Luxury used to be synonymous with top-tier leather upholstery and an array of high-end gadgets meticulously packed into a car. However, the democratization of technology has eliminated this exclusive advantage, leading to a decline in the prominence of leather seats, mirroring the fading popularity of fur coats.

For premium manufacturers like BMW, the objective is to attract customers while maintaining a certain level of distinction that defines their brand. The 2023 X1 sDrive18i, a fresh iteration of BMW’s entry-level crossover, represents the brand’s response to this evolving dilemma. While it might be considered a more subdued version of a classic Bimmer, it remains a robust and functional daily utility vehicle, skillfully showcasing BMW’s current offerings.

The 2023 BMW X1 marks the beginning of the crossover’s third generation since its debut in 2009. This redesigned version aligns with BMW’s contemporary design language, characterized by substantial kidney grilles, intricate surfaces, and a somewhat perplexing aesthetic. Although it retains its compact, robust luxury crossover silhouette, the new X1 incorporates updated design elements.

Beneath the hood lies a 1.5l 3-cylinder engine producing 115 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, managed by BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system.

Most notable changes are concentrated in the interior, which has been revamped to align with the brand’s current lineup. Inspired by the iX and elements from the 7 Series, the updated cabin boasts enhanced efficiency in layout, creating a more spacious and streamlined ambiance. The use of intelligent simplicity is evident, exemplified by features like the floating armrest and center console, eliminating unnecessary elements while maximizing useful storage solutions.

A defining feature is the panoramic glass roof, welcoming daylight and offering sun/moon roof functionality. At night, ambient lighting sets the desired atmosphere. The seats in the X1 have also been reimagined, now exclusively available with SensaTec 2.0, BMW’s advanced animal-free leather alternative.

The X1’s tech offerings commence with the curved display on the dashboard, a recurring feature across BMW’s lineup. The responsive 10.7-inch interface, powered by iDrive 8, consolidates various vehicle functions, including aircon controls, in an accessible layout. While responsive to touch inputs, navigating menus and apps can feel intricate, occasionally leading to frustration.

Behind the steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster is seamlessly integrated into the curved display, serving as the central hub for crucial vehicle data. While customizable to a certain extent, it largely adapts to incorporate more information within its visually engaging interface.

Featuring a minimalist button layout, the X1 primarily employs the drive select switch and a volume input that’s conveniently a rolling cylinder rather than a knob. USB-C inputs abound in the cabin, with a few integrated into the wireless charging bay, resembling a safety bar on a roller coaster.

Standard tech features include front collision warning with active braking, pedestrian alerts, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. The premium package introduces new driver assistance features like active cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, corrective steering inputs, and traffic jam assist, supporting longer journeys even in congested conditions. The X1 can handle hands-free driving up to 60 km/h provided the driver remains attentive.

The X1’s native navigation is enhanced by the touchscreen’s responsiveness, allowing intuitive inputs such as taps and pinches for zooming and locating points of interest. The system utilizes the X1’s multiple cameras to overlay augmented reality directions for intersections, although this feature is relegated to the center console display.

When away from the car, BMW’s connectivity features enable remote monitoring through a smartphone app, including cabin views via in-car cameras for forgotten items or passengers. In case of theft attempts, the camera can capture the intruder’s face.

Initial pricing for the BMW X1 sDrive18i starts at R780 000, making it an enticing entry point for those aspiring to join the BMW family. However, while the X1 is comfortable and drives well, some overenthusiastic convenience features can occasionally frustrate. Despite this, the X1 effectively showcases BMW’s strengths beyond its typical performance focus, offering a stylish design and a wealth of technology.

With the full package, the X1’s price reaches around R840 000, positioning it competitively against rivals like the Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA. In the face of this formidable competition, the X1 rises to the challenge while emphasizing comfort over pure performance.

Unfortunately, SA drivers refuse to take their medicine – even if as I suspect, for many, an unfashionable wagon would make more sense for them than a generally less economical crossover does – and so in its second generation the X1 gets bigger (so they claim), taller, and altogether more SUV-lite.

First Impressions Count 

The styling is certainly mini-X5, the upright proportions emphasized by a shorter wheelbase than the outgoing car. It’s butch and handsome, angry with its LED lights and chromed nostrils where the Audi Q3 looks haughty like a disapproving robo-butler.

