2016 BMW X1 Review - The Un-BMW - When a BMW a BMW not? Some will say when he four wheels. Others will say when it is front wheel driv...
When a BMW a BMW not? Some will say when he four wheels. Others will say when it is front wheel drive. But we're here. smallest crossover BMW has abandoned its roots BMW 3 Series for foundations shared with the Mini Countryman.
Say what?
Americans may be surprised to hear that the X1 is not the first driver before BMW. Nor is it the last BMW with a transverse engine. Our European friends will soon see the 2 Series Gran Tourer - a small 7-seater minivan .... Yes, a BMW SUV. What is the sound, you ask? . Minds breath
For purists, the notion of a trio of BMW __gVirt_NP_NN_NNPS <__ transverse engine roam around the countryside is an abomination; an affront to everything the owners E46 M3 holds sacred.
For the rest of you? It's not a big deal. Seriously.
Exterior
The old X1 looked more crossover wagon, because he was more than crossover wagon. BMW took an E91 3 series and sent to the School of Forester.
In 2016, the X1 has a more traditional look crossed with a larger profile and boxier dimensions, although it bucks the largest-is-better ethical and loses length hair.
classic, the rear-wheel drive proportions of the old X1 was replaced by a projection much further, a rear overhang slightly larger and shorter overall dimensions. Then a close friend and BMW purist immediately noticed "something wrong" with the front end of the X1, the casual observer is unlikely to think it is anything other than an X3 9 / 10th scale. This is what BMW is betting on.
Interior
In the same vein as the exterior, the interior of the BMW X1 is a theme variant. Our model was wood trim and optional was lit by ambient lighting. Its dashboard is standard Bavarian fare. And monkeys driving those used by major BMW crossovers.
Although 2016 X1 is not as long as the outgoing model, you'll actually find more room inside thanks to its space efficient, front-wheel drive roots. BMW has been able to push back the limits of the efficiency package with the X1 because it no longer needs to accommodate a longitudinally mounted 3-liter inline-six under the hood. In addition to improved sitting position, you will find more headroom, legroom and cargo space than before in his cabin.
Although BMW has taken care to share as little as possible with its Mini brand some design areas shared shine through. The bottom cushions of the front seats are shorter than what you usually find in a BMW and the seats lack the adjustment range you'll meet in the Audi Q3 and BMW X3 crossover more. The center console is closer to the ground than other BMW, a design permitted by the transverse engine layout. In addition, the X1 uses a traditional shifter Mini-esque instead of the BMW partsbin joystick.
Infotainment
X1 Base models get a 6.5-inch iDrive screen (a bigger screen is available) as well as Bluetooth and USB base / Support iDevice. If you want features such as voice control of your media library and smartphone app integration, those who are in the $ 2,250 Technology package comes with navigation and HUD. Adding satellite radio will cost you another $ 3,250 for the "Premium Package" which also adds dimming and folding mirrors, lumbar support, ambient lighting and LED headlights. This is the area where a luxury car with a $ 35,000 base price starts to look like less and less of an agreement with respect to a Buick loaded. Although iDrive is the most expensive infotainment system in this small segment, the high-resolution tasteful graphics, fast interface and integration of superior phone system to make this fight.
Training
"X1 is FWD it is AWD." That's my friend's line kept repeating when we discussed its new X1. While this is technically true in the United States, we need to delve deeper.
