BMW X1 and iX1 first drive | the brand's new best seller?

For a long time the BMW 3 Series has been the model of choice for user choosers. It’s won countless Fleet News awards over the years and been a key volume driver for the brand. Times are changing, however. People want SUVs, not saloons, and they want electric motors instead of combustion engines.

That’s why the launch of this new BMW X1 is so important for the brand. It’s expected to become the biggest selling BMW model in the fleet market. In short, the X1 is the new daddy.

Key to its success is the iX1 – a fully electric version of the new SUV. Using BMW’s magic recipe for taking combustion engine models and turning them into great EVs, the iX1 shares the same attributes as the larger iX3 and magnificent i4.

Let’s talk a bit more about the X1. Now in its third generation, the compact SUV has upped its game and now sits on BMW’s UKL platform, which is also used in the new 2 Series Active Tourer. It allows for petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, as well as fully electric.

For the new X1 there’s a choice of two PHEVs: the xDrive25e, which has 245PS, and the xDrive30e, which packs 326PS. Both have all-wheel-drive and a zero-emission range of more than 50 miles, placing them in the 8% benefit-in-kind tax band. Prices for these models start at £41,245.

The battery used in the PHEVs is larger than before, with a useable capacity of 14.2kWh, but also faster to charge thanks to a beefed up 7.4kW on board charger.

In the iX1, which costs upwards of £52,200, BMW has shoehorned in a 65.5kWh battery pack and two electric motors. It gives the car a WLTP range of 270 miles and a power output of 313PS. DC recharging at up to 130kW makes it possible to boost the battery level from 10-80% in 29 minutes, or increase range by 75 miles in just 10 minutes.

Two petrol and two diesel options are also available, each paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive sDrive18 kicks of the diesel range with 150PS, while the all-wheel-drive xDrive23 has 211PS and adds mild-hybrid technology. Both cars emit round 130g/km of CO2.

The petrol line-up is similar with an entry-level front-wheel-drive sDrive20 – the cheapest X1 available at £33,500 - and a more potent xDrive23. The latter adds all-wheel-drive and mild hybrid tech. CO2 emissions are slightly higher for the petrol models, ranging from 134g/km to 154g/km.

Specification levels have been boosted across the line-up and all trim grades are well equipped. Base Sport models include LED headlights, reversing camera, an electric tailgate and BMW iDrive 8.0 with a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The mid-range X Line gets synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats.

BMW expects the range-topping M Sport trim to be the most popular, however, which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, sportier styling and adaptive suspension.

The X1 has grown in size, giving more space for passengers. In the rear there’s three full-size seats and a 540-litre boot. The boot size drops slightly in the iX1, to 490 litres.

Up front, the dashboard layout is shared with the new 2 Series Active Tourer. The infotainment screen curves towards the driver and blends with the instrument screen. There’s very few physical buttons and, disappointingly, the BMW iDrive rotary controller is absent.

The interior doesn’t feel quite as upmarket as other recent BMWs, but its still is step ahead of the Mercedes GLA. The car is quiet on the move, although the ride errs on the firm side.

Like the 2 Series Active Tourer, the X1 feels assured and stable on the road but doesn’t offer the most engaging drive. We’ve yet to sample the PHEV models as they won’t arrive until early next year.

The iX1 is blisteringly fast, achieving a 0-60mph sprint in less than six seconds. It has Boost Mode, activated by pulling a paddle behind the steering wheel, that unleashes full power for 10 seconds, but even without this the iX1 is suitably potent.

With more restrained driving, the iX1 was achieving an impressive 4.0mi/kWh, suggesting a real-world range of around 250-260 miles should be achievable.

Specification shown for BMW iX1 M Sport.