All the extra glass helps brighten the interior, too, especially when you have the optional panoramic sunroof. I’m a fan of the cabin, with its seats that look more like they should come from a modernist design store than a car dealership, and a clean, tidy dashboard.

Sadly, BMW still likes buttons, so there are plenty of dedicate switches for the radio and HV/AC, and while there’s a fair amount of plastic it feels suitably premium. The open-pore wood is an elevating touch, as is the LED mood lighting that’s another option.

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A non-touch display perches on top of the dashboard and at turns pleases and frustrates. In some places, BMW has it spot on: its map UI, with its well-signposted street names, is spot on, for instance. However the menu structure can be deeply confusing, you don’t get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (Because, Africa), and there were many times I wished I could just reach out and tap the screen rather than figuring out the scrolling, sliding steps required just to punch in an address.

If the tech can be confusing, BMW’s engine line-up for the X1 isn’t. Gone is the six-cylinder option of the old car, and hello to the all-new four cylinder; Two petrol and one diesel units. The units are good for between  100KW and 170KW outputs of power, the latter arriving at an easily-achieved 1,250 rpm. The xDrive comes with AWD as standard.

Either way, there’s an eight-speed automatic transmission and Driving Dynamics Control system with three different modes: Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport. On the road, once you turn off the annoyingly jerky auto-stop/start system, the X1 is clean and perky.

The faintly anesthetized electric power steering isn’t entirely in keeping with BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” slogan, and nor is the slight lag when you stab the throttle from a standing start, but once you’re underway the gearbox is swift and it holds the corners well. I’d expected ride quality to be seriously undermined by the standard run-flat tires, but the X1 is impressively composed, though you quickly develop a careful foot on the brake pedal as they’re very sensitive.

Prepare, too, for a significant hit on your wallet. The X1 may be the first model on BMW’s X Series ladder, but it carries a hefty price tag all the same. Base price is around R453 000 plus R513 Co2 emissions, but BMW’s options list is legendary and for good reason. Heated front seats aren’t, oddly, standard, and neither is a reversing camera; add R4500 and R4600 respectively to add them, along with parking sensors. The rear seats don’t slide or recline until you give BMW another R2500.

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About R20 500 introduces the Premium Package, with power mirrors, keyless entry, a panoramic moonroof, ambient lighting, LED headlamps, and satellite radio. The R4700 Technology Package gets the infotainment online and adds app, along with the slick trackpad-topped control dial. R8500 adds the harman/kardon audio system.

Altogether this review car comes in at R650 000. That’s still without adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warnings, pedestrian detection, or auto-high-beams.

That’s a fair amount more than the comparable Audi Q3, though the X1’s two liter delivers stronger economy despite more power and more torque. The EPA figures come in at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, for 26 mpg combined (in contrast, the Audi is rated for 20/29/23 mpg respectively).

You’ll fit more in the BMW’s trunk, too – between 505 and 1550 litres, depending on whether the rear seats are up or down and passenger space is more plentiful, particularly when it comes to rear legroom.  I am pretty tall but could rest like a king in the rear seats.

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In Closing

In fact, pricing aside, the X1 makes a lot more sense as a small, luxury crossover than the Q3 does. Moreover, grudgingly, I must confess that the 2016 BMW X1 delivers far more than its wagon-esque predecessor ever did.

More luxury, more quality, more refinement, and more driving interest. I may be a wagon fan but I’m no fool with it: the 2016 X1 is both bigger and better, and that adds up to the compact crossover to beat in the high-end segment.

BMW uses a 6 and 8-speed Steptronic transmission to put the power to the ground and the AWD system is optimized for efficiency. The new X1 also has increased interior cargo room and more headroom than the outgoing model.

MW fits the X1 with full-LED headlights, BMW Head-Up display, and Driver Assistance Plus. Power front seats are standard in the car and the seating position is raised for front passengers by an inch compared to the outgoing model. Rear seat passengers are 2.5-inches higher up than the outgoing model. Rear seat passengers also get 2.5-inches more rear legroom when fitted with the optional adjustable rear seats and 1.5-inches more rear legroom with standard seats.

BMW offers two non-metallic paint options and nine metallic options with Estoril Blue as an exclusive with the M Sport Package. We mentioned that the TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder makes 228hp. Pricing starts at R435 000