Category Archives: SUV/4X4

BMW, SUV, SUV/4X4

Revamp has the X Factor

Leave a comment

BMW X1

By Bill McCarthy

Think of the 1 series and you picture a relatively small car, but not so with this third-generation model of the X1, with its distinctive styling and increased space.

A bit of a transformation from its predecessor, with more standard kit, this SUV — BMW describes it as a Compact Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) –- certainly looks the part with eye-catching curves, smart light clusters, signature kidney-shaped grille sitting above a large air scoop. 

The rear end features a spoiler, while integrated roof bars and smart alloys round off a pleasing profile.

The interior is a real upgrade on what went before with high-end soft-touch trim and chrome finish dominating.

With the leather seats and multi-function steering wheel featuring snazzy stitching, there is no mistaking this is a premium vehicle.

The raised seating position emphasises the SUV-like quality and it features two information screens which seem to almost blend into each other and a floating armrest which houses the gear selector together with the smartphone charging tray.

The screens are a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a central curved 10.7-inch infotainment screen which controls navigation, infotainment and smartphone connectivity.

BMW says the latest iDrive is designed to provide intuitive touch and voice control. This reduces the number of physical buttons, controls and switches required.

The system offers optional functions like the Augmented View function as an optional add-on for the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system.

An interior camera makes it possible to take snapshots of the occupants or have images of the interior sent to a smartphone.

Engine options available are the usual BMW multitude of choices including two petrol, two diesel, two plug-in hybrid, and one all-electric model, with a choice of Sport, xLine, and M Sport models available. Prices start at just over £34k.

All models are well equipped and the xLine driven here features auto dimming rear view and wing mirrors, interior camera, parking assistant and head up display, but as with all BMWs the options list appears endless.

Powered by a two-litre turbo petrol engine supplemented by a 48V mild hybrid electric motor, this model offers plenty of pace and is fuel efficient.

The system is linked to seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch as standard.  Economy is decent with the claimed 39-43mpg seeming pretty close to the mark.

The 215 PS unit powers the car to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds while the intelligent all-wheel drive, or XDrive, gives maximum traction when required.

Various drive modes are offered from economy to sport with the upgraded chassis technology delivering agile handling, if not the comfiest of rides, particularly on difficult surfaces.

As an SUV, sorry SAV, it is a practical vehicle. Stowage space is good with a split height boot floor while the folding seats allow a capacity of 540 litres to be increased to 1,545 litres. Various cup holders and a central bin adds to practicality.

It is also packed with safety equipment, a comprehensive array of airbags, cruise control with brake function and the front-collision warning system, parking assistant including reversing assist camera and reversing assistant.

It now has a real X factor.

Factfile

BMW X1 xDrive23i 

Price: £37,595

Mechanical: 215PS, 1,998cc, four-cylinder petrol engine and mild hybrid electric motor driving all wheels via seven-speed Steptronic transmission

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 7.1 second

Max speed: 145 mph

Combined mpg: 41mpg

Insurance group: tbc

CO2 emissions: 152g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Electric/hybrid, First drive, SUV/4X4, Suzuki

SUV joins race to electrification

Leave a comment

Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

Suzuki’s race to electrification is gathering pace with the introduction of full hybrid technology to the popular and stylish S-Cross.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine  has as been mated with an electric motor to deliver low emissions of 118g/km for its two wheel drive model and a combined mpg of  54.3.

The  S-Cross is a compact and stylish SUV that had a major makeover in 2021, looking a different vehicle to its predecessor, with higher level of safety equipment and the latest technology.

Suzuki are not keen to talk about entry level, so it comes in two versions, the front wheel drive Motion at £26,749 and the Ultra which includes Suzuki’s Allgrip from wheel drive and priced at at £31,549.

This full hybrid has gone on sale, along with the 48V mild hybrid version with the 1.4 Booster jet petrol engine, which although smaller, offers more rapid acceleration than the full hybrid.

That price tag might seem a lot at first glance, but for a mid-sized SUV with four-wheel drive, hybrid technology and a plethora of standard kit, it then seems pretty attractive.

Both models feature smartphone connectivity, rear parking camera, front & rear parking sensors, keyless entry & start, climate control fitted as standard on both model grades.

The Ultra driven here features  ALLGRIP Select four-wheel drive, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, leather seat upholstery, integrated on-board navigation with nine-inch screen, panoramic sliding sunroof and a 360 view camera. 

In addition, all S-Cross Hybrid models come with Suzuki’s AGS automated manual transmission as standard with steering mounted paddles for a manual experience.

The slight downside is that shifts can be a bit sluggish with consequent hesitation acceleration.

It is a smart looking vehicle compact and with all the creases and bulges in the right place. It features smart alloys and huge amounts of kit for a price that puts others to shame and is one of the few in its segment to offer all wheel drive.

The muscular design includes angular wheel arches, piano black front grille and three LED position headlamps.

The rear features combination lamps that integrate horizontally to emphasise a sense of width, in addition to roof rails and integrated rear spoiler.

It is also pretty capable off-road, where the range topping all wheel drive Ultra was put through its paces.

Not a full fat off-roader, more of a soft roader’, it can cope pretty well with muddy and otherwise treacherous conditions. Having said that it did struggle a little on an off-road course that was made particlarly treacherious by heavy rain and using ordinary road tyres.

But the ALLGRIP Select system has already proved itself more than capable and designed to anticipate slippage based on road surface, throttle opening position, steering angle and other factors.

There are four settings: auto, sport, snow and lock for the more demanding areas.

Performance all around is adequate other than inspiring. The car with a combined output of 115bhp, hits 60mph in a pretty pedestrian time of around 13 seconds. Two selectable Full Hybrid drive modes are available, Standard and Eco, which are pretty self-explanatory.

Economy ranges between 48mpg and 52 mpg depending on the model.

High level of safety specification fitted as standard to both S-Cross models include Dual Sensor Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Adaptive Cruise Control and seven airbags including Driver’s Knee Airbag.

The S-Cross as plenty to offer and Suzuki customers are a loyal bunch and with the brand being named top vehicle manufacturer in the Institute of Customer Service bi-annual UK satisfaction index, you can see why.