Plug-in hybrid BMW X1 driven
Tax-busting plug-in power is now available on BMW’s smallest SUV
WHEN it comes to green credentials, SUVs don’t always paint themselves in a flattering light. But this BMW X1 xDrive25e might just be one of the most fuel-efficient options available today.
Thanks to a plug-in hybrid powertrain, Munich’s answer to the Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 can drive for 32 miles on electricity alone, offering the potential for many buyers’ typical commutes to be driven with barely a drop of petrol used.
The X1 is the entry point of the BMW SUV range, and with a footprint that’s smaller than a 3 Series’, it’s a doddle to drive around town. Yet there’s still a lofty seating position that gives a great view of the road ahead.
So far, so good, and the remaining technical specs promise much. The plug-in system has an electric motor with 94bhp and 165Nm of torque, but when a little extra shove is needed, the 123bhp, 220Nm threecylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine chips in.
Prod the starter button and the X1 stays silent; in its default Auto eDrive setting, the petrol motor will only perk up if you ask for hard acceleration or if the battery charge is low. Once you’ve overcome a slightly sluggish response when moving off, the electric drive system is smooth and gives you plenty of performance for everyday driving. The X1 can reach 84mph in zero-emissions mode if necessary, although during our time with the car a full charge offered around 25 miles of range, rather than the official 32 miles.
As well as Auto eDrive, the X1 gets two hybrid-specific driving modes to make the most efficient use of the powertrain. MAX eDrive forces full EV mode, while Save Battery maintains the battery’s charge for later, running on engine power alone.
Whichever you choose, the integration of petrol and electric is very slick. When the engine springs into life, it remains hushed within the cabin; a little extra vibration and the moving rev counter needle are the main clues that both power sources are in use.
In hybrid mode, performance is strong. Petrol power is sent exclusively to the front and the electric motor driving the rear, so the X1 PHEV sets itself apart from the XC40 by offering four-wheel drive. With both parts of the powertrain in action, the BMW can sprint from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.
It’s more fun to drive than the XC40, too. While that 10kWh battery is heavy, its position beneath the rear seats helps to keep the centre of mass low, and weight distribution balanced from front to rear. As a result, the X1 is stable and composed in corners, and it resists body roll well. The steering does it plenty of favours, too; while there’s not a huge amount of feedback, the weighting and response are spot on.
The hybrid can’t fully hide that extra weight, though. Compared with the lighter petrol models, its limits of grip are reached
“The heavy battery is mounted low, so the X1 is stable and composed in corners”
earlier, at which point understeer gently sets in. Over larger bumps the X1 can crash a bit more, although on the 18-inch wheels of our test car, the ride was firm but comfortable.
The X1’s cabin’s layout is starting to look a little bit dated, but it still tops its class for tech. The infotainment system is brilliant, with clear graphics, quick loading times and a range of input methods that are slick and easy to use.
Adding the electric drivetrain has chipped away at fuel-tank capacity (now 36 litres) and boot volume. At 450 litres, it’s 55 litres down on non-hybrid X1s, but the large hatch and under-floor cable storage mean it’s perfectly adequate. Rear-passenger space is unchanged and is still the best in class.
The biggest sticking point could be price, especially for private buyers. The xDrive25e is the most expensive X1 in the range, and is around two grand more than the xDrive20i. But it will be brilliant for company car drivers, who could save roughly £3,000 per year in Benefit-in-Kind tax over the same model.