2013 BMW X1 Reviews

German automobile giant BMW is prone to remind us that the X1, when introduced, did not have a spot in the market, so the company created one, the premium compact sports activity vehicle segment.Now, despite dominating the class since, the X1 has been given a mid-life makeover adding even more appeal to the already successful crossover.ENGINESThe range of engines has been extended with the addition of three new variants – two petrol, one diesel – joining the already familiar X1 xDrive20d diesel. Standard fitment is a six-speed manual gearbox, while BMW’s Steptronic eight-speed automatic transmission is an option. The xDrive 20d test vehicle was powered by the carryover 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine – the same unit as in the entry-level diesel, the xDrive 18d -- with added oomph giving it a power output of 135kW and peak torque of 380Nm, producing acceleration from rest to 100km/h in a nippy 8.1 seconds.TECHNOLOGYThe xDrive of the X1 title refers to an all-wheel drive system that electronically controls torque distribution between front and rear axle – 40:60 under normal driving conditions – depending on which has the better traction. It’s one of those discreet systems that prevents the driver from getting into too much trouble under difficult going.BMW ConnectedDrive adds cruise control with braking function, plus rear park distance control as standard, the latter a great help in warning of low-set obstructions not visible from the command driving position.ConnectedDrive can also add optional adaptive navigation, professional and business systems, internet functionality, music interface for smartphones, high end Harman Kardon sound system, Bi-xenon headlights and a rearview camera.On the outside, the new X1’s already distinctive look has been beefed up with paint jobs to the front and rear bumpers, while side indicator lights are now integrated into the exterior mirrors reducing the chance of them being inadvertently left operating, confusing other road users.An upgrade in headlamps has resulted in a facelift to the X1, which can be given additional shine with optional Xenon lights incorporating white LED corona rings and a white LED arch.There’s more to the passenger cabin too, with better material on the centre console, new centre panel trim surrounds and chrome trim. An on-board computer is linked to a premium sound system with USB audio interface with Bluetooth hands-free facility.From the driver’s angle, the X1 presents vehicle system information in a clear and concise manner, controls come to hand readily, and there were no complaints from other occupants during the test.VALUEThe BMW X1 xDrive 20d with a six-speed manual sells for $54,900, plus on road costs. Our test car also had automatic transmission ($3500), performance control ($400), panoramic glass roof ($3000), metallic paint ($1700), Navigation Package Business $2900) and performance control ($400).The car also wore all the accoutrements of an xLine package, which adds a further $3200. This included Y-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails, ambient lighting, BMW xLine door sill finishes, velour floor mats, sport leather steering wheel, Nevada leather upholstery with contrast piping and highlight stripe on the seat backrests and ‘X’ stamping on headrests.  It all adds up very quickly if you find it difficult to resist temptation.DRIVINGDon’t expect this X1 to roar off from a standing start. The turbo takes time to cotton on to what is required of it but once up to speed, the car bowls along willingly until the need to pull up, something that hit home hard in the test car.Travelling at pace in a line of heavy traffic, the vehicle in front dramatically stopped. Foot hard on the brake pedal, the ABS at full weight and the X1 stopped too. No harm done. Throughout the whole manoeuvre the SUV kept its line, thanks to the optimally tuned suspension and related rubber.The latest BMW X1 diesel turned out to be safe and steady; more activity than sport.With further BMW EfficientDynamics technology thrown in, fuel economy benefits from brake energy regeneration, Eco Pro mode and the optimum shift indicator for manual models.The maker puts X1 xDrive 20d manual combined fuel consumption figures at 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres and carbon dioxide emissions of 145 grams per kilometre. The eight-speed automatic drops them to 5.4 litres and 143 grams respectively.On several days town driving we averaged 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres. On the open road this dropped to 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres, not the figures published by BMW, but the company is hardly alone in this regard.   The icing on the fuel consumption cake was the auto engine stop-start function. Research has shown that in the average daily urban commute, this technology can result in fuel savings of up to 30 per cent.A tip for those who haven’t experienced a stop-start system: on moving off, be patient and allow the motor to start up before tramping on the accelerator pedal, otherwise the car can lurch severely as if driven by a learner.VERDICTThe smallest SUV in the BMW collection makes an excellent small-medium station wagon, being not only practical but also providing excellent on-road dynamics, not to mention that little thing called prestige.MODEL RANGEX1 sDrive18d 2.0-litre diesel five-door wagon: $44,900 (manual), $48,400 (automatic)X1 sDrive20i 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $46,900(manual), $50,400 (automatic)X1 xDrive20d 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $54,900 (manual), $58,400 (automatic)X1 xDrive28i 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $58,200 (manual), $61,700 (automatic)BMW X1 xDrive 20dPRICE: From $57,593ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel, 135kW/380NmTRANSMISSION: 4-speed sports-auto, FWDTHIRST: 5.4L/100km, 143g/km CO2

