two years.

Mainly the layout of the dashboard and the multimedia screen on a common panel, parting with the iDrive dial, the displays are spectacular, the sharpness is excellent and also the response speed of the multimedia screen.

We would gladly give up the visual clutter on the dashboard for a simpler display with the necessary data.

The human engineering is good and simple, you get used to operating the menus and systems quite quickly, and there are only small quirks left, such as the insistence on burying the frost canceling the stop-go system three clicks away, which are two clicks too many to stop this harassment.

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The arrangement of the passenger cabin of the new models, only smaller (Photo: Keinan Cohen)

The quality of the materials is very good, the combination of textures and colors is sophisticated, elegant.

The switch to a gear selector in the form of a switch instead of the traditional handle makes it possible to create a space under the central console that adds to a good amount of storage compartments.

In relation to the entry model, BMW has invested in the front seats, which is an improvement over those of the previous generation which were less impressive in execution.

With an extra 2 cm in the wheelbase and a rear row that moves on a rail (only in the high trim level for some reason), the space in the back is very good for two passengers who also get air conditioning outlets and charging sockets. The third passenger will have less fun with the too high drive channel that runs through the middle.

A rear seat that moves on a rail allows excellent space (Photo: Keinan Cohen)

Trunk: the structure of the trunk is square and very convenient to use, the key is generous and the loading threshold is at a height that does not require excessive lifting.

It maintains a very good volume of 540 liters without giving up a spare wheel under the floor.

There are also storage compartments on the sides, hanging hooks and a 12V socket.

Equipment:

The X1 is marketed in two trim levels, Style, which is the entry-level version, and the well-equipped M Sport that came to the test.

Some of the additions relate to the driving characteristics and we will touch on them later, the others include two-color stitching, keyless entry and drive, wireless charging, LED matrix lighting, the direction of the angle and the distance in the rear seats, and more.

what is missing?

Connectivity to Android devices and electric steering for the passenger seat too, really when you are so close to NIS 300,000 you can expect to find it there.

The safety systems show missing specifications when as standard you will get autonomous emergency braking, lane departure correction and adaptive cruise control, peripheral cameras and sensors and an assistance system that drives the vehicle independently back the last 50 meters.

However, vehicle warning in a "dead zone", cross traffic when driving backwards and rear impact warning - all for an additional fee.

Traffic sign recognition is not offered as an option either.

Large, easy to use and even with a spare wheel (Photo: Keinan Cohen)

Performance:

As mentioned, the X1 was presented in the current generation with an internal combustion engine, a plug-in and an electric version.

Here is the one with the gasoline engine.

It is the same 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that can be found in the small BMW and Mini models.

The supply is modest, very modest, modest at the level of a skirt below the knee with black tights and sleeves past the elbow, a wig with a handkerchief on it and a scarf on it.

In numbers - 136 hp and 23.5 kg, the result is also a rather lukewarm performance of 9.2 seconds to 100 km/h, not the stuff of which a sporty image of the company whose name in free translation into Hebrew is "Bavarian Motor Company" is made.

Box The transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch that performs excellently both in slow city driving and in fast driving. Its operation is from the steering wheel - only in the high finish level. In normal driving conditions and on a level, you won't really feel a lack of power, but if you hit hills or want to take quick detours - you will have to give up. Fuel

consumption :

The small and weak engine means that in order to keep pace it is straining and when a turbo engine is straining it gets thirsty.

With a combined consumption of 10.8 km per liter in test conditions it presents a figure that is not alarming even for a small crossover in 2023.

Sane 18-inch rims and 55-section tires help with driving comfort (Photo: Keinan Cohen)

Comfort and behavior:

unlike some of its competitors, and the general fashion, the X1 calms down with the story of huge rims and a low cut in favor of (relatively) relaxed dimensions of an 18-inch rim with 55-section tires. Together with the adaptive dampers (only on the M Sport trim level) are Allows the car to offer good driving comfort both on the urban route and outside the city.

The road behavior that has always been the X1's strong card since it was introduced experienced a slight retreat in the previous generation, but the current one brings it back.

It shows surprising and exciting ability when entering turns, excellent body control, precise and fast steering, even with not bad feedback.

And in fact these abilities and his excellence here only make it clear how much he deserves a better prevention.

As with several members of BMW's front-wheel-drive platform family, its brakes are less successful than we'd expect from BMW in terms of feel and precision.

Also on the back the identification is a BMW immediately (photo: Keinan Cohen)

The bottom line

The third generation of the BMW X1 is a significant, necessary and noticeable progress from the previous generation.

The credit points it accumulates come from its excellent passenger cabin, the quality of the materials, the space, the comfort, the noise isolation and the road behavior.

In all of these it also presents better assemblies than its competitors.

The main point where it is far from impressive is its engine - 1.5 liter three cylinders with 136 hp which not only do not match the manufacturer's reputation, but also make it difficult for it to produce a pace that corresponds with the chassis' capabilities and behavior. As a derivative of it is also the high fuel consumption

. With a hefty price tag - NIS 290,000 (NIS 280,000 in the base version), it is indeed placed at the top of its category, and it is only cheaper than the Mercedes GLA, which starts at NIS 309,000, and is in a completely different area. But in BMW terms, for whom? Who wants to enter the world of crossovers is the cheapest entry ticket and a very successful one as long as you are not in a hurry to get anywhere.

Trails are allowed, but very gently on the plastic (Photo: Keinan Cohen)