Specifications of BMW X1 (U11) 23d (211 HP) MHEV sDrive Steptronic

General characteristics of BMW X1 (U11) 23d (211 HP) MHEV sDrive Steptronic

The X1 was never designed to be a sports car. Instead, BMW has aimed to provide a refined ride that, combined with a dose of composure, should leave the driver feeling confident and relaxed. The relaxed nature of the drivetrain, especially the refinement of that transmission, adds greatly to the overall driving experience. On the road, a test drive will reveal that the X1's ride is on the firmer side, but not to the extent that it becomes a serious issue, although low-speed road imperfections can get a bit jarring, especially when fitted with the M sport suspension package. The X1 behaves more like a dynamic sedan than an SUV in this sense. Unfortunately, the electrically assisted power steering in the X1 is overly coddled and phases out most road feedback, which makes it feel less like a BMW and more like an average small SUV. That being said, the X1 still feels stable and planted around corners, and will happily follow steering inputs with quick responses from the nose, while body roll is kept to a minimum. The brakes work well and inspire confidence, especially when pushing on.

The X1 will be a wise choice for those who need the extra space of an SUV but don't want an overly bulky vehicle that will feel big and cumbersome. The X1 manages to offer a lot of interior space while at the same time delivering almost sedan-like driving characteristics. We'd go as far as to say it feels practically sporty in the way it operates, too. The ride might be a bit stiff when driving at lower speeds, but it always feels composed and eager to please. The engine is a gem, too - it pulls hard in any gear and offers more than enough go. The interior has a few hard plastic bits, but in general, it feels as premium as any other BMW product, and we appreciate the levels of standard features it comes equipped with. The infotainment system can feel laggy and Android Auto is missing, but the overall experience is decent. There's enough safety equipment and technology to make the X1 one of the safer cars in its class. We'd highly recommend looking at the X1 if you're in the market for a small luxury SUV.