BMW BLOG

Another BMW X1 test drive came out, this time, the UK based Autocar published their X1 review. As we mentioned earlier today, last week, several auto publications were invited for press preview of the X1 before the official launch in June.

So far, most of the X1 reviews we’ve seen were quite positive and Autocar gives the X1 a passing grade, even more, their last statement is quite powerful: “In simple terms, it takes all the likeable qualities of the 3-series and wraps them up in a higher-riding estate style body, also allowing you to head off-road when the need arises.”

Before we let you read the entire review, we would like to applaud BMW for offering this press preview test drive, which turned out to be an effective marketing method so far.

What is it?

BMW’s new junior off-roader – the X1. UK sales are slated to get underway around October, with local BMW officials hinting at a starting price of £25,000 for the entry-level xDrive18i and rising to around £35,000 for the range topping xDrive28i.

BMW is going for a broad reach with the X1, which will come with the option of three petrol and three diesel engines from the outset. The petrols include two 2.0-litre units with 141bhp and 168bhp, and a 254bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit. On the diesel side there is a trio of 2.0-litre common rail fours producing 141bhp, 175bhp and 201bhp. We’re testing a prototype of the 201bhp xDrive23d here.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on all but the xDrive30i and xDrive23d, both of which receive a six-speed automatic with remote shift buttons on the steering wheel.

BMW X1 xDrive23d Full Review