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Section:Gallery
The all-new X1 is a better car than its predecessor. It’s roomier, lighter and more comfortable. Its cabin is quieter and more elegantly appointed. Second-row seating grows dramatically, as does cargo space.
The X1 behaves like a small Bimmer ought. Its vault-solid chassis enables a firm-but-never-punishing ride, steering is quick and accurate (though not especially communicative) and the powertrain responds eagerly to the throttle.
BMW’s xDrive AWD system is standard. It powers the front wheels by default but, within 250 milliseconds of detecting slippage, can shift up to 100 percent of torque to the rear. Off-road, the X1 is arguably the most capable of all the compact crossover
The seats are firm and supportive and, for the first time, the front seats receive standard power controls, with driver-side memory. Sight lines are excellent.
Gauges cant toward the driver and all controls are easy to reach and use. BMW’s iDrive knob-based infotainment interface grows more user-friendly with each iteration.
An ECO PRO drive mode slows throttle, steering and transmission responses and, when the driver lifts her foot at speeds between 30 and 100 mph, disengages the powertrain, allowing the X1 to coast.
Ride quality is improved, with less harshness, and the cabin is substantially quieter. The refined 2.0-liter engine makes only happy noises, even when being pushed hard.
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