BMW X1 xDrive 23d 2010 Review

RRP: $59,280 (manufacturer's list price, excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery)
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic paint ($1700), 18-inch Y-spoke alloys ($2000), rear view camera ($900), electric seat adjustment with memory for driver ($2900), bi-xenon headlights with wash function ($2050), voice control ($700), Performance Control ($400), panorama glass sunroof ($3000), HiFi loudspeaker system ($1100), interior package ($2340), sat nav Professional ($4500), phew!
Crash rating: 5 stars (EuroNCAP)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.3
CO2 emissions (g/km): 167
Also consider: Volkswagen Tiguan 103 TDi, Peugeot 4007, Subaru Outback Diesel

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel:3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

About our ratings

Luxury brands including BMW have been late to the compact SUV game. It's the likes of Japanese manufacturers Subaru and Nissan who claim initiation of the high-ride compact wagon that has become so popular as a daily runabout. Which begs the question, what's been the hold up?

Mercedes-Benz's GLK isn't offered here and Audi hasn't yet confirmed arrival of the Q3. But BMW Australia has finally joined the compact SUV fray (or as it prefers, SAV -- for sports activity vehicle).

As the sole 'luxury' small softroader, it's a head-turner on our roads. It doesn't hurt that it's also arguably the best looking of its ilk. BMW-esque X-design in the slimmest, trimmest form...

We were looking forward to spending more time in BMW's baby softroader after sampling the diesel offerings at the local launch of the range, which starts at a little over $43K for the 2.0-litre petrol model and tops out with this: the hi-po turbodiesel xDrive 23d for nearly $60K.

The 23d's 2.0-litre diesel engine is strong off the line, has good in-gear urge and is super smooth at cruising speeds. But compared to, say, some French offerings we could mention, it's noisy, both at start-up and while up to temp tooling about town... BMW should have spent more time on sound-deadening for added cabin comfort.

On the cabin: it's a nice place to be with good seating for four, and generous legroom front and rear. Indeed, the space (leg and head) was a pleasant surprise considering the X1's compact segment calling.

Controls, instrumentation and fit are usual BMW: well laid out, driver focussed and clear. We'd normally add solid -- shame then that our test X1 shed its gearlever in the course of the seven-day test period.

Outward vision is good all around (even three-quarter rear), helped by large, squarish windows side and rear. The brand definitely knows how to create a good setting, even in its less luxury-focussed models.

Ride is along the lines of better C-SUVs and body roll is well contained. Its soft(ish) suspension set-up suits the X1's runabout role but its balance, front to rear, remains settled even if punted around. The odd hump here and there will remind you it's a high-riding wagon but generally, the X1 is a more agile and hence, as BMW claims, 'sporty' drive against rivals.

Steering response and feel resembles the brand's sedan offerings, helping to confirm why the premium is being asked. Turn-in is as sharp as any city car needs to be, and again, the good body control makes for a comfortable drive.

BMW's 'Performance Control' is a development using all-wheel drive, traction control and stability control systems to affect drive forces in order to reduce understeer. Applying it to a vehicle such as the xDrive 23d means the softroader's handling is even more 'car like' in feel and behaviour.

Over a week we managed 9.1L/100km which we figured was reasonable -- though not stunning for the new generation super frugal oilers. It probably could have been improved with less time stuck in traffic. That said even this more powerful diesel represents a frugal option compared to some petrol-engine models in the market. It's pity it's not equipped with a start/stop function.

For the fact the X1 is a better steer than most rivals, we agree it's worth the circa $60K start price. But the as-tested price of over $80K is excessive.

We'd keep the oddly named 'Performance Control' feature; be forced to wear the metallic paint premium for the lovely brown-toned duco as tested; must have the big Y-spoke alloys... but ditch the overpriced ($2900!) electric seat adjustment, voice control ($700: use your fingers) and high-end sat-nav ($4500: buy a Tom-Tom or clever phone). As for the interior package ($2340) -- that mainly consists of a few stripes across the seat squabs and 'special' dash trim which were barely noticeable.

More importantly, most of the extra price kit is something we'd expect as standard-fit from this brand. The $3000 glass roof, for example, is no better than Nissan's version for the Dualis Ti. The Ti upgrade earns the roof, bigger wheels, leather trim with front seat heating, climate control and so on... all for a $6900 premium over the standard variant.

For all its dynamic attractions we're finding it hard to get away from the sheer dollars the X1 will chew up. Yes, like many buyers we're comfortable with paying a premium for the brand, but that premium has to be reflected in more than just the badge.

If the idea was to offer a range of well-priced, useful prestige runabouts, then BMW's engineers have hit the mark... It's the accountants and product planners with which we take issue...

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