While all-wheel drive models will be available, it’s the first time the X1 has ‘gone front’, it’s clear the brand appreciates that some buyers don’t need the full off-road shebang and are prepared to get by on just rugged good looks alone to accompany them on their urban adventures. Not that regular folk would be able to tell, anyway. For starters, the X1 gets things rolling well with its ‘body-armour’, muscular sculpting and chiselled looks playing second fiddle only to the cabin quality and dynamic performance. This new X1 rides some 53mm taller than the outgoing model, so it now has good height to go with its rough and ready looks.

The polarising looks of its predecessor resulted in a vehicle that seemed an uncomfortable cross between car, wagon and SUV, so we never felt it looked the part of a full-fledged member of the X family – and personally, who needs more than a 3 Series Touring, anyway? It’s worth mentioning the outgoing model used 3 Series underpinnings too, which makes the new one really quite different.

Given its compact stature in relation to the larger X models, we’d have expected BMW to include the 3 Series Touring’s nifty split-tailgate loading feature on the X1, but a project manager at the launch tells us the general elevated height of the X models means such a feature is less relevant, but we were thinking more of carrying extremely long items than playing ‘lucky dip’ – besides, even something as tall as a Land Rover Discovery boasts that feature so that’s thrown the size argument out the window.

However, the X1’s talent for utility isn’t to be sniffed at, because there’s some sense to all the sensibility. The rear seats fold 40:20:40 for great carrying versatility and they can be tumbled by using one-touch buttons positioned by the boot loading area – perfect for when your hands are full and you don’t want to have to fiddle around with complex mechanisms.

The 505-litre boot capacity is already 85-litres larger than its predecessor, and this can be expanded to as much as 1550-litres with all the seats flat. It’s not just about carrying function either, because passenger comfort remains a high priority – these same rear seats are angle and slide adjustable so you can sit straight or slouch depending on mood or driving.

Our test-car also came with the optional Comfort Access hands-free tailgate-opening (and closing) function, which came in useful when our hands were full with snack supplies in anticipation of the long drive. Of course, the cabin features all the useful stowage and storage bins to accommodate all the little knick-knacks that are expected to come in useful on mild off-road capers or road trips.

Like its bigger X5 and X6 siblings, the X1 features a plush cabin with plenty of potential for personalisation, which should see it appeal to off-road adventurers and urban warriors alike. There’s good space inside too to carry a full complement of passengers, with ride at the back that is firmly damped without becoming uncomfortable – we prefer the X1’s firm to ship-like wallowy, because then you would just end every fast-road journey feeling queasy, especially if you’re taking the b-road route, which we would in a heartbeat with the X1.

On the move, there’s decent zing from the turbocharged four-pot petrol engine to move the 1.5-tonne car around. For good or for ill, turbocharged engines these days give easy access to performance that used to be under the purview of performance cars. The 2.0-litre at the heart of the xDrive25i beats to the tune of 231bhp and 350Nm, which is good for a 235km/h top speed and 6.5 seconds sprint time from nought to 100km/h.

We also enjoyed a two-minute simulated off-road exercise, which was more to demonstrate the X1’s prowess in tackling adverse road conditions than sideways rally stage. It gamely clambered up inclines (and declines), as well as clung lizard-like to extreme gradients. I guess these days, it’s less about actually doing, but knowing that you can if you wanted to, and looking like you could all the time. – DAVID KHOO / PHOTOS: BMW

BMW X1 xDrive25i
Engine 1,998cc, 16V, inline 4, turbocharged
Power 231bhp at 5000-6000rpm
Torque 350Nm at 1250-4500rpm
Gearbox 8-speed automatic
Top Speed 235km/h
0-100km/h 6.5 seconds
Fuel efficiency 6.4L/100km
CO2 149g/km
Price $TBA
Availability Q4 2015