It's been a while since BMW introduced the X1 in the US, thus making the crossover the cheapest model in their line-up. Furthermore, the X1 is the only almost SUV-like vehicle you can still order with hydraulic steering and rear-wheel-drive.
The guys from The Truth About Cars took one of these beauties for a spin before the hydraulic steering models went extinct and they were impressed.
The X1 is actually the only car in the so-called crossover segment that really acts like one. You can definitely see the stretched body of an 1 Series put on top of a raised chassis that kind-of transcends into the SUV range.
Furthermore, the engine (2-liter turbocharged unit with 240 HP in this case) is perfect for the car that is even lighter than the F20 1 Series 128i that comes with a 3-liter 6-cylinder engine under its bonnet.
Going down the road, the suspension will make you feel good, especially on winding roads. Since the chassis is based on the E90 3 Series, this comes as no surprise. However, the X1 is taller and might've turned problematic easily but it's not the case. The guys even said it reminded them of the X6 M.
Bottom line, the X1 is a great car. According to TTAC, it might even be the winner of the title for the best fun/dollar ratio of any modern BMW, especially in the form of the $33,800 (€25,000) X1 sDrive28i M Sport trim.
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