2011 bmw x1

BMW's baby SUV will be a spinoff of its 1-Series compact car. Styling will be in the X3/X5 mold, with big wheels for a relatively high stance.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2011 BMW X1

BMW fields its first baby SUV with a spinoff of its new 1-Series compact car. With smooth 6-cylinder power, available all-wheel drive, and "ultimate driving machine" cachet, it could be the new star of a fast-growing market class.

What We Know About the 2011 BMW X1

Premium compact SUVs are popping up everywhere, so much so that Consumer Guide has put them into a class of their own, separate from lower-priced models at mainstream brands. BMW's X3 helped plow this field a few years back. Acura has since weighed in with the RDX, the Infiniti EX was new for 2008, and Lexus is said to be prepping a contender, likely based on parent Toyota's RAV4. New for 2009 are the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

All this new competition poses a big challenge for the X3, which is one of the larger compact SUVs. Because of that, and in line with an announced expansion of its model line, BMW has confirmed a new X1 to slot below the X3 in size and price. The new baby-Bimmer SUV will be based on the company's 1-Series compact car. Sources expect the X1 to reach U.S. dealers in calendar 2011. Unlike the X3 and larger X5, the X1 will be sourced from Europe.

Updated by Don Sikora II 07.07.2009

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