Graham from the office ventures out into the snow to find out if BMWs latest SUV, the X1, is a new crossover champion or just an unnecessary niche. For more videos, news and reviews go to fwd.five.tv/fif...
Hello, I'm *a regular guy*, i like this car for not being huge, since i mostly use it around town, but its big enough to pack enough stuff when going on a trip (i can even put the big dog in the trunk with shelf removed). It's fast, fun to drive and economical.. and i appreciate 4x4 since i occasionally get stuck in winter on icy roads with 2wheel drive. I like the look of it, inside and out and its way cooler than an estate. ..and it's a BMW, so it holds its value well.
Let me explain the rationality of this car to you, BMW are based in Munich where you have lots of young people who buzz around the city during the week. At the weekend however these same people pack their snowboards into the back of their cars and take off to the Alps. One huge advantage of this car is that the rear seats split 40/20/40 meaning that you can take 4 pople and 4 snowboards more comfortably than the 3 series where two people must squeeze together at the rear.
Don't think this guy has actually any idea what he's talking about at all! The X1 went onto becoming a HUGE global success story and very popular model only expanding even further with the F48 models from 2015 onwards! An absolutely awesome vehicle which still sells very well even the well used models sell very well! I own this model XDrive 23D and an avid skier/mtb'er and it is superb for climbing and descending snowy mountain roads solid & high performance! The 23D twin turbo engine won International engine of the year at the time too! Amazing Bavarian crossover machine!
I have a 2012 bmw x1 xdrive25i (AWD) I live in rural Australia and it does me just fine, whilst the finishes might not be as high as say a 3 series. It certainly drives and handles as I would expect any bmw to. Absolutely brilliant car
This BMW X1 has already proven to be a well liked car for business contract hire and perosnla car leasing. we have already taken many orders for the BMW X1 sdrive 1.8d SE which starts from just £352.30 per month at Target Car Leasing
You've got to ask yourselves at some point if your approach is in tune with the world or if you've got your heads stuck up your collective bums. Look at the X1 sales figure and then return to this review and its conclusion that pretentious Barry is the only viable marked segment for the car. Why should we as your viewers take anything you say seriously?
Get your facts right!! BMW X1 also comes with 2.0ltr 4 & 3.0 ltr 6 cylinder petrol engines. And yes, totally agree with comments below, you are quite off.. BMW X1 is an excellent choice for those who don`t like massive SUV`s, but still want a decent crossover! Well done BMW!! ;)
So he owns a Tiguan!!!!..That explains many things!! For him Tiguan's interior is more sexy than X1!!!!!!??? AND HE PREFERS YETI!!!!!!!!OMG Change your glasses man!!
Back to the Alps scenario, no speed limit on the Autobahn means that most people drive near to 200km, so run flat tires and a v6 BMW start to make more sense than a cheaper car. When you get to the Alps obviously you are going to have to ascend on icy bendy roads with minus temp, hence the 4wd and good cornering comes into its own. When at the resort it can often be snowy, so a bit more ground clearance over the regular 3 series is a good thing.
I'm happy with my x1 it got power speed and enough space for a fairly small vehicle. It also has the bmw trademark and looks good on the road. I don't know what this knob is all about.
He said something right, "it goes well round the corners". The steering is very precise on the sDrive and it is very predictable even when driving on snowy roads so it is very easy to take it to the limits. The interior is better than the competition at slightly higher prices (dealers offered significant discounts at that time). The more powerful models are obviously more expensive, but the competition doesn't even offer such engines. The interior space is up to you to decide. There are lots of smaller cars that are still chosen by customers. The bigger and heavier the less responsive, manoeuvrable and less fun it is, unless you invest a lot more money in engines and performance components. It is up to you to decide what you like and what you need.
Rented the twin turbo diesel model. Drove from Munich all the way to Düsseldorf. Very good car indeed, 180+ kpr and consumption was great, super smooth and stable for 4+ hours.
