2018 BMW X3 vs BMW X1

What's the difference?

BMW's 'B58' six-cylinder engine is what's known in the trade as 'a cracker'. Three litres and a turbo's worth of silky smooth power, it delivers big dollops of torque with the kind of immediacy once reserved for much larger units.

It's already a perfect match for the M140i hatch, as well as the M240i coupe and convertible. And once you hit on a winning formula, why not spread the joy into the ever-growing world of SUVs?

Enter the X3 M40i, the first performance variant in BMW's compact SUV range, sitting just under $100k (before on-road costs) and aiming up at a quality field of similarly sized and specified performance versions like the Audi Q3, Jaguar F-Pace, Merc-AMG GLC, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC60.

The BMW X1 is the base camp at the foot of the German brand’s SUV model mountain, but there's more to it than entry-point affordability.

Did you know it’s not the smallest SUV in the line-up? Or that it has a roomier cabin than an X3?

And there are many other surprises from this small and seemingly sensible and small member of BMW’s X family.
Want to know more? Then read this range review of the X1.