The only engine offered is a new turbocharged 2-liter that makes slightly less punch than the 2015 motor power drops to 228 horsepower and torque remains essentially the same at 258 lb-ft. the engine is always coupled to a transmission with eight speeds, but this time is a cross Aisin unit and not a longitudinal unit ZF. the same basic transmission is in new vehicles four-cylinder Volvo, the Lexus RX350 and even some versions of the Chevrolet Malibu.
the major difference between the wheel drive system of this car that of his predecessor should be obvious: it is programmed to send 100 percent of the power to the front wheels whenever possible for increased efficiency. Unless there wheelspin, the X1 never send more than 50 percent of power to the rear wheels, a very different dynamic from the previous X1. Despite the change in powertrain, fuel economy remains the same as before at 26 mpg combined.
player After driving 2016 X1 and snagging the keys to a 2014 X1 CPO from a local dealer, I realized that most big problem with the X1 is not competition; it is the original X1 exists. If the X1 from 2013 to 2015 was never sold in the US, the story would be that BMW has created a polarized crossover four-wheel drive and is BMW's crossovers subcompact. Simple. But earlier X1 not exists and, in 2013, I said on this subject: "The X1 is the BMW cheapest on the ground may well have the highest ratio. fun / dollar of any modern BMW. It is also one of the few vehicles I actually buy if my money was on the line. "
Let's go back and talk about the X1 as if his predecessor had never existed.
The automatic eight-speed Aisin is a solid choice for BMW. The first speed is low enough to give the X1 has 2.7 seconds 0-30 mph time and changes are fast enough to allow the crossing of the front wheel of a sprint of 6.8 second to 60 mph. This is the same 0-60 mph time we clocked the GLA 250, transmitting only the X1 will drive you to tears in stop-and-go traffic as herky-jerky DCT Mercedes. (It is, however, about 0.5 second slower than BMW cites on its website.) Q3 Audi also uses an Aisin unit, but it is 2 teeth behind the X1. The six oldest automatic engine including less powerful speeds make Q3 feel like a slug by comparison.
BMW X1 shoes all models with 225 rolling tire width flat in an effort to save weight. Opt for the M-Sport trim and tires do not get wider, but you can check the option box for the summer rubber instead. Anyway you slice it, the tires seem close when you visit the Audi dealership and notice most of Q3 models wear 255 / 40R19 rubber. The means of choice of tires the X1 falls towards the back of the pack when it comes to handling ability and stopping distance, unless you compare fillings absolutely base where the BMW beats Audi but falls behind the Merc .
I was worried when I heard that BMW and Mini are sharing platforms. Not because I feared BMW would start putting their orange tachometer in the center of the dashboard, but because I've never cared for the modern Minis turn. The suspension of the Mini crossover is too firm and easily become disrupted on the broken sidewalk, but this was not the case with the X1. Instead, the ride is quieter and softer than GLA, but not as sweet as the Lincoln MKC.
Starting at $ 34,800, it can seem like the X1 is at a disadvantage compared to the price cheaper GLA 250 and Q3. Start looking at the list of features, however, and the X1 is actually one of the best values. It is cheaper than a comparable GLA, especially if you start adding options to Mercedes. It is a tad more expensive than the Q3, feature-for-feature, but it's also a second quicker to 60 mph. BMW has made options available in the X1 you just do not find in Q3 or GLA, as a head-up display and the same infotainment system seen on top models. The result is as you expect. BMW cheaper happens to be the wheel drive before
If we circle back to the old X1, we can immediately see the problem. The old X1 was an inexpensive time machine back to an E93 wagon but protected by a new car warranty. The current X1 is a compact people mover suburb with a trunk that can swallow a barbecue.
The X1 is the perfect example of an automobile puzzle. It is better in almost every metric than its predecessor, but it is less satisfactory. The X1 is the potato chip cooked World compact crossover. In truth, all compact crossovers there are healthy snacks, but the former was the X1, extra fat fried chip, super salty that everyone secretly wanted. After all the scores were tallied, the X1 beat the GLA, which is too small to be practical and too coarse to be a Mercedes, but falls behind the Q3, which is simply more fun on a winding mountain road .
The new X1 is not the guilty pleasure it once was. And it's a shame
BMW provided the vehicle for this review
Specifications as tested: ..
0-30 mph: 2.7 seconds
0-60 mph: 6.8 seconds
1/4 mile: 14.9 seconds @ 94 mph
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