YOU PROBABLY know a bit about the BMW X1 already. In a nutshell, Munich’s baby SUV been around since 2009 through two generations and it’s done some solid numbers without ever being a particular darling of the Wheels test team. It now arrives in third-generation guise and, without wishing to pre-empt the verdict of this test, it’s fair to say that it’s upped its game considerably. It needed to.
At present there are two models to choose from. Opening proceedings is the X1 sDrive18i at $53,900. It’s powered by a three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine good for 115kW and 230Nm. Admittedly that doesn’t sound like much engine for a $50K+ vehicle, and it only drives the front wheels, but Mercedes-Benz is quite happy to sell you a $79K car with a 1.5-litre powerplant that drives two treads so perhaps it’s not quite such a stretch.
Sitting above that is the X1 xDrive20i which fronts up with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine that divides its 150kW/300Nm between all four wheels and opens at $65,900.
If it’s been a while since you’ve been a BMW customer, you might well be a little surprised at what you get