Bingo! Our BMW X1 joined a very special club this week when it broke the 1000km barrier. By that I mean it was able to travel more than 1000km on a single tank of fuel.Only a handful of cars have been able to achieve this feat in the entire time that I have been testing cars - not big 4x4s with twin fuel tanks either.VALUEPriced from $44,900, it gets man-made leather and climate airconditioning. Entry level sDrive variant comes standard with 17 inch alloys, cruise control with braking function (this means it doesn't increase speed going downhill), rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, USB/AUX audio inputs with Bluetooth handsfree facility and a trip computer. Misses out on music streaming and a reversing camera.TECHNOLOGYLike its stablemate the entry X1 18d is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that delivers 105kW/320Nm and will do 9.6 seconds to 100km/h. sDrive variants such as this one denote two/rear-wheel drive, in contrast to xDrive that is all-wheel drive.X1 models benefit from EfficientDynamics technology, coming standard with Brake Energy regeneration, Auto Stop-Start for manual and the optional 8-speed auto, plus ECO PRO mode and Optimum Shift point indicator for the manuals.DESIGNThe X1 is basically the raised SUV version of the 1 Series hatch, with which it shares a platform and running gear. It's a higher riding, some would say better value proposition that costs another $1000 over the equivalent hatch.Recently updated the driver-focused cabin has also been enhanced with the addition of new, higher quality materials covering the centre console, new centre panel trim surrounds and new chrome trim elements.FUEL ECONOMYIn manual form the 18d delivers claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 litres/100km and a slightly higher figure of 5.0 litres/100km with the auto. That gives our test auto a theoretical range of 1220km from a single tank, but in reality these figures are rarely possible. The only way you could possibly achieve this is on a flat, straight road at a constant speed of 80km/h or even slower.SAFETYFive stars. Fitted with six airbags and all the safety gear you'd expect including electronic stability control.DRIVINGYou get two cars in one here. Driven normally it's quite sporty, but put it into ECO PRO mode and the system winds back, set to stay in top gear as long as possible to reduce fuel consumption. Cruise control is tricky to use but once you get it locked in that's where it stays thanks to the braking function, so it doesn't speedup going downhill - gotta like that.The thing is it doesn't default to ECO PRO mode, so you have to remember to press the button each time you start the car which is a bit of a bugger.

Right from the word go we were excited about getting into the sDrive18d.Instead of dropping, the predicted cruising range kept growing until it finally topped the 1000km mark. That was after about 40km of motorway in the fuel-saving Eco Pro mode (there's a switch). Could it be possible . . . don't tell us this stuff really works?VALUEMan-made leather and climate airconditioning. Entry level sDrive variant comes standard with 17 inch alloys, cruise control with braking function (this means it doesn't increase speed going downhill), rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, USB/AUX audio inputs with Bluetooth handsfree facility and a trip computer. Misses out on music streaming abd a reversing camera.TECHNOLOGYLike its stablemate the 1 Series hatch, the BMW X1 sDrive18d is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that delivers 105kW of power and 320Nm of torque and posts a respectable 9.6 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash. In manual form it delivers claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 litres/100km or with the automatic a slightly higher figure of 5.0 litres/100km.sDrive variants such as this one denote two-wheel drive, in contrast to xDrive that is all-wheel drive. X1 models benefit from EfficientDynamics technology, coming standard with Brake Energy regeneration, Auto Stop-Start for both manual and the optional 8-speed automatic transmissions, ECO PRO mode and the Optimum Shift point indicator for the manual models.DESIGNPriced from $44,900, it's basically the SUV equivalent of the 1 Series hatch, with which it shares a platform and running gear. It's a higher riding, some would say better value proposition that will set you back an extra $1000.We didn't like the design initially, but we've warmed to it since the mid-life update late last year that delivered sharper, better looking bus. The driver-focused cabin has also been enhanced with the addition of new, higher quality materials covering the centre console, new centre panel trim surrounds and new chrome trim elements.SAFETYFive stars. Fitted with six airbags and all the safety gear you'd expect including electronic stability control.DRIVINGYou get two cars in one here. Driven normally it's quite sporty, with strong throttle response and car-like handling. Put it into Eco Pro mode and the system winds back, set to stay in top gear as long as possible to reduce fuel consumption. The result is a sluggish feel and generally slower throttle response, but you can't argue with the fuel figures  the choice is yours.VERDICTThe diesel is definitely the pick in terms of fuel economy and simply for the way it drives.