2013 BMW X1 xDrive28i Test Drive and Review

Sport utility vehicles and crossovers once seemed destined for endless supersizing, but a funny thing happened on the way to five-buck-a-gallon gas: those big ol’ SUVs started downsizing. Enter late 2012, and the contraction has reached new lows—or highs, depending on your perspective.
BMW’s fresh-for-2013 X1 joins their stable of sport utes and starts anywhere between $30,650 and $38,450, with a 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty, and EPA ratings between 18/27 mpg and 24/34 mpg. Is this pint-sized five door a welcome addition to the SUV universe, or a needlessly shrunken crossover?
To find out, let’s drive.

While it bears just a passing resemblance to BMW’s 1-series, the X1’s underpinnings are plucked straight from the sedan and convertible’s diminutive platform. Under the hood is the choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque (in the rear-drive sDrive28i and all wheel-drive xDrive28i), or a 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder (in the xDrive35i) which churns an even 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Incidentally, the sDrive model is the first BMW SUV that offers two wheel-drive. The six-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the four-cylinder benefits from an 8-speed auto.
The X1 wears a hunchbacked, SUV-like profile, but its interior capacity isn’t quite the stuff of voluminous excess, with rear perches positioned a bit too forward for most normally sized adults. For a little perspective, when my 14 month-old was seated in his forward-facing kid seat in the second row, he developed a habit of pressing his tiny feet against the passenger seat in front of him—and needless to say, third row seating is not an option in this compact crossover, as the small sized cargo area barely offers enough space for a generous load of groceries.

In the Driver’s Seat

Despite its limited cargo hauling capacities, my xDrive28i tester’s front seats offered a spacious perspective on the road that belied the tight quarters behind. With 55 inches across and 41.3 inches from seat to roof, the X1 essentially matches the 3-series in interior width, and adds an inch of headroom.
My loaner’s cabin was finished in attractive “Fineline Bay” matte wood trim ($500), with goodies like a panoramic moonroof, power seats, and lumbar support attached to the so-called, $6,650 Ultimate Package. On top of the XLine’s $1,900 package (which includes 18-inch alloy wheels), leather seats with piping are included for an additional $1,450. Though it seems counterintuitive that a luxury crossover requires an added premium for real leather seats, at least the X1’s hide covered thrones feel appropriately tony. And though I live in sunny southern California, cooler temps made the $700 cold weather package a welcome addition, thanks to its heated steering wheel and seats. I know, I’m spoiled… but for the most important perspective on the BMW xDrive28i, nothing let’s hit the road.

On the Road

BMW’s sedans have been accused of losing their performance edge and driving dynamic feel lately, but the X1 dodges that bullet with its blend of satisfying feedback, glued-down handling, and involving levels of feedback. Whether due to the buttoned-down underpinnings from the 1-series, the incorporation of hydraulic steering (unlike most other Bimmers, which feature more fuel efficient electric setups), or its lighter weight (X1s weigh as little as 3,527 lbs), this compact crossover proved surprisingly grippy and responsive when I flung it across the winding Mulholland Drive in the hills overlooking Los Angeles.
Though it’s not exactly a torque monster at lower speeds, the 240 horsepower 4-cylinder pulls eagerly once past the 2,000 rpm mark, revving aggressively and shifting quickly thanks to the 8-speed transmission, which plays rather nicely with the engine’s power curve. One of my few complaints about the drivetrain is the fact that the transmission’s “Sport” mode revs a bit too high; rather than run all the up to redline under medium/high throttle input, slightly earlier shifts would make spirited drives less frenetic.
During more sedate driving, the X1’s firm-ish but generally accommodating ride makes it easy to live with on long commutes, and the “Eco Pro” setting sacrifices engine punchiness for increased efficiency that can be gauged with a ‘mileage gained’ indicator on the dash, as a reward for putting up with the neutered engine output. For the record, our fuel economy hovered around 23 mpg during mixed (and mostly aggressive) driving, a perfectly respectable figure considering my relentlessly heavy foot.

Journey’s End

BMW purists protested when the X5 debuted in 1999, but the sport ute successfully pushed past the resistance of enthusiasts and created a lucrative market for aficionados of the Bavarian brand. If that sounds familiar, it should: notoriously fussy Porsche fanatics went through a similar phase, kicking and screaming before they finally accepted that their beloved manufacturer could sell the Cayenne SUV alongside its punchy sports cars.
If anything, the X1 encourages fans to more fully embrace the idea of a crossover; though it sacrifices some utility in the name of sport, my xDrive28i tester proved surprisingly fun to drive for a week. In fact, my few gripes pertained to the X1’s styling and its high sticker price. My thoughts on the first topic are subjective, and therefore less critical than the latter, which was triggered by a stratospheric “as-tested” MSRP of $45,595.
Apart from a nasty case of sticker shock for a base engine car, the X1 feels like a step in the right direction for BMW, even if its extreme downsizing sacrifices storage capacity. And besides, with a larger X3, X5, and X6 also available, BMW proves they offer something for almost everyone in the sport utility market, save a plus-sized Audi Q7 or Mercedes-Benz GL competitor. They don’t come cheap, but for deep-pocketed German car lovers seeking to break the dime-a-dozen Japanese mold, the X1 delivers an intriguing combination of luxurious accommodations and rewarding driving dynamics.