BMW X1 DEFIES ALL EXPECTATIONS
Story by Dwain Hebda // Photography Courtesy of Onyx Automotive
In a world where so many products fall short of the hype, it’s nice to know there are still some pleasant surprises out there. Exhibit A—the BMW X1, which runs contrary to nearly every expectation one can have.
Vehicles this small aren’t supposed to pack the power the X1 does, nor are they supposed to offer such a robust suite of onboard electronics and technology. And while no BMW will ever be mistaken for a starter vehicle, the price tag of the X1 will make many people do a double take—in a good way.
Dillon Johnson, Sales Manager at ONYX Automotive, said the combination of features, performance, and price have spurred the popularity of the sporty model.
“The X1 is going to be our smallest SUV offering. It’s going to be a size down from our midsize SUV, which is our X3,” he said. “Yet, it still gives our customers that nice sporty, sleek design look while still getting a good amount of space for their daily life needs. It’s been a really hot vehicle for us since it came out. The few that we’ve gotten have come and gone almost as fast as we got them. It’s a great all-around vehicle.”
The base xDrive28i model boasts a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 241 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, standard. An optional M Sport package boosts performance and handling via an adaptive suspension system and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
However, upgrade to the M35i, and you get a 312-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, adaptive suspension, and upgraded brakes, harnessing all the brawn BMW engineers are known for in a tidy petite package.
“The one thing with BMW is it’s a very driver-focused vehicle,” Johnson said. “That’s really what puts us ahead of everybody else. The X1 is nimble—it’s a lot easier to swallow up the curves; get in and out of parking spaces. They’ve also redone the suspension. It’s a lot smoother. You’re going to have a lot less body roll, but it also makes it a very fun and sporty drive.”
The auto press has raved about the sportiness and feel of the X1, which will appeal to motorists, be they new or familiar with BMW products. The range of color options also speaks to those with an adventurous spirit at any age.
“I think what they’ve done that’s really cool, is they have a design offering where you can get more of a luxury look, while still having sporty lines on the vehicle,” Johnson said.
“It’s a vehicle that gives you the opportunity to express some personality. You also have the option of an X1 M35i, which is going to be a little bit more souped-up engine, little sportier seats, and a sportier appearance.
“It’s different; it’s brand new. BMW is more cutting-edge with their new headlights, tail lights, and interior lights. It’s a great everyday vehicle. It’s comfortable. It can be fun and sporty when you want it to be and it can be tame when you need to use it for your grocery run.”
Inside, the driver is surrounded by technology, starting with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch central information display, providing touch-centric control. An available Live Cockpit Professional system delivers a head-up display and video augmented reality technology console. In addition, the X1 comes standard with active blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation that activates brake intervention at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
“On the interior, they put in the new iDrive 8 system, which is going to have the nice, curved display that goes almost all the way across that dashboard,” Johnson said. “For the audiophile, you have the Harman Kardon system that’s available in the premium package. They’ve gone so far as adding a semi-active massaging seat.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the price—the entry X1 starts below $40,000, Johnson said, while the beefier M35i is about $50,000 before add-ons, which is more than competitive with other brands and provides a ready entry point for newcomers to get into their first BMW.
“There’s definitely a market out there for that size of a vehicle. We’ve had two employees pick them up right away, both of them being new to BMW, but who love being around them,” Johnson said. “We’ve had some people that have been new to the brand until they saw that X1 come in. We have had some returning customers, too, that opted to go with the X1, so it’s really been a good spread of customers we’re seeing come into the brand.
“There are a lot of people that want to drive the brand but don’t want to pay $120,000 for a 7 series. The X1 really opens the door for people who are looking to get into BMW, because it’s priced to be within an affordable budget. I think they’ve done a really good job of covering the full spectrum of customers.”
— DILLON JOHNSON
For more information, visit onyxautomotive.com.
