BMW Unveils the all-new 3rd Generation X1

Well, to be honest, it looks pretty sharp for a really small SUV. I assume it is FWD-based but I may have missed it. If so, I think the relatively flat hood makes those FWD proportions look surprisingly great. 

I like it but nearly 40k for something this size seems insane to me. 

WOW, considering how cheap the interiors were on the last couple generations to me, this does look better on the inside. I agree with  @ccap41 that the price for this subcompact / compact? SUV is crazy. I have to guess that the Ultimate Driving machine means nothing to those that buy this with the drive by wire widget in the center arm reast.

Hi!  My name is Oldshurst and I am an automotive bigot. 

All CUVs look the same to me...therefore I judge them to be all the same.  I also HATE them all!!!  I wish they could all burn to the ground. 

I am NOT for a more diverse automotive universe.  I prefer the automotive world to be car based coupes, sedans and convertibles while REAL SUVs should be relegated to work shops and off-roading.  Hauling stuff around should be done in pick-up trucks and fullsized vans and if we need to haul families around, sedan based wagons should be the ONLY way. We could stretch that to vans and minivans.  

Yup...all CUVs look the same and I am Oldshurst, an automotive bigot.

PS:   I am NOT lying when I say that CUVs all look the same.  The rest is just humorous banter.  Except the part that I wished ALL CUVs dead dead dead!!!

5 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Hi!  My name is Oldshurst and I am an automotive bigot. 

All CUVs look the same to me...therefore I judge them to be all the same.  I also HATE them all!!!  I wish they could all burn to the ground. 

I am NOT for a more diverse automotive universe.  I prefer the automotive world to be car based coupes, sedans and convertibles while REAL SUVs should be relegated to work shops and off-roading.  Hauling stuff around should be done in pick-up trucks and fullsized vans and if we need to haul families around, sedan based wagons should be the ONLY way. We could stretch that to vans and minivans.  

 

Yup...all CUVs look the same and I am Oldshurst, an automotive bigot.

PS:   I am NOT lying when I say that CUVs all look the same.  The rest is just humorous banter.  Except the part that I wished ALL CUVs dead dead dead!!!

This sounds like a throw back to the 70's or a 20 year younger version than @balthazar 

Edit: Thinking on this, I guess that is what happened to cars as they all became generic appliances with the god awful coupe back. So then I guess CUVs will all dye and I wonder what will be next?  

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Well, to be honest, it looks pretty sharp for a really small SUV. I assume it is FWD-based but I may have missed it. If so, I think the relatively flat hood makes those FWD proportions look surprisingly great. 

I like it but nearly 40k for something this size seems insane to me. 

Yes, it's FWD based as it is platform shared with the two Minis (and all Minis are FWD based).  The current one is pretty snug and at a guess it's like the 2023 GLC 300 where it gained size outside but with nothing extra for the driver and passengers.

13 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Yes, it's FWD based as it is platform shared with the two Minis (and all Minis are FWD based).  The current one is pretty snug and at a guess it's like the 2023 GLC 300 where it gained size outside but with nothing extra for the driver and passengers.

This is GLC-sized? If so, it's not nearly as small as I would have thought. We've had a loaner GLC and I really liked it. It certainly wasn't big but I didn't think it was necessarily too small either. 

Has the X1 grown from the original generation(I'd assume so - everything has)? GLC-sized just seems quite a big larger than what I'm picturing for the original X1, which seemed about Ford Focus-sized with a 0.5 inch lift kit. 

And thanks, I assumed it was still FWD-based but the low, flat hood does a good job of hiding it, in my opinion. 

6 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

This is GLC-sized? If so, it's not nearly as small as I would have thought. We've had a loaner GLC and I really liked it. It certainly wasn't big but I didn't think it was necessarily too small either. 

 

Closer to the GLB in size, I think...the X3 is the GLC competitor I think.

6 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

This is GLC-sized? If so, it's not nearly as small as I would have thought. We've had a loaner GLC and I really liked it. It certainly wasn't big but I didn't think it was necessarily too small either. 

