The BMW X1 doesn't look like a hell of car at first. Actually, some people might say it's ugly, a shorter version of the X3 and that is has absolutely no purpose. But they'd all be wrong.
Sure, it may not be the best looking car in the current BMW line-up (that is going to the M6 Gran Coupe, for sure) but once you get inside that car and use it for a while, you'll wonder why is it the cheapest BMW in the US at the moment.
That's what got the guys from BimmerFile intrigued too so they took one for a proper test drive, for a week. At the end of those 7 days, they simply fell in love with it, fact that was completely unexpected.
In size, the X1 is almost just as big as the F31 3 Series Touring but a bit taller, as expected. Driving it feels like a 1 Series (it is based on that model too) and living with it feels like an X5 so it's pretty hard to justify the extra $10,000 you'd have to pay for the 3 Series.
Furthermore, the X1 offers more engines and transmission options that the Sport Wagon that is currently available only as either a 328d or 328i. The latter uses the exact same engine as the X1.
It has a 2-liter, turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 245 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque when hooked up to the 8-speed automatic transmission. The X1 can also be ordered with rear wheel drive, something you won't find on the 3 Series Wagon.
Another couple of interesting reasons to say this car is absolutely perfect include the price range (with options) and the driving feel but we'll let you find out about them in the video below.
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