BMW X1 xDrive 20d

Space in the back is surprisingly good. Don't come expecting 1-series levels of space here because leg room, naturally enough, seems to mirror the 3-series, while there's plenty of head room. The rear seat backrests are adjustable and split and fold 40/20/40. With a shorter overall length than a 3-series, though, the boot is a little smaller.

Our test car was an X1 xDrive20d manual, a ridiculously contrived moniker to indicate that it's an X1 with four-wheel drive (rear-drive cars are sDrive) and the 2.0-litre diesel engine making 174bhp. As with most BMWs, it gets a range of Efficient Dynamics ancillaries and returns 51.4mpg on the combined cycle, with a CO2 output of 153g/km.

We'd only go for four-wheel drive if you need it, though; the drag of the permanent four-wheel drive system via a central clutch, which can apportion power entirely to the front or rear, makes the xDrive's economy, while good for the class, worse than a 2WD X1, which returns 53.3mpg and 139g/km.

So what's it like to drive? Think tall 3-series with a bit more roll and you won't be far off.

At town speeds the ride could be cleverer. The X1 rides on run-flat tyres (optional 40-profile 18-inchers on the test car), so it's knobbly over low-speed sharp inputs – expansion joints, drain covers and the like. It's not particularly compliant. Up the speed, though, and it improves somewhat, plus the chassis control is fairly tight for a taller car, so the X1 turns with sufficient enthusiasm and a fair degree of poise.

Its steering, hydraulically assisted, is accurate and well weighted. Optional, as on the X6, is Performance Control, which brakes an inside wheel to cut understeer, a bit like an electronic limited-slip differential.

The engine is pretty smooth and has a broad powerband but is grumblier at idle than we'd like. Otherwise, there's a little wind noise around the A-pillars, but overall refinement is good.

Should I buy one?

This is the key question, I suppose. The cynic might ask why you'd have a taller, heavier and less efficient car than one BMW already produces.

Yet the X1 positions itself quite neatly to counter this argument. It's more expensive than a 1-series (and vastly more practical), yet it's not as expensive as a 3-series Touring.

It doesn't feel quite as complete as a 3-series, but for those who need the versatility of its tallness it's worth a punt.