Has the X1 grown from the original generation(I'd assume so - everything has)? GLC-sized just seems quite a big larger than what I'm picturing for the original X1, which seemed about Ford Focus-sized with a 0.5 inch lift kit. 

And thanks, I assumed it was still FWD-based but the low, flat hood does a good job of hiding it, in my opinion. 

No, this is one size down, but bigger than GLA.

2 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Closer to the GLB in size, I think...the X3 is the GLC competitor I think.

I looked at this awhile ago and GLB and GLC are nearly IDENTICAL in exterior dimensions and, if I remember correctly, the GLB had more interior space. We had a loaner GLB then a loaner GLC so I got curious. 

I was thinking X3 and GLC were the comparable ones as well. 

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

No, this is one size down, but bigger than GLA.

Ohhh okay, that makes sense then. Thanks!

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

I looked at this awhile ago and GLB and GLC are nearly IDENTICAL in exterior dimensions and, if I remember correctly, the GLB had more interior space. We had a loaner GLB then a loaner GLC so I got curious. 

I was thinking X3 and GLC were the comparable ones as well. 

Ohhh okay, that makes sense then. Thanks!

Yeah, the glib and glic are within an inch of each other in length.   So the X1 is between the glah and glib in dimensions.. 

26 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Closer to the GLB in size, I think...the X3 is the GLC competitor I think.

GLB is larger than X1... this is an area where there's not a lot of direct competition in size and because of the Germans' insane numbering system it gets confusing.

In order of size, based on my opinion of interior roominess feel

1. GLA / X2 (hatchbacks with lift kits... aka squished crossover coupes)
2. X1 / Q3 (Similar legroom to Encore, but wider)
3. XT4
4. Q4 e-Tron (This is about Encore GX in size)
5. Q5
6. X3 / GLC / GV70 / RDX
7. GLB
8. Corsair (the Corsair is a good 3 inches wider, so it feels roomier. The GLB has the 3rd row, but slightly less cargo room.)
9. ..... big gap
10. XT5
11. ..... smaller gap
12. X5 / GLE / XT6 / Aviator / GV80 / MDX

17 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Yeah, the glib and glic are within an inch of each other in length.   So the X1 is between the glah and glib in dimensions.. 

21 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I looked at this awhile ago and GLB and GLC are nearly IDENTICAL in exterior dimensions and, if I remember correctly, the GLB had more interior space. We had a loaner GLB then a loaner GLC so I got curious. 

I was thinking X3 and GLC were the comparable ones as well. 

Ohhh okay, that makes sense then. Thanks!

Can't really go on exterior length.  The GLB is FWD base and the GLC is RWD based... the GLC also has some legitimate off-road chops if you really wanted to.  So while they may have similar exterior dimensions, the FWD packaging of the GLB gives more interior room.... enough so that you can get an optional 3rd row in it.

The orientation of the engine really matters in packaging when talking about vehicles this small.

10 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

So while they may have similar exterior dimensions, the FWD packaging of the GLB gives more interior room.... enough so that you can get an optional 3rd row in it.

Oh yeah, that's 100% what it felt like driving the two of them and why I assumed the GLB had more interior space. 

I do have to ask then, why'd you rate it(GLB) lower on your interior roominess list than the GLC? 

Just now, ccap41 said:

Oh yeah, that's 100% what it felt like driving the two of them and why I assumed the GLB had more interior space. 

I do have to ask then, why'd you rate it(GLB) lower on your interior roominess list than the GLC? 

Woop... that was a mistake.  I didn't make the list in exact order, I would remember something and go back an add it.  Will fix.

Crowded market of premium CUVs...

11 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Oh yeah, that's 100% what it felt like driving the two of them and why I assumed the GLB had more interior space. 

I do have to ask then, why'd you rate it(GLB) lower on your interior roominess list than the GLC? 

The whole range of these segments is really weird.... like the RDX is CRV based so it should feel pretty roomy inside, but it doesn't because of the way the dash is packaged.  There's a good bit of cargo space though so interior volume is fairly large... it just doesn't feel large.   So as a driver, it feels no bigger than an X3 even though technically there is more room out back.

