[Tjalle]

X1 has been awarded Best Subcompact SUV 2017 by Car&Driver.

Generally good remarks for handling and interior roominess in other evaluations.

Personally, I am a bit worried about the 8-speed Aisin AUTO not being on par with superb AUTO from ZF.

I will await hybrid version of X2 with electric RWD and 2:d gen X4 before making a decision.

[plymjack]

Im waiting on the hybrid X3 - that should be something special....

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

X1 has been awarded Best Subcompact SUV 2017 by Car&Driver.

Generally good remarks for handling and interior roominess in other evaluations.

Personally, I am a bit worried about the 8-speed Aisin AUTO not being on par with superb AUTO from ZF.

I will await hybrid version of X2 with electric RWD and 2:d gen X4 before making a decision.

I have read all the reviews on the X1 and the car is a totally different animal and does not compare to an SUV. It is a Subcompact SUV that is as much a crossover as anything else.

North Oxford BMW had the X1 and X3 sitting end to end in the showroom so that clients could make a comparison. In my view it is a raised hatchback on steroids. It does not mean I would not entertain purchasing one, but I will wait for the new X3 before committing myself.

[Tjalle]

plymjack, problem with X3, from a hybrid point of view, is RWD, i.e. BMW will - as has been previously demonstrated -probably use ZF solution with integrated electric motor in AUTO. No fun - just economic.

The beauty with e-AWD is that e has no delay (engine 50-80 ms delay), which means that in "right circumstances" e.g. ice, rear will start to drift and 50 ms later engine will kick in and counteract slide . I tested this 16 years ago in a demonstrator.

[nyalpine90]

The new x1 has been refined in every way, exterior and interior. I do like the ambient lighting similar to X5, which new x3 n x4 dont have.
Pano sunroof is quiet compare to the X3.
its response well when you step on it

[MichiganMike]

I drove a new X1 as a loaner while my X3 was in for service. I was very happy to return the X1 and get my X3 back.

IMHO, my X3 35i performs much better and is more comfortable than the X1, as one might expect given the price difference. The X1 is a MINI under the skin and it shows. The X1 due to a more recent re-design has some updated design features, none of which mattered much to me.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

I drove a new X1 as a loaner while my X3 was in for service. I was very happy to return the X1 and get my X3 back.

IMHO, my X3 35i performs much better and is more comfortable than the X1, as one might expect given the price difference. The X1 is a MINI under the skin and it shows. The X1 due to a more recent re-design has some updated design features, none of which mattered much to me.

I did not drive one, but their are several disadvantages as compared to the X3. Firstly as you say, it is a MINI underneath. I found the seating position is quite a bit lower and the seats themselves are not up to the standard I expected. They were very similar (thinner is my best description) if not the same as in the newer 2 series people carrier that uses the same platform that a neighbour has.

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by plymjack

Im waiting on the hybrid X3 - that should be something special....

I am waiting for the BEV X3. That will be special. Hopefully will be released in 2021 when I am up for a new car.

[nyalpine90]

theres no point in comparing x1 to x3 lol

2 different animals, same way you cant compare x3 to x5.

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

theres no point in comparing x1 to x3 lol

2 different animals, same way you cant compare x3 to x5.

I second both those points. I've driven all three and there are clear differences between them. The X1 is not an X3 substitute and the X3 is not a substitute for the X5.

[brissim]

There's been a few threads about the X1 vs X3. We seriously looked at the X1 about this time last year as a possible replacement for our then 4.5 year old X3. And on paper it ticks many boxes. Its very well packaged with even more rear seat legroom than the X3, a large boot for its size (not far short of the X3) complete with a below-floor storage space for a space-saver spare tyre.

But its when you look in more detail and take the X1 for a test drive that a fair bit of the gloss wears off very quickly. Certainly the X1s we sampled were nosier than the X3 with unsettled suspension (I've subsequently read that BMW may have already addressed those issues). But its also the cheap feel of the car - from the old transmission, the business-level navigation system (no Professional option), no auto-hold on the electronic parking brake, no iDrive 5.0 or CarPlay for 2017 models. For us it was a no-brainer to stay with our X3.

However, in saying all this, for the market segment it competes in (compact luxury SUV) it does deserve the recognition it is receiving.

Tony

[Tjalle]

Thanks Tony - good review.

I am more sensitive to steering precision and engine/transmission, than interior class and navigation, so I will still have a look/testdrive on X2 e-AWD, when it arrives in 3-4 years.

"one can't compare X1 to X3" - that was not the ambition - there could be one or two, who are willing to downgrade slightly to save a shilling or two.

"it is a MINI underneath" - yes and since MINI is developed in the UK, by Ricardo, it has very good handling.

[bjp1979]

I looked at an X1 before I decided on the X3. To correct something in the review above, there is an option to upgrade to professional on the sat nav... it's a 1700 option and is bundled in with heads up display.

I was quite shocked that the X1 had an electronic handbrake but no auto hold function. Having had this in the VW Golf Mk7 for 3 years it's something I wanted in my next car and I think BMW have missed a trick here. That's another reason why I went for the X3, which I got a great December deal on (11.5% off the price) due to time of year/new model due out next year

[SimplySpoons]

Originally Posted by brissim

There's been a few threads about the X1 vs X3. We seriously looked at the X1 about this time last year as a possible replacement for our then 4.5 year old X3. And on paper it ticks many boxes. Its very well packaged with even more rear seat legroom than the X3, a large boot for its size (not far short of the X3) complete with a below-floor storage space for a space-saver spare tyre.