If you often get in and out of a car you really appreciate one thats a bit higher then a normal estate or saloon car especially when you get older. And in terms of space you almost get the same as a 3series, what I think is normaly enough. And some people set a high value on fuel consumption. So in my point of view thats the people who buy a X1
my gf upgraded from her Kia Picanto to an X1 because she wanted more road presence and more space and just a bigger car in general yet not too big.... Its perfect
at least here in Germany it is available with both all wheel drive and petrol engines. It nearly has the space of a 3 series touring but is cheaper and (for me) it's the better looking car. ..
bary i have news for you.x1 interior is better than tiguan's and it is the best crossover as far as perfomance is concerned. i have the 2.8 x drive (petrol). it also has a weird but classic beautiful look which looks awesome in brown marakesh. Last but not least you didn't try it offroad properly and i am sure it can go as far as the tiguan and the q3 can go. next time do a better review
the engine on the 2009-present BMW X1 Engine 2.0L 143 hp (107 kW) I4 2.0L 170 hp (127 kW) I4 3.0L 258 hp (192 kW) I6 2.0L 241 hp (180 kW) turbo I4 2.0L 143 hp (107 kW) Diesel I4I4 2.0L 177 hp (132 kW) Diesel I4 2.0L 204 hp (152 kW) Twin-Turbo Diesel I4
My model is a sDrive 28i. The way i configured it was 34,300 - 1G =33,300. I added something so it went up a little. Anyways i did get a sales and purchase agreement. So everything price wise was set in stone on the day i picked up my Awesome orange X1.
I drove the X1 recently for a weekend and it was alright to be fair. I used to have a t180 rav4 which I liked and the BMW was better to drive but didn't feel special like other bmw's o have driven. It was quick though (23d auto) and cornered brilliantly. I also thought the seats were good and the driving position high enough for me. Only thing I'm not struck on is the noise (more than rav) and dash plastics but I'd buy one over freelander. (drive that too and was behind rav on road)
@fanismes realy nice car but what do you think about the engine ? cause i have a GX 460 and i wana replace it with the x1 what do you think and how much dose cost ya
Could run very well for myself. Late 20s computer field engineer. Take a lot of miles up every year, motorways and b roads, northern ireland has some great and some equally terrible roads. Could be nice depending on the ride.
Then what’s the point??? X1- small least practical X3- pretty practical X5- practical with luxury X7- Everything above !! If the X1,X3,X5 and X7 was big and everything what’s the point??
@Gardas88 and how is it more functional than a 320xd? they said in the video that the 3 estate has more cargo room and a bigger cabin, and both can't go off road.
wait the orange is in the xLine right? that means 30890 base price + 1900 then you dont have any options? anyway enough with the technical details. i just ordered mine yesterday too, and im wondering why didnt i get the sales and purchase agreement? did you get this paper when placing the 1K USD deposit? thanks. pls reply :)
yeah i don't get what's his problem.. im a VW owner so i should by nature dislike these but i like them - and the interior, atleast the dash ir very good and premium looking... especially like the brown color ones, what this guy arrived for the review in a maserati?
@doomalz3eem: I do not know about the GX engine to cmpare, but the 3litre BMW straight-six is a gem. Great engine, revs and pulls from 1.000rpm, all up to the readine withouth hesitation. Suits the car perfectly....and has a great sound! Dunno about cost...I live in Greece and cars here are quite expensive.
I'm not talking about really old person more like 50+. But I also see and have seen a lot of 65+ driving around in SUVs like RAV4, Kuga, X3, X-Trails and even some in M-Classes. But you are right I hardly see elderly person in Defender, Range Rovers, Landcruiser and this kind of 4x4s, but I would never compare a X1 with this cars. And if you compare a 3series with a X1 in terms of Fuel consumption its only a difference of around 3% to 4%
In thailand this car is quite good value, starting at under 2m baht, new so I'm thinking to get one. The size is ok cos Thais are not big :) The car is partly built in India and I agree that close up the interior doesn't look as good quality as a 3 series. That is a big concern.
Hi southernman517, thanks for reply, my dealer did not gave me the SAP agreement paper, which really confused me, (I wonder if the dealer take my deposit without any allocation available left?) He also did not gave me the production # and/or VIN # (ordered last Friday). But we did sign on a configuration paper with its discounted price,etc. what should i do??
I drove X1 and was disappointed by the engine (vibrations) and harsh ride. Interior should also be better (although this is true of all BMWs compared to Audi). However, I was impressed with handling of the car. One note on slipping and sliding: that is due ONLY due to the tires (performance tires in winter?). xDrive is one of the best awd systems around and BMW's safety electronics are surely top notch! With same tires I would prefer X1 to Freelander on snowy roads!
I have to agree with this review - my father just bought one and I'm very underwhelmed. It's cheap and cramped inside and it's too low for a crossover. I also like this guys review style - it's the type that a non car person could enjoy and benefit from without getting bored of car chat.