The XT4 feels big for the class as it competes with the tiny GLA, but small at the same time.  The low roof is a compromise for those who want "crossover coupes".

The Corsair feels like a shortened version of a larger car, and it is FWD based so it gets those packaging efficiencies.... so even though it is roughly the same size as the GLC outside, it's got a lot more room inside.

33 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Crowded market of premium CUVs...

Crowded market of cookie cutter CUVs.

7 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

Crowded market of cookie cutter CUVs.

Yep...and more and more coming all the time..

I think this one is a decent step in a positive direction though. It doesn't have the typical FWD shape to it, stubby and very sloppy hood, like my MKC. Maybe something is just playing tricks on my eyes though, lol. 

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

I think this one is a decent step in a positive direction though. It doesn't have the typical FWD shape to it, stubby and very sloppy hood, like my MKC. Maybe something is just playing tricks on my eyes though, lol. 

It's a specific styling direction that BMW is taking.... oddly enough it was started by Volvo that started putting RWD proportions in FWD vehicles.

On 6/2/2022 at 3:59 PM, ccap41 said:

Well, to be honest, it looks pretty sharp for a really small SUV. I assume it is FWD-based but I may have missed it. If so, I think the relatively flat hood makes those FWD proportions look surprisingly great. 

I like it but nearly 40k for something this size seems insane to me. 

I dunno, 40k seems to be the new price of entry these days.  At least you get decent hp and torque with this thing for your money.

I wish the Equinox (same size) had this much power.

On 6/4/2022 at 7:49 PM, regfootball said:

I dunno, 40k seems to be the new price of entry these days.  At least you get decent hp and torque with this thing for your money.

I wish the Equinox (same size) had this much power.

I don't believe this and an Equinox are about the same size. I thought this was a noticeable amount smaller. 

The Equinox starts are 26k.. 

8 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I don't believe this and an Equinox are about the same size. I thought this was a noticeable amount smaller. 

The Equinox starts are 26k.. 

The X1 is sized similar to the Trailblazer...

On 6/4/2022 at 7:49 PM, regfootball said:

I wish the Equinox (same size) had this much power.

Can the 2.0T no longer be had in the Equinox? 

4 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Can the 2.0T no longer be had in the Equinox? 

dropped last year or the year before... don't remember exactly when.

16 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

dropped last year or the year before... don't remember exactly when.

At one time they said they would bring back a 2.0 but the new LSY 2.0.  and then they canned that.

On 6/6/2022 at 8:04 AM, ccap41 said:

I don't believe this and an Equinox are about the same size. I thought this was a noticeable amount smaller. 

The Equinox starts are 26k.. 

@regfootball why are we shouting?

There’s a big interior space difference. External dimensions are a red herring.

lets wait till the interior specs and dimensions come out bro

current X1 is pretty spacious as well.  shoulder room and hip room always tell the tale.  Something the equinox doesn't have a bunch of.

9 hours ago, regfootball said:

lets wait till the interior specs and dimensions come out bro

current X1 is pretty spacious as well.  shoulder room and hip room always tell the tale.  Something the equinox doesn't have a bunch of.

The 'Nox I drove last weekend seemed to have plenty of front seat shoulder and hip room..felt more open and spacious than my GC. 

19 hours ago, regfootball said:

lets wait till the interior specs and dimensions come out bro

current X1 is pretty spacious as well.  shoulder room and hip room always tell the tale.  Something the equinox doesn't have a bunch of.

This is why I have to test fit my body in as the actual measurement figures supplied can be manipulated and us big folks do not always fit in what others call spacious. BMW is anything but spacious to me.

1 hour ago, David said:

This is why I have to test fit my body in as the actual measurement figures supplied can be manipulated and us big folks do not always fit in what others call spacious. BMW is anything but spacious to me.

