The X1 delivers the BMW brand experience to those who want an SUV-style wagon, whether or not is has any real offroad competence.
2010 BMW X1 Overview
The test X1 was the xDrive20d variant, which means all-wheel drive, 2.0-litre diesel engine. Although the list of standard equipment is long, so is the options list, as with most BMWs. The starting price for this variant is $52,700 with the standard six-speed manual transmission ($54,900 with automatic).
Dual-zone climate control, vehicle stability control (‘Dynamic Stability Control’), cruise control with braking, anti-lock braking with corner braking control, ‘dynamic’ brake lights with flashing function to indicate heavy braking, smart 17-inch alloys, a multitude of airbags (including head bags, front and rear), roof racks and trip computer are present and correct. But you pay extra for the test car’s handsome wood trim and leather seats, as part of what is called the Design Cool Elegance package ($2340).
It was also equipped with the $3000 panoramic glass sunroof. You pay an extra $1700 for metallic paint, $1000 for bi-xenon headlights. Satellite navigation per the test car costs $3463 and choosing 18-inch wheels instead of the standard 17s puts an extra $1115 on the bill. To illustrate the way the price can mount, Car Showroom’s test X1 had $15,404 worth of options! Standard across the X1 range is a start/stop button and the xDrive20d manual also has automatic stopping and starting of the engine when the vehicle is stationery, a very useful fuel-saving feature which can be switched off if it irritates you (it will certainly surprise you the first few times!)
2010 BMW X1 Engine
The 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers a useful 130 kW of power at 4000 rpm and will actually rev a little higher than many diesels without feeling asthmatic. Torque, as always, counts more with this style of engine and the peak figure of 350 Nm is available right through from 1750 to 3000 rpm, ensuring strong performance. On test, fuel economy was around 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres of mostly highway cruising. The xDrive20d’s CO2 emissions are 153 g/km (164 for the six-speed automatic variant).
There is lots of cleverness to xDrive because it distributes power individually to whichever wheels have the better traction, so it will work well in snow or on ice. The limiting factors to this all-wheel drive vehicle’s offroad ability are sedan-like ground clearance and the lack of any form of low range, all of which makes the hill descent control seem academic.
2010 BMW X1 Interior
The days of austere BMW interiors is long gone but the Car Showroom test X1 was doubtless greatly enhanced by its optional (if embarrassingly named) Design Cool Elegance package. Particularly impressive are the front seats with their supportive side bolsters. There is good space in the rear and the seat split-folds in three sections for optimum persons/load carrying capacity.
Even with the seat backs in their upright position there is quite generous room for luggage. Rearward vision is somewhat compromised and the driver is always conscious of the thick A-pillars and the complementary blind spots provided by the huge exterior mirrors. Not so many years ago BMW located the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel where they should be.
But this idea was ditched and the presence of an additional, if shorter, stalk very close to the indicator stalk can cause brief confusion and is less than ergonomically ideal. So, too, is the iDrive system – better than it used to be, thanks to simple menu buttons, but still fiddlier and more time-consuming than it need be, as well as (sometimes) counter-intuitive.
2010 BMW X1 Exterior & Styling
Few will argue that this is an imposing and beautifully proportioned vehicle that is as elegant as the original X3 was gawky. Equally, it is unmistakably a BMW and one from the company’s latest design school. As with all BMWs the design of the wheels is an intrinsic element. The X1 has the style and presence of a more expensive SUV: it’s great!
2010 BMW X1 On The Road
BMW’s reputation was founded on the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ theme. This particular wagon handles better than anything else in its class, in terms of cornering composure. But the steering is way too light and lacking in the communicativeness one expects of a BMW.
Ride comfort is very good. The relative lack of ground clearance inhibits any desire to take it far off the neatly beaten track and it certainly lacks the considerable ability displayed by some others, especially the first shape X5. It cruises with great ease and with very low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
2010 BMW X1 Challenges
The power steering is too light. Some of the ergonomics are tricky. All-round vision is not brilliant and the designers should have given it higher priority.
2010 BMW X1 Verdict
This is an interesting example of a niche vehicle. It brings the coveted BMW brand values to the compact SUV vehicle at a reasonable price, provided you avoid some of the pricier options.
The fact that it is also offered as a two-wheel drive machine reflects the fact that its offroad abilities are limited.
2010 BMW X1 Competition
Nominating rivals for the X1 is not easy. The Subaru Forester and Outback models command less status in the market but are at least as competent in many respects.
It seems likely that the X1 will bring many new buyers to the BMW brand, as well as appealing to existing BMW owners who want a more versatile vehicle.
Thumbs-up:
Superb styling, great handling
Thumbs-down:
Steering too light, tricky ergonomics
