Here’s an interesting automotive factoid as we gallop into 2024.
According to the number-crunchers at Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price of a new vehicle at the end of last year was $48,247. As in almost 50,000 bucks.
I don’t know why I presumed it would be less. Full disclosure here; it’s been a while since I went out and signed on the dotted line for a new car. A beigy-gold Camry LE for my mother-in-law in 2004, in case you’re wondering. $19,045 out the door.
Which makes the new BMW X1 xDrive28i I’ve been driving something of K-Mart Blue Light Special.
Here’s a nicely-equipped compact SUV, with turbo 2.0-liter power, all-wheel drive as standard, a sporty 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and that coveted BMW roundel on the hood. All for $40,095 including destination.
Even loaded to the roof rails, with a $4,200 Premium package and a must-have $2,300 M-Sport Package, our tester’s sticker topped out at precisely $48,195.
If my math is correct, that works out at $52 less than Kelley Blue Book average transaction price.
Yet when I cruised the X1 along St. Pete’s Beach Drive on a Saturday afternoon, or through Tampa’s hip Hyde Park Village on a Saturday night, I felt like a million bucks. There’s nothing average here.
And compared to the opposition – Audi’s Q3, Jaguar’s E-Pace, Mercedes’ GLA, Lexus’ UX, the Cadillac XT4 and Volvo’s XC40 – the X1 is on average less expensive, more practical, more stylish and more fun to drive.
Part of that is down to BMW completely remodeling the X1 back in 2022, transforming the previous low-roof, milquetoast, front-wheel-drive version into a scaled down version of the pricier X3.
This is one terrific-looking BMW. I’m even getting used to the swollen dual-kidney grille to the point that I think it’s pretty cool and now unmistakably BMW.
And the proportions are compact-SUV perfect, with the longish hood, aggressive air-gulping front end and swoopy roofline adding just the right amount of visual sportiness. And I love those optional, thin-spoke 19-inch M wheels that come with the M Sport package.
Inside there’s nothing compact about the cabin. There’s space inside for five, with decent legroom in the back and no shortage of headroom. As a load hauler, there’s 26 cubic feet of luggage space behind the split-folding rear seats, and 57 cu. ft. with them folded.
Talking of inside, the wow factor here is BMW’s Curved Display, a gently-arching sheet of floating glass that runs from behind the steering wheel to the center of the dash. It incorporates a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.7-inch multimedia screen.
Gaze in wonder at its crisp, bright, high-rez graphics and easy-to-read navigation maps. It runs on BMW’s latest iDrive 8 operating system and includes “Hey BMW” voice commands.
With the redesigned cabin came a big step up in terms of style, quality and fit and finish. The perforated SensaTec animal-free pleather upholstery looks and feels terrific.
Under the hood is BMW’s trusty turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that was uprated for this newest X1. Max power is now a healthy 241-horsepower with 295 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to zip you from standstill to 60mph in just 6.2 seconds.
On the road, it feels like a proper ultimate driving machine BMW, with lively performance, nimble, agile handling, nicely-precise steering and a suitably firm, sporty ride.
Yes, there’s a bit of turbo lag, or hesitation, off the line, or when pulling out to pass slower traffic. But engaging Sport mode livens things up, as does playing with the paddle shifters.
Being smaller than the X3, and a lot smaller than the X5, also makes the X1 easier to maneuver on narrow traffic lanes, and a breeze to zip into tight parking spaces.
There’s a lot to love about this latest X1. Were I looking to sign on the dotted line, it’s one awesome all-rounder I could definitely see myself owning one.
