X Factor: BMW X1

MANILA, Philippines - At nearly four million a pop, the only thing that’s entry-level about the X1 is its status in the BMW hierarchy. Otherwise, any reasonably buyer can see that there are easily half a dozen larger, cheaper, roomier, maybe even faster options in the SUV market.

But that’s not the point. The point of an X1 is to have that air of exclusivity to go along with the typical BMW traits of mechanical precision and driving fun. And as fashion statements go, the X1 is a standout. Eschewing the aerodynamic trend, it has the familiar long hood-short deck proportions of a BMW coupled with scalloped flanks, a muscular shoulder line, and bulldog front end with the powerdome hood and twin kidney grille. It rather reminds me of an ornate double-barreled shotgun. Some people hate it, but most tend to love it as 4 days of city and highway driving proved.

With an inline-4 CRDi engine under the hood, the X1 has plenty of punch: 177 HP and 350 Newton-meters of torque, delivered to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic. But tapping into the power delivers mixed emotions. On the one hand, the car moves with the urgency of a rabid pitbull (BMW literature quotes a 0-100kph time of less than 8 seconds and a top speed of 220 kph).

On the other hand, it makes a fair share of racket. In fairness to BMW the latter probably owes more to the (low) quality of our diesel than its engineering prowess. The CRDi revs as quickly as any of BMW’s gasoline engines and exhibits very little shudder, just that the noise takes some getting used to if you’re coming from years of running on gasoline with BMW’s other cars. In which case, turn up the stereo volume, keep the pedal to the floor, and note that few SUVs (or SAV, or crossover, or whatever...) can cruise at nearly double the speed limit with the unflappable demeanor of the X1. I averaged between 9 and 10 kpl of city and highway driving, most of it done at a brisk pace. (Note: a gasoline engine option is available upon request)

High speed or low speed, straight or winding, the X1 is every inch a driving machine. It has the same laser-accurate steering as any of BMW’s sports sedans or coupes, the same perfectly-balanced chassis that makes it so fast and predictable in the curves, and the same aura of driving fun that turns a 400km round trip to Subic and back a joy rather than a pain in the back.

Of note is something that (thankfully) the X1 doesn’t quite share with the larger X3 and X5: the ride quality. Past experience with the two revealed that the sports-biased ride tended to feel choppy over anything less than smooth asphalt. In the X1, BMW engineers have apparently found the right compromise between ride comfort and performance. Despite its short wheelbase and low-profile tires, the X1 rides nearly as well as a more luxury-biased SUV but without sacrificing the nimble feel. The only downside with the tire choice is that on dirt roads it still feels a little too stiff, but otherwise this is a car you can drive everyday.

For better or for worse, the X1 exhibits a Spartan-like simplicity with its interior. The dashboard is low-slung and the cowl is low to give you a better view of the road ahead, and the window beltline is similarly low. The dashboard has only the bare minimum of buttons and switches for the stereo, climate control and electronic driving aids. The instrument panel uses traditional analog gauges, rendered in a pleasingly sharp font that reminds of a Swiss timepiece. Silver and aluminum trim pieces accent the otherwise somber black-and-gray color scheme of the cockpit. It kind of reminds me of the cockpit of an aerobatic plane.

The caramel colored leather upholstery and carpeting lighten up the cabin, although it will be a challenge keeping it in pristine condition if your active lifestyle involves mud, sand and grease. I know I had a time keeping my bike’s chain from soiling the headliner! If you’re into cycling, it’s best to equip this car with roof racks. You’ll keep the interior clean and preserve the limited cabin space for more cargo or passengers.

While we never got to use the back seat, it’s more of a 2-place area than a 3. Anyone who’s stuck in the middle must straddle the transmission tunnel and thus sit on a stiff, hump-like portion of the seat. In my case, I folded down the seatback to make room for one Time Trial bike, two wheelsets, four gym bags, six grocery bags, and one small cooler. The rear seat bottom is fixed (it doesn’t tumble forward), although the folded seatback combined with the rear cargo area still made for a flat load floor. To fit all my gear inside I had to remove both wheels from the bike and it upside down, securing it with bungee cords. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked well enough.

Thus equipped and configured, I and my wife had a great time with this Bimmer. It was a fast stealth ship on the highway, a willing dance partner in the hills, a reasonably spacious vehicle to boot, and it never failed to generate positive comments and double-takes from passersby. At P3.890M it commands a princely sum, but the well-heeled who’ll go with this BMW will likely make few complaints.

THE GOOD

• Sculpted good looks

• Precise driving dynamics

• Excellent ride

• Granite-stiff structure

• Punchy CRDi

THE BAD

• Distracting engine noise

• Steep price

• Not very roomy

THE VERDICT

• A driving machine for those who put a premium on style and driving fun.