USED CARS
THIS ONE’S A KEEPER
HOW TO BUY ABMW X1
BMW’s smallest crossover really came of age in its second generation
The original BMW X1 racked up more than 700,000 global sales between 2009 and 2015, but for all its success it was plainly styled, poorly packaged and flawed on the road. Happily, the Mk2 car of 2015 to 2022 fixed all of that, and it holds up today as a great-value family hauler with up-to-date technology and real kerb appeal. Prices start at about £5000 for cars with more than 100,000 miles under their wheels, but with a budget of around £8500 you can easily find a clean and well-equipped example that will have the neighbours’ curtains twitching. You might think it a relatively staid, front-driven family SUV, but the X1 is a surprisingly good car to drive, cleverly hiding the extra bulk and height it has over a normal family hatchback. Its steering is precise and communicative, it maintains good body control and it generally inspires confidence when you thread it down a rural road. Sure, it’s not as engaging as some of BMW’s rear-driven offerings, but it’s pleasant nonetheless and reasonably comfortable.