BMW X Series SUV models! Can you see the difference?

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"Sit Mercedes-Benz, Open BMW" – this is a well-known saying in China, showing that these two brands have earned great recognition among consumers and have become symbols of status. They are the earliest luxury cars to be widely recognized.

Of course, the performance of their products is beyond doubt. BMW cars, known for their driving dynamics, are no less impressive than the "Brilliance BMW" models produced in collaboration with Brilliance.

For example, the recent test drive of the new Brilliance BMW X1 SUV. Its style and quality make you wonder if there's a "Brilliance" logo on it or not.

The first thing that catches your eye is the iconic "double kidney" grille, but here it's larger, suggesting strong internal power. The sharp "angel eye" headlights with bold eyebrows are as bright and commanding as ever. The 3D front bumper gives a sense of stability, while the silver fog light trim and lower bumper add a youthful touch.

On the sides, the X1 looks stylish and powerful, giving a visual impression of speed and motion. The car appears more slender and dynamic.

You can also see its stylish "running shoes" – 225/50 R18 ContiSportContact5 SSR tires from Continental, featuring a snowflake pattern. The white body, black wheel arches, and silver alloy wheels create a dynamic and attractive look.

Finally, the rear design is full of character. The X1 uses curved lines to create a layered tail shape. Under the LED light strip, the "L"-shaped taillights resemble a red ocean dotted with silver lights, looking very modern. The addition of a black diffuser and silver accents adds more color to the back, while the dual exhaust pipes seem to loudly declare that it’s a powerful SUV with a "small" style – exaggerated, but impressive.

Interior

Inside, the BMW X1 features a black and brown combination. At first glance, it might seem a bit dull, but upon closer inspection, it's well-designed everywhere:

Silver trims and black-brown gaps give a refined look, and polished wood panels enhance the interior, making the car feel both stable and dynamic.

BMW’s human-centered design philosophy is evident in the interior layout. The center console is designed around the driver, and the asymmetrical layout offers a unique charm.

The leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel provides a comfortable grip and includes quick buttons for Bluetooth and entertainment, making it convenient for both driver and passengers.

The X1 features a disc-style instrument panel, with speed on the left and revs on the right. No large LCD screen in the middle? That’s because it uses a head-up display (HUD), projecting important information onto the windshield, allowing real-time speed control without compromising safety. It also allows brightness and height adjustments via the central control panel.

The central control panel has a vertical suspension design, giving a tech-savvy feel. Although only 8.8 inches, it's packed with features, including the latest iDrive system, and uses a knob below for easy navigation and settings.

The dual-zone automatic air conditioner, combined with a PM2.5 filter, ensures clean air inside the cabin. The premium sound system delivers high-quality audio experiences.

Practical features like push-button start, engine start-stop, stability control, hill descent control, and a one-touch trunk opener are all standard. Additional driving modes such as sport and eco are also available through the central control panel.

If you think the X1 is too small, you'll be surprised by its panoramic sunroof – a must-have for a comfortable ride.

The X1 didn’t disappoint me, whether it was about space or storage capacity.

Especially the spacious front and rear seats – sitting straight in the back, the legroom is more than two fists, offering flexible seating for people of all heights and weights.

The front and rear driver seats support multi-directional adjustment, including height and a leg rest that can be adjusted with a button. The rear seats fold down to expand the trunk space, increasing it from 420 liters to 1350 liters.

Power

In terms of power, the new BMW X1 offers a 1.5T three-cylinder and a 2.0T four-cylinder option. The tested xDrive20Li model comes with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering 141 kW (192 hp) at 1250–4600 rpm and 280 N·m of torque. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission from Aisin.

Known for driving dynamics, the new X1 offers better comfort without losing its original driving feel. The xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system ensures a smooth and responsive ride, with quick acceleration and precise handling. Turning feels stable and confident, making it easy to maneuver on any road.

To be honest, my test drive of the Brilliance X1 gave me a new perspective on Brilliance BMW. It's no longer just about low prices and poor quality. In reality, the X1 exceeded my expectations, and I had to admire: this is true BMW!

BMW X3:

The new 2018 BMW X3.

Like previous generations, the third-generation X3 is built in Spartanburg and is available with both four- and six-cylinder engines.

The xDrive all-wheel drive system is now standard on the new X3, though diesel options are not available.

The 2018 four-cylinder X3, named xDrive30i, is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. The six-cylinder M40i model uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six.

Although the new X3 still carries some traits of the previous small-displacement three-cylinder engines, the 2018 models are completely new. These engines have already been used in other BMW models like the 3 Series and 5 Series.

The xDrive30i produces 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is 8 hp more than the previous generation, but torque drops slightly. The M40i model is even more impressive, with 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque – a significant improvement over the previous version.

Both engines come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the M40i adds launch control.

Along with the upgraded powertrain, the 2018 X3 features a more aggressive and stylish design. The wheelbase has increased by 55.88 mm, making the overall look more attractive. The extended hood, sloped roofline, and raised C-pillar add a retro touch, reminiscent of the 2004 X3.

At the front, the new X3 has a redesigned air intake that aligns with the dashboard, and the headlights are moved to the edges of the fenders. BMW's signature grille, along with aerodynamic blinds, enhances both style and efficiency.

The rear has a slightly wider design, with new taillights and fenders that match perfectly. With a ground clearance of up to 203.2 mm and a wading depth of 497.84 mm, the X3 still retains some off-road capability, keeping up with vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The standard xDrive30i comes with 457.2 mm wheels and aluminum or silver finishes. For luxury upgrades, you can choose colored accents and chrome bumpers. The M Sport package adds a more aggressive bumper and 482.6 mm wheels, similar to the M40i.

Inside, the X3 cabin is driver-focused, featuring an electronic gear selector common in most BMW models. Standard features include power-adjustable sports seats, three-zone climate control, a 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat, and a front collision warning system.

Despite the longer wheelbase, the actual cabin volume remains similar to the previous generation, but the total storage space has increased by 0.028 cubic meters.

Unlike smaller models, the M40i features a more rear-biased all-wheel drive system, improved brakes, a dual exhaust, and enhanced suspension components, including modified springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. Both models offer adaptive dampers and four driving modes: Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, and Adaptive.

The M40i also includes an enhanced Sport+ mode. Other optional features include a panoramic sunroof, a larger 75% head-up display, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay compatibility, and BMW gesture control for hands-free interaction with the infotainment system.

Additional safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and driving assistance are available through an optional upgrade package.

The 2018 BMW X3 is expected to launch in November. While the official price hasn't been announced yet, based on the new engine, advanced technology, and standard all-wheel drive, we expect it to be priced higher than the previous rear-wheel-drive model, possibly starting at $41,045 or more.

Overall, although much of the information about the car is still under wraps, more details will be revealed as November approaches. Whether this new X3 will succeed remains to be seen, but time will tell.

BMW X5:

BMW X5 xDrive40e (