Design and Build

This third generation X1 completes the visual switch of this model line from Crossover to fully-fledged SUV. It's larger than its predecessor too, 53mm longer, 24mm wider and 44mm taller. At the front, slim LED headlights flank the large, almost square BMW kidney grille. The profile has a dynamically rising character crease. And at the rear, horizontal lines and the narrow rear window emphasise the extra body width. Inside, it's all change, mainly because of the adoption of BMW's 'Operating System 8' media system, which sees the introduction of a 'Curved Display' on the dash top, made up of a 10.7-inch instrument monitor seamlessly joined to a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. The latter display incorporates the 'BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant', a voice control system responding to the command 'Hey BMW'. Wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is standard. And the infotainment set-up now updates itself with 'over-the-air' upgrades, so you'll get into your X1 one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before. As for practicalities, well the front of the cabin's now more spacious and the seats offer better all-round comfort. A 22mm wheelbase length increase means the rear compartment is roomier too, now with three full-sized seats and a base able to slide by up to 13cms. That aids the larger 540-litre boot too and if you flatten the 40:20:40-split rear backrest, up to 1,600-litres of capacity is available. The PHEV and EV models aren't quite so good here, offering 490-litres with the rear seat up and 1,495-litres with it folded.

Market and Model

Pricing has risen a bit this time round, now starting at just over £35,000 for the entry-level sDrive18d un-electrified diesel version. But there's a big jump after that if you want one of the two mild hybrid variants, the petrol xDrive23i, priced from just over £40,000, and the diesel xDrive23d, priced from just over £42,000. Think in terms of around £45,000 upwards for the two Plug-in Hybrid derivatives: and £45,000-£55,000 for the all-electric iX1. In the mainstream X1 range, there's a choice of five trim levels; 'Sport Premier', 'xLine Premier', 'xLine Premier Pro, 'M Sport Premier' and 'M Sport Premier Pro'. The two 'M Sport' models that many will want get 19-inch M light alloy wheels, Adaptive M Suspension and M High-gloss Shadowline trim. Interior appointments at this level include sport seats, an anthracite-coloured headliner and an M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles. All variants get a comprehensive media package that includes 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' wireless smartphone integration. And BMW ConnectedDrive upgrades keep the car up to date with the latest software, with upgrades ranging from new services to improved vehicle functions. Specify the 'Comfort Access' pack and you'll get the 'BMW Digital Key Plus' feature, which will allow you to lock or unlock your X1 with your Apple iPhone. And you'll be able to share this functionality with up to five users using the 'My BMW app'.

Cost of Ownership

As you'd expect from a current BMW, emissions are low and fuel economy is excellent. Let's give you the figures, starting with the un-electrified sDrive18d diesel, which manages up to 57.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 129g/km of CO2. Thanks to BMW's latest 48V mild hybrid tech, the mid-range variants aren't far behind. The xDrive23d diesel actually improves slightly on the figures just given, managing up to 58.9mpg and 125g/km. And the xDrive23i delivers up to 43.5mpg and up to 146g/km of CO2. What about the Plug-in Hybrids? Well, as we told you in our driving section, these can go up to 55 miles on battery power, and that means the WLTP cycle gives them a rather unrealistic 353.1 mpg combined fuel showing: the tax-beating CO2 reading is up to 17g/km. These Plug-in Hybrids have a maximum charging capacity improved to 7.4kW (it was 3.7kW on the old X1 Plug-in model), which enables the high voltage battery to be fully recharged from empty in 2.5 hours - or around 8 hours from a conventional domestic power socket. Finally, there's the iX1 full-electric version, which as we told you in our 'Driving' section can go up to 296 miles on a charge in single motor eDrive20 form - or up to 272 miles in xDrive30 AWD guise. The iX1 can support single and three-phase AC charging up to 11kW, which allows the battery to be fully replenished from empty in 6.5 hours. DC charging at up to 130kW makes it possible to boost the battery level from 10 to 80% in 29 minutes, or increase range by 75 miles in just 10 minutes.

Summary

The X1 has taken a big step forward here. There's a step forward in price too of course, but we think many potential customers will feel that to be justified, given the considerable evolution in maturity now on display. The previous X1 was very much an SUV that was bought by those who couldn't quite afford an X3. This car though, has its own attractions. And in summary? Well thanks to this update, we think the X1 will continue to be the best selling contender of its kind. The brand might continue to prefer not to call this an 'SUV' but the truth is that amongst compact models, the X1 continues to epitomise the kind of car that term now defines in today's market. It delivers all the key elements needed from a modern fashion-led compact family crossover, but also has an essential dose of that BMW 'want one' factor that's done so much for the Munich maker's sales. You'll need to be convinced of that to choose one, but if you are, you'll find this Bavarian model difficult to ignore in this over-crowded sector. The X Factor? You might well think this car has it.