But its when you look in more detail and take the X1 for a test drive that a fair bit of the gloss wears off very quickly. Certainly the X1s we sampled were nosier than the X3 with unsettled suspension (I've subsequently read that BMW may have already addressed those issues). But its also the cheap feel of the car - from the old transmission, the business-level navigation system (no Professional option), no auto-hold on the electronic parking brake, no iDrive 5.0 or CarPlay for 2017 models. For us it was a no-brainer to stay with our X3.

However, in saying all this, for the market segment it competes in (compact luxury SUV) it does deserve the recognition it is receiving.

Tony

When I test drove an X1 before I bought my X3, I felt the same way. I was originally going to get an X1, and just scheduled an X3 test drive for fun, because the monthly payment increase for an X3 wasn't that much. I drove the X3 first and loved it. When I drove the X1, the overall interior and drive quality of the car felt cheaper in comparison (that's probably due to the car actually costing less money hahaha.) The engine didn't feel as peppy, and the suspension wasn't as forgiving with small bumps in the road. Although, I did like how the X1 had the updated Ambient Lighting system (similar to the X5's,) whereas the X3 doesn't

Like you said, I don't believe the X1 was intended to compete within the SUV market. I'd consider the X1 to be more comparable to a Subaru Crosstrek as far as practicality and styling goes, although the X1 is definitely much much nicer

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by brissim

Certainly the X1s we sampled were nosier than the X3 with unsettled suspension.

Originally Posted by SimplySpoons

peppy, and the suspension wasn't as forgiving with small bumps in the road.

This is a very typical of cheaper "SUVs".

A common logic is why buy an X5 when you can buy an X1 or a Japanese SUV at a third of the price. It's a big fallacy as the ride as big cheaper SUVs look cushy but in fact, they lack ride refinement and premium comfort.

I have driven the Kia Sorento, Nissan Qashqai and X1 and neither is any better than a hatchback at absorbing bumps or travelling over uneven roads gracefully.

This is not a bashing of cheaper SUVs because I can see the reason why they are popular as desirable SUVs like the Q7 and Range Rover Sport are stupendously expensive. Even the X5 would have stretched my budget too far.

[nyalpine90]

every model, 3er, 5er, 6er and each X series is at a budget for individual needs.
No need for bashing.

Same thing can be said about those that drive x6/x5, that x3's lacks performance and cheap interior lol

i have owned E83, E90, 2 f25, and my current F26, the drive experience is all different.

but if i could stretch my budget i would be in x6 50i or x6m.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

every model, 3er, 5er, 6er and each X series is at a budget for individual needs.
No need for bashing.

Same thing can be said about those that drive x6/x5, that x3's lacks performance and cheap interior lol

i have owned E83, E90, 2 f25, and my current F26, the drive experience is all different.

but if i could stretch my budget i would be in x6 50i or x6m.

Make sure you get 2018 X3M lol or 2019 X4M, if not def X5M/X6M over the 50i

[dreaming440i]

Originally Posted by brissim

There's been a few threads about the X1 vs X3. We seriously looked at the X1 about this time last year as a possible replacement for our then 4.5 year old X3. And on paper it ticks many boxes. Its very well packaged with even more rear seat legroom than the X3, a large boot for its size (not far short of the X3) complete with a below-floor storage space for a space-saver spare tyre.

But its when you look in more detail and take the X1 for a test drive that a fair bit of the gloss wears off very quickly. Certainly the X1s we sampled were nosier than the X3 with unsettled suspension (I've subsequently read that BMW may have already addressed those issues). But its also the cheap feel of the car - from the old transmission, the business-level navigation system (no Professional option), no auto-hold on the electronic parking brake, no iDrive 5.0 or CarPlay for 2017 models. For us it was a no-brainer to stay with our X3.

However, in saying all this, for the market segment it competes in (compact luxury SUV) it does deserve the recognition it is receiving.

Tony

I had an X1 loaner for 3 days. My experience is exactly as above. It is not as refined as the X3. As noted, the older transmission and the fact that it is a transverse FWD converted to AWD give a very different behavior when pushing the car beyond normal driving. I can feel the FWD subframe and the various motor/transmission mounts flexing when dealing with bumps when accelerating or turning briskly. And the older transmission is not nearly as smooth or intelligent. It also feels as if the engine is detuned relative to the X3, which is not unusual in a transverse layout, which has more problems handling torque in a stable manner. My "butt" yaw sensor also felt like the Xdrive was not auto-compensating for understeer the way the X3 does, which is a feature dear to my heart!

That said, in its class it is one of the best handling and best balanced of the crossover mini-utes. Just don't compare it to the X3/Q5 class vehicles.

[exon]

Originally Posted by FSociety

Make sure you get 2018 X3M lol or 2019 X4M, if not def X5M/X6M over the 50i

What, I test drove the X5 50i and that thing has so much power (that i can't really use on most driving conditions) and the active anti-rollbar was awesome. Only negative were the lag at low speed and steering felt a bit lifeless.

Personally I would choose a X5 50i over a X3M, if they are at the same price... can't resist that V8.