Despite their entry-level status, the new BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine and the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport are proof that size doesn’t have to be a hindrance to daily comfort and utility
In the increasingly convoluted world of crossovers, it’s easy to gloss over the latest variations of the BMW X1 and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer—the former logging in as the smallest model in BMW’s X line, the latter essentially a mini-MPV. Two entry-level Beemers that, considering their relatively modest price points (at S$253,888 and S$226,888 respectively), punch above their weight in delivering sturdy good looks, day-to-day functionality and progressive interiors.
Even at first glance, it’s apparent that BMW has taken care to ensure that the new BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine and the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport convey a certain composure and prowess belying their smallish size. This comes in the form of flushed door handles, tapered head and taillights, and standard 19/18-inch light-alloy wheels—not forgetting the German marque’s upsized double kidney grille design for added oomph. The exaggerated growth that the new BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine has undergone, however, does mean that it has that much more of a robust, boxy edge over the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport.
Rest assured, though, that both the new BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine and the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport have been designed with functionality foremost in mind, suffused with a dash of futuristic touches hitherto absent in their predecessors. Most prominently, you’ll notice a significant reduction of physical controls, whereby excessive knobs and buttons have been done away with in favour of a sleek ‘floating’ control panel and BMW’s Curved Display, a touch and voice-control interface equipped with the latest BMW Operating System 8.
Other thoughtful touches extend to the ambient lighting and wireless charging pad—a requisite in today’s smart phone climate—as well as intelligent two-zone climate control and newly developed seats in Sensatec perforated upholstery, for better comfort over longer distances. On days you need to do some heavy lifting, simply collapse the rear seats for an extended boot capacity—freeing up to 1,600 litres of cargo space in the case of the BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine, and up to 1,455 litres of cargo space for the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport.
That being said, don’t count on the new BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine and the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport to exhibit top-notch performance, the likes of which you’ll be better off expecting in a Porsche Cayenne or the Jaguar F-Pace. With only a conservative amount of power (122 hp, to be exact), both models don’t exactly offer swoonworthy acceleration. Still, they’re well-rounded and nimble enough to avoid feeling overly lethargic or dull, powered by a compact 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo engine that produces 230 Nm of torque. When in need of an extra boost, the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport features gearshift paddles on the steering wheel for quick manual selection of gears.
Coupled with a rather solid fuel efficiency of 14.7 km/l and a suite of standard features including cruise control with braking function, blind spot monitoring and parking assistant, both the new BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine and the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport will acquit themselves on the road and around tight spaces with adequate aptitude and flair. Which is to say that as premium entry-points to the marque’s ever-growing line-up, the latest BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine and the BMW 216i Active Tourer M Sport will readily meet the obligations of a hassle-free, everyday ride, whetting your appetite just enough so you’re hungry for more.