7 years later....BMW Execs are laughing their pants off at the fact the X1 was a huge success, with an even more credible successor. Also remains one of the only keen driving small off roaders out there...
Correct! Ended up an absolutely HUGE success story that was capitlaized on by the F48 which makes this guys review fall flat on the face of what the X1 has become!
Who at fifth gear hired this guy? hes the reason i watch top gear instead. The interior actually won many awards, the X1 is better then a Tiguan, drives like a BMW, looks pretty good next to their X3.
Surely an older person would struggle more to into a car thats a bit higher? I dont think i have ever seen an elderly person driving a 4x4 and a 3Series diesel is more economical than this.
Over all for being a BMW its not all that impressive however I would have to disagree with the reviewer above, I think in terms of styling and design the X1 was well executed, it has a very sheek and upscale design, and god knows its better looking then BMW X3's horrid square clunky design. Not even the new design of the X3 does it for me. Over all had this X1 used the X3 platform with the X3's space but with the X1 design, it would have been an amazing car. I dont mind it but its not to die for
@markusei23 The thing is, if Top Gear were to do this today you guys probably wouldn't dislike this video. A lot of what Top Gear does isn't at all professional too! Don't get me wrong, I love Top Gear and haven't missed a single episode of it. But I also hope for ppl to cut Fifth gear some slack. Though I must agree with you that, this guy isn't at likeable as any of the Top Gear presenters.
um i think her in USA we don't need BMW'S to do such specific things... most of us drive BMW'S to get to point a to point b....style and practicality are bonuses if u choose the right one...that being said they should bring the X1 to the US ALREADY!
@MrMockeryMcFly Actually I did watch that video and it only confirmed my suspicions. That course was far from extreme and even that 4wd version was scrambling about precariously and looked seriously out of its depth. True, most X1s will never be taken further off road than up the curb onto their owners driveway. But I'd put money on it that any quattro audi or 3 Series ix would be just and capable on snow. Making it a pointless gimmick car. Like most vehicles of this type.
the review is a little stupid but at least he's trying to do something different. and showing the interests of different buyers is not a totally useless analysis
God this is awful... I was watching the video before looking at the comments, and I felt angry and bored. After scrolling down im happy to see I'm not the only one ! Go TG, fuck this crap
Watching this the day before I pick up my X1. The reviewer not liking it actually helps me because of how awful he is at reviewing. His opinion is therefore meaningless.
BMW make some great cars, but this is not one of them. I question the recent 'crossover' fad that Subaru already has cornered and has a lot of experience making (Forester, Legacy or the 'outback' series as they are called in the U.S.). For the most part, I think Mitsubishi (Outlander) and BMW (X1) really need to concentrate on what they make well - not try to second guess market trends. The Crossover cars are not going to become the next SUVs - and those SUVs are awful for the most part.
X1 is probably for those people who live in Downtown, and don't have a family. Looks cramped, which isn't good ! I would just buy a X5 and call it a day !
Oh yeah, the volkswagen tiguan has a really good interior (rolls eyes) and what? the peugeot 3008? are they blind? how is that better looking then the x1? and I have not even got to the driving dynamics....
Only available with diesel engines? Not good. They should at least give the customer a choice by having an entry level 1.6 petrol to a top of the range six cylinder 3.0 petrol with a few diesels in between for those that prefer them. I like BMWs, but wouldn't buy an X1.
This is a RWD car with no better ground clearance than a Ford Focus. How far off road can you go with that? If that's your car, you can take it anywhere you wanna go. Duh.
@wideopen704 Whats wrong with interior? Hmm...maybe the fact that 80% of plastic you see is cheap and hard to touch, worse than in 1 series. As he said, its noisy, uncomfortable, has no room inside, isnt very pretty... this car makes no sense because its fails as a SUV and it fails as a cross-over. If you want a sporty car, you will buy a 3 series which costs less and offers better quality, comfort, more room inside and is better to drive. If you want SUV, buy X3 or X5. X1 is a wannabe SUV.
Somehow this video reminds me why I follow Top Gear instead. Sure, Tiff, Jason, Vicky and Jonny know how to present cars, but features like this ruin the entire image of the show. Graham, you should stick to the office and leave the proper work to the pros.
I really wanted to see the X1 review...but can´t understand how Fifth Gear manages to get the most pompous and obnoxiuous presenters available (with the exception of Tiff). I am going somewhere else for a review.
