The BMW X1 has been called many things, even by the company that makes it. This vehicle performs in the compact crossover SUV class as one of the most impressive small vehicles that sits up higher on the road, but it really doesn’t have any utility to speak of. Instead, BMW prefers to call this an SAV, which stands for Sport Activity Vehicle, giving the X1 the right name and title and showing that it doesn’t have to be a utility model to be an admirable vehicle to drive on the road.
What is the X1 from BMW? This vehicle is really a 3 Series that has been blended with an SUV and given the AWD capabilities we want to enjoy. This vehicle offers you a little more space and ride height to ensure you have the vehicle you want to drive on and off the road. Because of its size it doesn’t take much to get this little vehicle going which also leads to the X1 being offered for a much better price that you would normally expect from a BMW luxury model that has the performance features that you want to enjoy.
The X1 has just come off a complete redesign for 2016 and now offers you only one notable difference for the 2017 model year. This vehicle now brings you a FWD model called the SDrive28i which allows the lineup of X1 models to be even more affordable. The sport seats are now a stand-alone option on this vehicle and the M package brings you more sport and the M suspension to give you the added benefit of a great ride that shows up with more power and dynamics to be the SAV that you want to drive instead of the one you have to drive.
Under the hood of the X1 you’ll only find one engine and that is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that brings you 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine uses an eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission and has a start/stop feature to have the ability to save fuel wherever it can. The new FWD model will give you 23 city/32 hwy mpg while the AWD version offers up 22 city/31 hwy mpg for you to enjoy. Even though the powertrain doesn’t sound like anything special, BMW promises the X1 can reach sixty mph in only 6.3 seconds, which is pretty quick for this small engine.
When you shop for a BMW model you know you’re looking at a sporty item that is expected to be a great drive. Sometimes you don’t expect to get the great features that come on these vehicles. The X1 offers you a power tailgate that can open with the swipe of your foot, making it easy to open with a simply movement. This model also offers you more cargo space that you expect for a vehicle of this size. The X1 has a 40/20/40 rear folding seat that can give you a massive 58.7 cubic feet of storage in the back to make sure you can bring along whatever you need.
If you look to the options that BMW loves to put on their models you’ll see that you can have a rearview camera added, a high-res 8.8-inch color monitor, a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, as well as driver assistance features such as lane departure warning, front collision warning, automatic emergency braking and active cruise control. These add-ons may increase the price of the X1, but they also make a huge difference in your driving experience from behind the wheel.
As the smallest SUV in the lineup from BMW (excuse me, SAV), the X1 is a great choice when you want a model that drives like a car but offers you more space than a sedan will give you. This vehicle is one of the most impressive small SUV models you’ll find and the drivability of the X1 is outstanding. If you want to learn more about the X1 and everything it has to offer, come see your nearby BMW dealer today and let them take you for a test drive in one of these amazing SAV models.
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