The X range

Following on from our drive in the entire BMW SUV range – which you can read by clicking here – we break down the range just for you.

BMW X1

The baby of the BMW SUV range is also the least convincingly BMW-like. Not that this means it isn’t BMW-like, just not as completely convincingly so as the larger members.

The new X1 is based on the same platform as the 2 Series Active Tourer and the new Mini, meaning that it is (whisper it) essentially a FWD car with a transversely mounted engine over the front axle…

Now, BMW have proven fairly convincingly with the previously mentioned platform mates of the X1 that they can make a very, very good FWD car that is fun to drive, so that shouldn’t be a problem. But the fact remains that the X1 just doesn’t really feel like a BMW.

The xDrive20d we drove is the most convincing model of the least convincing BMW SUV, but it still suffered from the same problems that haunt the whole range, just not as noticeably so – the firm, unsettled ride, the strong tendency to have a good old understeer when pushed and the overly narrow and restrictive seats.

The old X1 was a great car to drive that looked a bit weird and had a naff interior, the new one turns that all around – great looking, high quality stylish interior and a bit underwhelming to drive.

Still, around town it is like a tall Mini and looks like a proper BMW, so that is all that will really count to most buyers.

Not as good as an Audi Q3, but still more of an actual SUV than a Mercedes-Benz GLA.

BMW X3

While it used to be the worst of the BMW SUV range, with its truly awful styling, poor build quality and general air of awfulness, the latest-generation X3 has blossomed into a thoroughly excellent machine.

Long gone is the frankly offensive styling and American-level build quality and in its place is a handsome, well-sorted, excellently-built mid-size SUV that is up there with the rest of them.

While we personally would take an AWD 3 Series wagon over an X3 any day, those who desire the SUV body style essentially get all the goodness of a 3 Series, with the high-riding SUV lifestyle.

The xDrive35d we drove on the launch is an absolute jewel, with BMW’s thoroughly excellent 3.0-litre inline six turbo diesel engine providing considerable stock, along with a brilliantly satisfying growl when you really get up it.

Better than an Audi Q5, probably not quite as good as a Mercedes GLC though.

BMW X4

The X3-based “coupe” version of the X3 is every bit as good as its more traditional sibling, but brings a sportier attitude and those, um, polarising looks.

While the humpy coupe shape works better on X4 than it does the bigger X6 – and the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe does it even better – it is still very much an acquired taste. And I have to admit I haven’t really acquired it yet…

Still, what can’t be argued is that the X4 adds a brilliantly convincing sporty flavour to the X3-alternative, with a firm, but well-damped ride and a surprising ability to hammer corners like, well, a sporty sedan.

The X4 xDrive35d we drove packed the same 3.0-litre turbo six diesel as the X3, so the differences were markedly noticeable. In the X4’s favour. SUVs are getting more and more car-like all the time – the X4 is probably the most sports car-like yet.

Audi don’t really do anything like it and the Mercedes GLC Coupe is still to appear, so the X4 has this particular niche-within-a-niche to itself for the moment.

BMW X5

The big daddy of the BMW SUV range, the X5 has always been a rather spectacular machine, particularly when they start jamming thoroughly silly engines into them.

And the X5 we drove on the event was the silliest of them all – the mighty X5 M, a full blown M-prepped SUV or, in other words, something BMW once (a long, long time ago) said they would never do.

Turbo engines are also something BMW once said they would never do, and the X5 M has on of those as well in the form of the thoroughly spectacular 4.0-litre twin -turbo petrol V8 that powers M-cars from the M5 up.

It sounds amazing (not much like a traditional V8, but still amazing), is surprising raw and aggressive when you harsh it like a rented mule and must be thoroughly terrifying to be passed by at as it pops, bangs, roars and hisses its way past at a thoroughly staggering rate.

It looks awesome too, with bulgy M exterior touches that leave you in no doubt that it will not only leave you for dead on the road, it would probably happily leave you for dead in the gutter after a bar fight as well.

The X5 is a fantastic vehicle in basic form, it is thoroughly staggering on M form. It is a combination of two things BMW said they would never do – so if they ever say they won’t do something again, start looking forward to it, because it will probably be thoroughly excellent when they do…

Nothing anyone make touches it, not even the brilliant GLE 63 AMG. Audi are having a crack at the mental big SUV thing soon with the SQ7, so that will be interesting…

BMW X6

Coming off like the weird, slightly creepy brother of the X5, the humpy X6 is the pinnacle of acquired taste, even though the latest generation has taken the weirdest edges off it.

A less practical alternative to an X5, the X6 makes little practical sense, so therefore gets better the less sense it makes. This means the X6 M is utterly spectacular, while the car we drove at the event – the xDrive30d – was exceptionally good. Just a bit hard to look at.

If the shape appeals – and it seems it does to quite a lot of people – the X6 is every bit as good as the X5 (except, obviously, in load space!) but adds a slightly sportier edge, much as the X4 does to the X3.

It difference wasn’t quite as a obvious on the drive, as the X5 representative was the utterly mad M version, but the X6 brings a similarly sportier ride and slightly lower ride height as the X4, to create that oddest of things – a sporty large SUV coupe.

If that is your thing, then this is a good one. If not, then shake you head in wonderment, much like I do…

Again, Audi has shown remarkable restraint and stayed clear of this weird segment, but Merc haven’t and their GLE Coupe is slightly better looking (but still odd) and pretty much on-par with the X6 – it just comes down to your preferred badge.