Insurance Group: 25
MPG: 48.7
CO2: 153
0-62 Mph: 8.4 secs
BHP: 177 BHP
Range: 653 miles
PROS: The X1 xDrive 20d M Sport is the car to buy if you prefer a car between an executive saloon and a small hatchback. This car offers the practicality of an estate and the sporty appeal of a hatchback. The engine is powerful yet economical.
CONS: Looking closely, the profile is slightly odd-looking. The quality of the interior is not up to normal BMW standards. The ride is rather firm and an added irritation is the offset pedals. Refinement is not quite good enough for a car of this type and price.
The X1 xDrive is a rear-wheel-drive, medium-sized 4x4 and is fitted with a manual 6-speed gearbox. Although a good all-round cruiser, its controls are a tad heavier than those on the 1-Series and 3-Series. It is powered by a 4-cylinder, 16-valve 1995cc diesel engine that propels the car to 62 mph in 8.4s and on to a top speed of 127mph. The engine produces 177bhp at 4000 rpm and delivers a torque figure of 258lb-ft at 1750-3000 rpm. With a combined mpg of 48.7 the xDrive is a good choice for driving about and out of town with the family.
The xDrive is quite agile and sharp to drive. The car’s grip on the road is commendable and steering is sufficiently weighted, however through the bends the handling is a bit vague and wooly. The ride is unsettled and the clutch is very heavy. Road and wind noise are well suppressed but the engine is always audible. Visibility is not an issue.
The X1 xDrive 20d M Sport 5dr's looks are not for everyone, but interior comfort is good with supportive seats and a superb driving position. One exception to this is the off-centre pedals which could prove uncomfortable on long drives. The dashboard is a straightforward affair with the control knobs and buttons focused and centred on the driver. The layout for the controls is efficient and intuitive.
Standard equipment includes climate control, alloy wheels, leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, rear parking sensors, electric and heated mirrors, MP3/iPod connectivity, CD/MP3 player, front foglights, electronic stability program and more. The M Sport version has a sportier look and feel and is fitted with Hill Descent Control. Available options are cruise control, power and heated seats, electric panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation, satellite tracking, reversing camera and rain sensing wipers. Exterior options include metallic paint for £465.
The X1 xDrive 20d M Sport 5dr offers little more practicality than some family hatchbacks at half the cost. The headroom is only adequate and the legroom in the rear is average due to the intrusive rear wheelarches and transmission tunnel. The xDRive can seat 5 adults and their luggage and while it is not by any means cramped, it is not the largest car on the inside.
The boot's capacity of 420 litres is not exactly impressive, but folding the rear seats expands the storage area to 1350 litres. There are also plenty of storage cubby-holes in the cabin.
Safety and security-wise, there are no issues here as the X1 xDrive 20d M Sport 5dr is fitted with plenty of safety kit and the overall Euro NCAP rating for the xDrive is 5/5.
The X1 xDrive 20d M Sport has a combined mpg of 48.7. Based on this figure and its CO2 emission rating of 153g/km, this car is economical enough for both city and country driving. It falls under insurance group 25 and Road Tax Band G.
Priced at £29,310, the xDrive is a bit more expensive than rivals such as the VW Tiguan. However, the xDrive has more options and its depreciation value is low.
The X1’s purchase price should be weighed against its low running cost. The initial cash outlay is high but over time the X1 will prove itself to be cost-efficient. All versions of X1 are easy to sell but the 20d is the most popular version on the used market.
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