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Everywhere one goes today, it’s fairly common to see SUVs and crossovers at every turn. Big vehicles are the new cool thing to have, as they offer more space, road presence, performance, and versatility than smaller cars. If you’re on the lookout for a new compact SUV to bring home, you’re in luck, as the segment surely has some fantastic options. As always, the Germans have done their best in this segment as well, and what better brand than BMW itself when it comes to considering a new compact SUV?
BMW’s X1 and X3 SUVs are both phenomenally impressive vehicles that one can buy today. Contrary to popular belief, the X1 is no longer simply the cheapest BMW crossover, but rather a full-fledged, feature-packed midsize SUV that is the king of the hill in its segment. If you have the X1 on your radar, you surely have the X3 as well, since it is tough to choose between these two great SUVs. With that said, here are five things we like about the BMW X1, and five reasons why we would still rather have the BMW X3 in our driveway.
10/10 The BMW X1 Comes Considerably Cheaper Than The X3
One can’t deny the importance of price as a major factor when bringing home a new vehicle, especially a luxury crossover from the likes of BMW. As such, when comparing the BMW X1 with the X3, the X1 does go a lot easier on the wallet.
The BMW X1 has a starting MSRP of $35,400, while the BMW X3 starts with a price tag of $43,700.which is almost $9,000 more than the X1. For that amount of money, one could certainly get a lot more options fitted on their X1 instead, or just be happy with the money saved, as the standard X1 remains a pretty impressive offering.
9/10 The Cabin Of The BMW X3 Offers More Space
It comes as no surprise that the BMW X3 offers more interior room than the X1. While the latter most certainly doesn’t feel cramped at any time, the X3 simply feels roomier.
This is thanks to the X3 being longer, wider, and higher than the X1, along with having a longer wheelbase. Even the cargo room of the X3 is larger, standing at 19.4 cubic inches compared to the X1’s 17.8 cubic inches.
8/10 The BMW X1 Handles Sharper, Thanks To Its Smaller Size
The wheelbase of the BMW X1 is 2,670 mm long, as opposed to the 2,864 mm long wheelbase of the X3. Not only does this make the X1 comparatively smaller, but also helps the compact SUV handle better and sharper.
As such, if you face tight turns and corners on the daily, you might want to lean toward the BMW X1 instead of the bigger X3. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder power unit inside the X1 gives the car plenty of power to throw around, while the agile handling complements it well.
7/10 For Larger Families, The BMW X3 Is A No-Brainer
There are several factors to consider when it comes to choosing between the BMW X1 and the X3. However, if you have a large family, there is simply no denying that the added cost of the X3 is a fair price to pay.
Not only does the BMW X3 come with more features as standard to keep all occupants busy and engaged, but it also offers more space inside the cabin, as the X1 is a four-seater at best, while the rear row of the X3 can comfortably seat three passengers.
6/10 When It Comes To Efficiency, The BMW X1 Trumps The X3
Fuel efficiency is a make-or-break factor for the success of the car. Any car manufacturer has to ensure that their vehicle lines up with the efficiency figures in its segment, even if it doesn’t surpass them. As such, even crossovers and bigger SUVs are becoming more efficient than ever.
The BMW X1 gets an EPA-estimated 25 and 34 MPG in the city and on the highway respectively. On the other hand, the X3 gets an EPA-estimated 22 and 29 MPG on the same fronts. In the long run, the X1 would prove to be a lot easier on the pocket, especially if you choose to get the more powerful engine options in the X3 by contrast.
5/10 The BMW X3 Offers More Power For The Enthusiasts
Of course, there is also a power difference between the X3 and the X1, with BMW’s bigger SUV offering more power under the hood. While both the X1 and the X3 ride on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, the X3’s power mill is tuned for more output.
Compared to the X1’s 228 horsepower, the BMW X3 makes 248 horsepower off the assembly line, reaching the 60 mph mark from 0 in just 6 seconds, while it takes the X1 6.3 seconds to do the same. Furthermore, the X3 M and the X3 Competition take the power and speed up several notches. These more powerful models simply aren’t available with the X1.
4/10 The BMW X1 Proves To Be A Lot More value-For-Money
Which SUV between the BMW X1 and the X3 offers more value for money in our opinion? We would have to go with the X1 on this front. Not only does the X1 come considerably cheaper than the X3, but it is also bound to save you a lot of money over the years on gas, with fewer trips to the pump over time.
Furthermore, both the BMW X1 and X3 come with plenty of impressive features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sirius XM as standard. On the safety front, both SUVs have received a full five-out-of-five-stars safety rating from EuroNCAP.
3/10 BMW Offers More Premium Features With The X3
Both the BMW X1 and X3 feature an impressive feature list, considering they are both luxury crossovers from the big German marque. However, it is the BMW X3 that has the longer feature list, seeing as it gets a navigation system as well as an active driving assistant.
Furthermore, there is also a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon system in the BMW X3, and the crossover also features over-the-air updates, as well as remote monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
2/10 The BMW X1 Is Better Suited For A City-Based Lifestyle
As the smaller yet equally-impressive crossover from BMW, the X1 is certainly the better choice for buyers who spend most of their time on city streets and roads. The X1 proves itself to be a better option when it comes to navigating tighter turns and smaller parking spaces.
While the X3 certainly has its plus points, it is certainly the BMW X1 that is better suited for a faster-paced, city-based lifestyle. In the same scenario, not only would the X3 tend to feel a bit more sluggish, but it would also guzzle fuel a lot faster than the X1.
1/10 The BMW X3 M And Competition Are Serious Power-Monsters
For those with the need for speed, the BMW X3 is a simple no-brainer. This is because the X1 comes with no other models that are faster or more powerful, while BMW does offer the X3 M and the X3 competition.
The BMW X3 M rides on a 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that makes 473 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. The X3 M is capable of going from 0 to 60 in just 4.1 seconds. These numbers get even better if you opt for the competition package on the X3 M, which churns out a whopping 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, propelling the midsize luxury SUV from 0 to 60 in just 3.5 seconds.
Sources: Edmunds, BMW USA
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