While true, that big folk have to try out to see if they actually could fit inside the vehicle they intend to drive, little folk like myself also needs to do this.  Although its  more likely that little people like myself will probably be comfortable more often than not as opposed to big folk like yourself, small folk like myself ALSO have our OWN challenges.  If, for instance, even if the seats go forward, how comfy is the driving position going to be in relation to our butts in the seat, our hands on the steering wheel, our feet to the pedal and our overall eyesight looking out the windshield and the speedometer.

Cars are usually made for the AVERAGE height.  YOU are WAAAAAAAY taller than average height and Im a tad shorter than average height.  I will admit that my plight will be less severe than yours. But that doesnt mean I dont have a plight myself... 

Just curious though, 

If dealerships go away, and buying cars happen ONLY online, how to you figure you are gonna test fit your vehicle purchases? 

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

If dealerships go away, and buying cars happen ONLY online, how to you figure you are gonna test fit your vehicle purchases? 

My assumption, they may go away with the current dealer model but it would be silly to not have vehicles to test drive still.  I think that would give them a pretty big advantage to still keep one of each vehicle in stock and maybe a top trim and bottom trim to compare. 

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

If dealerships go away, and buying cars happen ONLY online, how to you figure you are gonna test fit your vehicle purchases? 

48 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

My assumption, they may go away with the current dealer model but it would be silly to not have vehicles to test drive still.  I think that would give them a pretty big advantage to still keep one of each vehicle in stock and maybe a top trim and bottom trim to compare. 

Totally agree with what ccap41 has said, I do not see the delivery service centers not having a test model. Tesla currently has this ability, Rivian is on record as saying they will as they open up their delivery/service centers have demo units.

Ford pushing to go fixed price, order online and pickup at a customer deliver/service center has also stated that demo units will still be an important part for customers.

I expect some might try to not have demo units, but then I think they will cut off a certain segment that will want this before buying.

On 6/12/2022 at 5:19 PM, David said:

This is why I have to test fit my body in as the actual measurement figures supplied can be manipulated and us big folks do not always fit in what others call spacious. BMW is anything but spacious to me.

I will say this, I find the current X1 and X3 to be pretty comfortable.

3 hours ago, regfootball said:

I will say this, I find the current X1 and X3 to be pretty comfortable.

I can barely fit in the X3, I doubt I could in the X1, at 300lbs, 6'6" tall, I am not the average or normal size person.

While my wife loves driving our Trailblazer SS which is considered a mid size, I could still use a bit more room. For local driving it is fine, but road trips are a bit tight for me. The Escalade I have is perfect for road trips.

On 6/18/2022 at 7:26 PM, David said:

I can barely fit in the X3, I doubt I could in the X1, at 300lbs, 6'6" tall, I am not the average or normal size person.

While my wife loves driving our Trailblazer SS which is considered a mid size, I could still use a bit more room. For local driving it is fine, but road trips are a bit tight for me. The Escalade I have is perfect for road trips.

current X1 has 55.6 inches of shoulder room in front and I couldn't find the number for hip room.

current x3 is 57.6.  56.0 rear ... shoulder room

Interesting, the current Equinox is 57.2 for front shoulder room and 54.2 for front hip room.  second row dimensions  55.5 and 51.7.  I will say this, the current x1 and x3 seem to have more open cabin and maybe that just contributes to the perception of space.  I do like it when there is more glass area, feels less constricting.

by contrast

The 2021 Chevy Suburban interior dimensions leave nothing to be desired. All three rows of seating offer impressive legroom, and while other three-row SUVs seat seven or eight at best, the Chevy Suburban seating capacity tops out at nine passengers in some configurations!

No matter where your passengers find themselves seated, they’ll find that it’s easy to spread out and get comfortable. Compare the Chevy Suburban interior dimensions across all three rows:

• Front Headroom/Legroom/Shoulder Room — 42.30 inches/44.50 inches/66.00 inches
• Second Row Headroom/Legroom/Shoulder Room — 39.90 inches/42.00 inches/64.00 inches
• Third Row Headroom/Legroom/Shoulder Room — 38.20 inches/36.70 inches/48.40 inches