BMW X1 – selling on the quality of a badge?

By Miles Downard.What is it?.Until quite recently I wasn't a fan of the crossover-type vehicle; it was only my experience with the Jeep Renegade up near the Kruger Park that changed that perception. So much to my excitement a BMW X1 recently arrived in our parking lot..The previous generation X1, around for some six years, sold like hotcakes the world over. What that really goes to show is the power the blue and white badge holds over us with what was a pretty awful vehicle. Now of course the segment is fiercely competitive being one of the top by sales volume, so the real question is has BMW upped its game enough to keep up?.On the outside.There's been a fairly significant overhaul on the design side of things for this X1. It's got a shorter nose thanks to a changed engine/drive layout and overall it's more conventional crossover than before – something of a downsized X3 rather than a raised 1 Series. Personally I think it's a little too squashed in these dimensions and the X3 and X5 take on the design features much better in their more generous proportions..On the inside.The previous X1 was criticized for poor interior quality – and while some issues have been addressed I still feel that overall material quality and finish is lacking in a vehicle that sits in a premium price bracket. My test car was equipped with an all black interior which unfortunately comes across awfully bland, which didn't really help matters I'm sorry to say. Perhaps different colour seats (which can be spec'd) would make all the difference, but as it stood I can't say I was sold..The transverse engine layout in the new X1 not only changes the exterior dimensions but also transforms interior space. Accordingly the BMW has gone from being the least practical crossover to one of the most spacious. Merc's GLA and Audi's Q3 don't stack up and even the spacious sub-premium stalwarts like the Nissan Qashqai fall short of what the BMW offers..Read also: 320d – BMW's most important vehicle.Behind the wheel.Much to many purists shock, the X1 continues BMW's ethos shift away from rear wheel drive. So as mentioned the X1 features a transverse engine layout and front wheel drive (or all wheel drive as an option), utilising the 2 Series Active Tourer platform. Under the hood of my test unit lay BMW's 2.0l turbo diesel unit producing 140kW and 400 torques, delivered to the road via an 8 speed auto box. The diesel and auto combination is a bit sluggish to get going, but once the turbo is up and running there's plenty of punch at your right foot's disposal..On the handling side of things BMW claims to have maintained near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, unusual to say the least in this configuration. Regardless the X1 isn't a driver's car, nor is it the best compact crossover, falling short of BMW's traditional ethos. Having said that it turns sharply enough and maintains pretty decent composure as lateral forces build through a corner so I can't complain too much – it's not a race car after all..Pricing.The standard vehicle costs R543,700 and comes with doors and the air inside it as you drive off the showroom floor. Everything else you'll have to pay for. Accordingly my sparsely spec'd test unit was nearer the R650,000 mark which is the part that annoys me considering the lacklustre quality inside the thing. The equivalent Audi is around the same price, while Merc offers significantly better value at near R60,000 less than the BMW provided you can live with less power. For the money I could..Verdict.While BMW has made strides over the previous generation X1 making it a more practical and better looking option than before, I don't know that it excites me about crossovers nearly as much as the sub-premium segment does. It's well documented that crossover buyers aren't that interested in space anyways so at well over half a million rand I want to be blown away by everything else – and the X1 doesn't achieve that. Now watch them sell millions.

BMW X1 – selling on the quality of a badge?

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