Discriminating shoppers desiring import luxury helped build the BMW brand into a top-tier choice over the decades here in the U.S. The aspirational German automaker celebrates 100 years of automotive history this year, officially registering for duty in Germany back on March 7, 1916.
During its first century, BMW became a symbol of status and success in polite society. "Get a CPA, MBA, BMW," was a dreamy college campus mantra during the 1980s and 90s.
In 2010, BMW debuted its subcompact X1 crossover in Europe. Shortly thereafter, the five-door X1 arrived for duty in the U.S. during the 2013 model year. BMW recognized a younger demographic desiring new BMW's rather than opting for, say a pre-driven 5 Series sedan, remained under tapped. The X1 helps color in and fill this void.
A second-generation X1 debuts in 2016, building upon successes of Gen One with several welcome upgrades. Now skewing longer, taller and wider, the 2016 X1 relates closer to a compact than subcompact.
Diminutive-sized crossovers have emerged as one of the hottest-selling segments here in the states, and X1 finds itself well poised to grab a larger share of top-shelf connosurs. Compact-type crossovers accounted for more than two million unit sales in 2015. During 2016's first quarter, X1's U.S. sales boomed compared with the same 2015 time frame, due in no small part to the model changeover: 6,500 units vs. 2,761.
Officially, it's the
2016 BMW X1 xDrive28i. BMW doesn't much care for the plebian 'crossover' moniker, opting instead for 'sport activity vehicle.'
The capital "X" prefix identifies BMW products as a SAVs. Suffix integers indicate sizing, such as BMW's compact X3 (introduced in 2003) and mid-sized X5 (debuting in 2000). The larger the integer, the bigger the Bimmer.
All BMW crossovers, err sport activity vehicles, come standard with all-wheel drive, denoted as "XDrive." Working proactively, XDrive detects traction needs based upon electronic sensors; sending torque to the needed wheels. This system is optional in all sedans and coupes from the diminutive 2 Series convertible to the aspirational 7 Series sedan and built for Chicago's four season weather.
The sole X1 powertrain in 2016 is an all-new, 2.0-liter inline twin turbocharged four cylinder cranking out a class-topping 228 horsepower married to an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission. Gen One offered two turbo powertrains including a six banger.
BMW's X1 borrows underpinning cues from the nimble Mini Cooper during its Gen Two redo. Mini is part of BMW's family of nameplates which also includes Rolls Royce.
All of BMW's "X" lineup maximize internal combustion gasoline engines. BMW's short-term alternative propulsion investment centers around pure electric and extended range plug-ins; notably the compact i3 and head-turning i8 coupe, complete with gull-wing type side doors that scissor up and down when entering and exiting.
BMW's U.S. footprint is not limited to its dealership network. Since 1994, its massive Spartanburg, South Carolina assembly facility has produced 3.4 million vehicles. Currently, BMW's larger sport activity vehicles, the X3 and X5 call Spartanburg home, as do BMW's lower volume X4 and X6 five-door SAVs sporting couple-like silhouettes. Our compact X1 tester hails from Regensburg, Germany.
A handsome-looking piece of machinery, exterior sides include a prominent character line stretching from wrap-around taillight housing to front fenders. In contrast, the roof line apex, about six inches from the front A pillar, starts a gentle downward slope meeting with the power hatchback door's overhang-like spoiler. Side windows narrow towards the back, framed in chrome stripping. The diminutive back window includes a wiper arm. Dual exhaust tips come standard.
The front grille returns with BMW's trademark twin-kidney design and iconic blue-and-white circular logo pressed onto the hood. Dark-hued cladding frames circular wheel wells as well as front, rear and side bottoms, saving paint from chipping. Strap-like, body-colored door handle illuminate with pen lighting when unlocking via the key fob. Artistically arranged Light Emitting Diode (LED) daytime running headlights now come standard.
Prominent head room greets front seat passengers, thanks to a 1.7 growth in vehicle height. Seating height is elevated one inch in front and more than 2.5-inches in row two, easing entry and exiting while providing commanding views of surroundings when mobile. Standard power bucket seats include height-adjustment, allowing for a variety of precise, individualized comfort selections. The welcoming, high-quality interior includes a stepped center dash region topped with a flat-screen- like multi-function display screen, a center piece of iDrive connectivity.
At night, the easy-to-interpret instrument cluster (two flat, circular analog gauges trimmed in chrome) illuminates with red backlighting while optional, pin stripe glow lighting bars illuminate the lower dash and all four doors.
Starting at $34,800, X1 saunters in as one of BMW's most affordable offerings. One trim level combines with an array of factory option packages including a technology package (heads-up windshield display, larger 8.8-inch center-dash display, enhanced navigation graphics), driver assist package (park distance control, parking assist, rear-view camera display) and premium package (panoramic moon roof, ambient interior lighting and power folding mirrors). Also available; a number of elegant, a-la-carte opportunities.
Our tester included the driver assistance package ($1,150), premium package ($3,250), heated front seats ($550), space-saver spare tire ($150), slide and recline rear seats ($300), wood trim ($350), navigation upgrade ($1,200) premium sound system ($875) along with a $995 destination charge for a $43,620 bottom line.
The iDrive connectivity interface teams together a multitude of wizardry including in-dash navigation, Bluetooth, smartphones and audio functions. A circular, toggle dial with push-down and wiggle capacity is flanked by seven buttons, visualized through the standard 6.5-inch dashboard flat screen. The dial between front buckets would benefit from a contoured palm rest to minimize right wrist fatigue. Integrated into some Lexus models, this slightly elevated narrow pad eases the consistent select-and-click process. Currently X1's arm rest resides higher than the command dial, creating awkward-at-times hand positioning.
The ventilation system, three steps down along the center dash waterfall below a compact disc feed, includes two twist dials for selecting dual temperature settings. Push buttons between monitor fan speed and direction along with front/rear defrost and heated seats. Left of the iDrive dial: a pull tab for summoning the electronic parking brake.
Available is a pull-down, decent sized storage bin with non-stick flooring below the headlight dial at the far left side of the under dash.
Now one of the more welcoming back seats in a crowded compact segment, head room almost equals the front area's already generous clearance. Seat bottoms manually slide forward and back for better comfort commands. Optional in our tester were 40/20/40 seat backs which power down via hatch-area push buttons, increasing cargo options. Gen Two's region beyond first row buckets nicely grows to 58.7 usable cubic feet of room compared to 47.7 from 2015.
Expect one of the segment's smoothest, quietest riding experiences when tooling nimbly throughout the 'burbs or cruising Illinois tollways.
Fuel economy rides in at 22 miles per gallon city and 32 highway, decent for all-wheel drive, but below some two-wheel-drive rivals. A good-sized 16.1-gallon fuel tank extends the range between fill ups to accommodate the recommended 91-octane grade.
BMW's top-shelf four-year or 50,000-mile complimentary maintenance program covers factory-recommended procedures including oil changes, wiper inserts, brake pads and disc brakes. Programing service reminders into iDrive keeps appointments on schedule. Another reason to consider a BMW: excellent resale values when time comes to trade.
At a Glance
2016 BMW X1
Price as tested: $43,620
Engine: Inline 2.0-liter turbo four
Horsepower: 228
Overall length: 175.4 inches
Overall width: 71.7 inches
Overall height: 62.5 inches
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city, 32 highway
Curb weight: 3,660 pounds
Assembly: Regensburg, Germany