BMW's all-new X1 is a pint-sized crossover with a sophisticated interior and performance chops, says Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey. This subcompact crossover can pull family duty. It worked well for Sara and her 8- and 10-year-olds, but families with kids in rear-facing child-safety seats will want to make sure the X1 has enough room in the backseat. The cargo area is small but functional, though a large jogging stroller could be a tough fit.
It has been over a decade since the BMW X5, Cadillac Escalade, Acura MDX and others took the luxury segment by storm. Over time, many may have forgotten what kind of
impact this new group of vehicles made on their companies' bottom lines, but they — along with smaller crossovers — still play a major role in the market.
Like NFL fans who didn't fully realize what they were missing until replacement referees embarrassed the league, Infiniti dealers weren't completely aware of how successful a proper crossover could be until the JX arrived. Sales of the two-row, overtly sporty FX had fallen every year since 2004. The big QX, though surprisingly successful, competes in a lower-volume sector. In September, the JX made up 24% of all Infiniti sales. Although the JX, now the brand's best-selling utility vehicle, has been on sale only since March, Infiniti's four SUVs and crossovers have been responsible for 39% of the brand's 86,596 sales in 2012. In 2002, Infiniti sold one SUV; it accounted for 19% of the brand's total volume.
What kind of impact does that have on a brand? Total Infiniti car sales for 2012 are up just 2.5%; its "trucks" leapt up 63.6%. The brand overall for 2012 is up 20%.
BMW announced today that it plans to sell a skier-oriented version of the BMW X1. The compact crossover, called the X1 Powder Ride Edition, will show up at dealers next month, and it will only be on sale through the winter. The Powder Ride Edition will make its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, along with two other BMW X1 concepts.
The BMW X1 Powder Ride Edition will feature unique equipment installed by ski manufacturer K2.
The 2013 BMW X1 crossover is rated at 24/34/28 mpg city/highway/combined, according to the EPA.
That compares favorably to the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, which gets 18/28 mpg. More small luxury crossovers from Lexus, Audi and Lincoln will be arriving on the scene shortly.
That rating is for the sDrive28i, which is rear-wheel drive only. The all-wheel-drive xDrive28i also gets a good rating of 22/33/26 mpg.
The sDrive28i and xDrive28i come equipped with a 241-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with start-stop technology. There’s also a 300-hp, 3.0-liter inline-six mated to a six-speed automatic transmission on the xDrive35i, which is rated at 18/27/21 mpg. All three models require premium gasoline, according to the EPA.
The X1 is on sale now with a starting price of $31,545. The X1 xDrive28i starts at $33,245, and the X1 xDrive35i starts at $39,345. All prices include a $895 destination fee.
Related
2013
BMW X1 Starts at $30,650
BMW X1:
First Look
2013
BMW X1: Up Close
BMW's newest crossover is also its smallest, and its compact dimensions make it look a little like a small hatchback, especially from the rear. One of BMW's traditional design cues — the twin-kidney grille — seems exaggerated on such a small front end.
More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage
One advantage of the X1's lower stance is the step-in height is also low, which makes it easy to get in the front or rear passenger compartment. BMW says the X1's interior was refined for its U.S. debut — it's already on sale in other markets — with more polished controls and high-quality touch points.
The BMW X1 has been on sale in Europe for a couple of years, and it will come to the U.S. this fall. The small crossover offers a unique blend of interior room, style and, surprisingly for a BMW, affordability, says Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. Although the interior gets higher-quality materials for the U.S. model, it doesn’t feel as luxurious inside, Hanley says.
When BMW's tiniest crossover hits U.S. shores later this year, it will have a base price just below $30,000. Unveiled at the 2012 New York International Auto Show today, the premium compact BMW X1 will slot below the X3 in the automaker's lineup.
More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage
The X1 has been on sale for years in Europe; it gets updated for its U.S. introduction and it will arrive in dealerships this fall. Two models will be available: all-wheel drive xDrive35i versions will use a 3.0-liter 300-horsepower twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder and rear-wheel drive sDrive28i and all-wheel drive xDrive28i models get a 2.0-liter 240-hp twin-turbocharged four-cylinder. The latter engine features stop/start and regenerative braking systems to optimize fuel economy. EPA numbers haven’t been announced yet.
The sDrive28i and xDrive35i will be offered exclusively in the U.S. market. The BMW X1 sDrive28i starts at $31,545, the X1 xDrive28i at $33,245 and the X1 xDrive35i at $39,345. All prices exclude an $895 destination fee.
Five new or updated BMW vehicles will be unveiled at the 2012 New York International Auto Show next month. Making their world debuts are the M6 convertible and X1 compact crossover. The X6 M and M6 coupe will make their North American debut, and they will share the stage with the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, which was unveiled earlier this month at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida.
The high-performance M versions of the 6 Series coupe and convertible return to the lineup after a two-year break. Power for the duo comes from a 560-horsepower, twin-turbo V-8 paired with a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.
The X1 will slot below the X3 in BMW's lineup and will go on sale in the U.S. this summer. It will use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Updated for model-year 2013 is the X6 M, bringing it in line with the updates the regular M got for 2013.
We'll have more info next month at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.
Automakers, it seems, are beginning to forsake performance over added efficiency. The most recent example is BMW, which announced the return of its first four-cylinder powertrain since 1997. This one, however, sounds promising.
The new inline-four-cylinder will combine twin-scroll turbocharging, direct injection and BMW’s proprietary variable valve timing system known as Valvetronic. The 2.0-liter motor will produce 240 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque in U.S. variants. That’s more power than BMW’s normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder, which is found on the current 3 Series, and the 2.0-liter turbo from Audi, which puts out 211 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque.
While BMW won’t comment on which vehicles will get the engine, we’ll take a wild guess and say the 1 and 3 Series are prime candidates along with the small X1 when it debuts in the U.S. BMW’s move is probably in response to Mercedes-Benz’s recently introduced 201-hp four-cylinder found in the 2012 SLK roadster and C-Class.
Audi’s A4 has consistently offered a four-cylinder option since 1997. The BMW engine will arrive in select models later in 2011.
Subscribe to our feed
Email us your tips!