X Factor makes the X1 Xeptional

Typical of most Beemers, the X1 is agile way beyond its looks.

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The X1 is a stubby creature, with an interior that is much too small to be anywhere close to a station-wagon. It's also too compact (particularly for backseat passengers) to compare it with people-carrying and highly capable soft-roaders such as the Peugeot 3008, the Nissan Qashqai or the Hyundai i35.

Nor is it a match for something like the Freelander or the Tucson.

It'll cost you a bit

It probably comes closest to being a high-riding crossover-hatchback with the kind of cute looks that will appeal more to the beauties than to the beasts.

And like smart handbags, classy shoes and step-out jeans, the X1 wears a premium price tag. Forget its unique looks, good handling, BMW badge and trendy newness - the bottom line is that it's expensive.

The entry level petrol derivative comes in at an already steep R335 500 and if you would like the snazzy flagship diesel such as our test car, the X1 xDrive 23d, you would need to write a cheque for R464 000 which puts it more than R100 000 ahead of classy crossover such as the flagship diesel Qashqai (which I tested recently and really enjoyed) and also quite a bit more than the Honda CR-V DTEC, the Tucson and others of this ilk.

There's no mistaking those looks.

And yes, it might be very, very different to most other vehicles on the road, but it's not a look that has universal appeal, as I found out recently when I spent a week with the X1. It looks strangely squashed (just a tad shorter than the X3), yet it is almost as low as a Toyota or a Golf, which again poses the questions: what exactly is it supposed to be?

BMW fancies itself as a trendsetter and in this instance it probably is ahead of the rest of the field again, because similar creations are on their way, sporting Land Rover LRX, Audi Q3 and MINI Crossman badges.

No mistaking it

In terms of overall looks there is no mistaken the X1's Beemer DNA, complete with contour lines, the shaped bonnet, the big, black front air intake, the double kidney grille (slightly squatter than normal to fit in with the compactness of the car), the sunken fog lights and the large colour-coded batwing mirrors.

Our test car was painted in a very attractive rusty, burgundy and cruised along on handsome (but optional, more expensive bigger 18 inch alloys) and it drew quite a bit of attention for its looks and obviously also because of its "newness."

Ample space...

Talking about wheels, the ride is particularly harsh, no doubt aggravated by the larger 18 inch rubber (standard size is 17-inchers), taut suspension, the thin low-profile tyres AND the one thing even dedicated Beemer owners tend to dislike intensely, run-flat tyres.

Just a note about those ghastly run-flats: a friend of mine recently had a blow-out in an X1 at Robertson and had to wait three days for someone to source a new tyre for him.... And you don't even want to know at what price!

Heavy steering, but agile

I found the ride jarringly hard. With a car in this price range one would certainly have expected a more cushioned, classier ride, certainly when travelling on tarmac...

And pity the smaller ladies who so love their SUV's and who will probably go weak at the knees at the cuteness of the X1, for this one is a blighter to squeeze into tight spots. The steering is really unpleasantly heavy at slow speeds, so parking becomes a real drag.

... Even for my board, dude.

But then to its credit and typical of most Beemers, the X1 is agile way beyond its looks. In spite of its boxy shape it handles really well and it clings with amazing tenacity.

Of all the SUV's I have ever driven the X1 is by far one of the best handlers.

As much as I dislike BMW's renowned iDrive brainbox which requires a degree in rocket science to change the radio from FM to AM or to adjust a simple setting, I enjoyed the BMW six-speed auto and paddle shift; quick, slick and perfectly matched to the four-cylinder direct injection engine which delivers a healthy 150kW and 400Nm to the right foot.

The X1 is quite enthusiastic off the mark and will do the 0-100km/h in about 8,21 seconds and trot on gamely to about 220km/h. What's more, if you drive it sensibly you should get about 8,1 litres per 100km.

Luxuries? A long list

Maybe it's just the diesel model, but I found the growling engine noise quite intrusive.

The cabin is typically BMW, a little austere, but nicely off-set by quite a few shiny metal bits.

In terms of luxuries the list is long and included amongst the nice to haves are a good sound system with MP3, electric windows and mirrors, fog lights, climate control, plus a host of safety features such as ABS, EBD, DSC and DTC.

Rather compact looks, aren't they.

Having said all of that, this strange looker has a certain magical appeal, like nearly all BMW's. But while dedicated lovers of the Blue Propeller will no doubt get all frothy about the X1, non BMW fans might take some persuasion to swop their Volkswagen Tiguans or Freelanders for this one.

Unless, of course, they are fairly enthusiastic drivers because this is one department where the X1 excels. The build quality is also good, right down to the comfortingly solid thud when you close its doors.

Sibling rivalry on the cards?

So, to summarise: the X1 is decidedly "different" in looks with a well built and classy interior but very tight backseat space, dynamically a pleasure to drive, well specced, although not quite as good as some others in this class, slightly growly engine and painfully pricey.

Certainly not a vehicle with universal appeal and let's not forget that its bigger brother X3, which has undergone a major make-over and rejuvenation is heading this way soon which means the X1 might well face some of its stiffest opposition from within its own family fold.

But meanwhile the X1 has enough X factor character and appeal to charm those who strive constantly to be ahead of the pack.

BMW X1 facts.

Top Gear on the X1

BMW X1

Fifth Gear on the BMW X1