BMW X1 sports activity vehicle goes far beyond utility

The small-luxury wagon brigade just welcomed a new member, or rather, a previous member that has been rehabilitated from stem to stern.

The BMW X1 replaces the not-so-old original that initially landed here for the 2013 model year (it had kicked around Europe and elsewhere for a few years previously).

This time, BMW has mounted the X1 logo on a chassis developed for BMW's Mini division, which means it's essentially a front-wheel-drive model with added all-wheel drive hardware similar to that used on the Mini Countryman.

Though the body says BMW, the platform is based on the Mini line; the new X1 is one of the least financially painful ways to move up to a BMW.

An all-new turbocharged four-cylinder engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which makes for less horsepower, but about the same torque as before. All-wheel-drive is all you can get, for now.

The system turns the front wheels only in ideal conditions, but can shift up to 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels when traction warrant.

Keeping the new X1 xDrive28i on the go is an equally new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of peak torque. That compares to 240 horses and 260 pound-feet for the previous X1's base turbo 2.0.

By BMW's measurements, the X1 will reach 60 mph from rest in 6.3 seconds, or about the same as before.

According to BMW of Las Vegas Internet Sales Manager Steve Broka, the X1 can reach a top speed of 130 mph.

"The neat thing about these cars is they have an electric power steering unit, which helps preserve the horsepower of the engine and not take it away so the power of the engine is devoted to acceleration and driving," he said. "Also, while it's a bigger vehicle than the previous generation, it's lighter so that'll help with the fuel economy."

The 3,660-pound X1 gets 22 mph city and 32 mph highway.

Broka added that the X1 comes equipped with BMW assist, a roadside assistance feature, and head-up display, which features the current speed, incoming calls and navigation on the windshield.

"It's great because you don't have to look into the cockpit for that information," he said.

All X1s come with power-adjustable front seats, keyless ignition, heated outside mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights and 18-inch run-flat tires (19-inch versions are optional). An M Sport option adds paddle shifters and a sport suspension and seats, while the Premium Package gets you a panoramic moonroof and LED headlights.

Other extra-cost equipment includes a navigation system, 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound audio plus an array of the latest in crash-avoidance technologies that are part of a Driver Assistance Package.

The base price for the four-door compact wagon is $35,800.

Broka said he recommends the X1 to drivers with an active lifestyle.

"It's considered a sports activity vehicle so it's great for someone heading up to the mountains to ski, snowboard or mountain bike because it has a lot of cargo capabilities," he said. "Its all-wheel-drive system is incredible so you'll have no issues with traction. It's a good, solid vehicle."

— Reporter Ann Friedman contributed to this report.