2011 BMW X1 xDrive28i Test Drive

The 2011 BMW X1 was taken for a test drive by the German magazine, BimmerToday.

The first relevant question to ask was if the 2011 BMW X1 really falls into the Sports Activity Vehicle category. They found out that the vehicle seemed to work best on asphalt, and not on more difficult roads. The thing that makes the vehicle feel sporty is the optional Performance Control.

BimmerToday was not a fan of the 6 speed automatic transmission controlled via the paddle shifters placed on the steering wheel because it loses the sense of driving pleasure, especially those who are fans of manual transmission. This 6 speed automatic transmission is the source of their criticisms about the 2011 BMW X1. The interior, according to them, was also not stunning yet very practical and comfortable for daily driving use. Here is the verdict:

In summary the BMW X1 is a nice ride that could convince us to buy it for several reasons: it offers enough space for almost every day use, and provides superb driving dynamics for a car this size. The fuel consumption is good as well – in relation to the engine performance.

Price wise, if you order some of the many options available, you can easily pass the 50.000 euros mark for the X1 xDrive28i model. But unfortunately, the interior quality cannot satisfy the expectations that come with such a pricetag.  The engine and drivetrain compensate for this shortcoming, and the driver is awarded a very fast response and a nice sound. Obviously, the response depends on the setting of the automatic gearbox, as long as you don’t surprise it with sudden kickdowns and choose the correct gear via the paddels before the acceleration, everything is perfect.

Source: BimmerToday