2013 BMW X1

From the start we have to point out the one difficulty with the BMW X1. That would be the BMW X3.

As fans of smaller vehicles we can appreciate why someone would consider the X1, which is the little brother of the X3. It is 176.5 in. long on a 108.7-in. wheelbase, measures 70.8 in. wide and 60.8 in. tall. Weighing in at 3726 lb - the xDrive28i version - it is 389 lb lighter than the X3 xDrive28i, which is 183.0 in. long with a wheelbase of 110.6 in., the width at 74.1 in. and the height measuring 65.4 in.

Aren’t numbers fun? But hold on for a few more. For all their differences outside, the actual passenger space for those up front and a pair in back isn’t that different between he two BMWs. Not so for cargo space, the X3 having roughly 10 more cubic feet with the rear seatbacks up, some 16 extra when you fold the seats.

One set of numbers the pair shares is horsepower and torque, 240 of the former and 260 of the latter from the TwinPower Turbo 2.0-liter four. Hold on, we’re almost out of numbers, but consider 8 speeds in the transmission and 0-60 in 6.6 seconds for the X1, 6.3 for the lighter X1. Fuel mileage numbers are 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway for the X1, 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway with the X3.

Okay, just three more numbers: $32,350, $38,500 and 50 bucks. The first is the base price of the all-wheel drive X1, the second is the base of an equally powered AWD X3 and the third is, by BMW’s reckoning, the difference in the monthly payment between the two ($419 versus $469, with an extra $1050 cash down on the X3 at delivery). Other than power seats in the X3, they are reasonably comparably equipped. Mind you, being German luxury vehicles, those base prices can easily climb by 25 percent or more with options, but that’s your choice.

The Same, Only Different
Visually the vehicles are quite similar - a now classic shape - and yet a bit different. It is oblivious the pair are siblings and BMW designers did a fine job of recreating the X3’s shape on the smaller footprint, but somehow the X1 has less visual authority than the X3.
t’s oddly the same inside the X1. All the expected and respected pieces are there, like the gauges, the vastly improved iDrive and its screen readout, but in a smaller setting. Tap the center of the dashboard and it sounds hollow and very un-BMW. Then again, the seats look and feel substantial. Driving a BMW has almost always been a pleasure and it is here too. Nice smooth power, seamless shifts and positive steering. Drive the X1 over rough roads and you can feel it is a lighter, smaller vehicle, but that goes with the territory and the driving rewards are worth it. But it’s not as substantial feeling as the X3. And for the price of about a dozen venti Lattes at Starbucks each month - and $1050 -you could have an X3.