MT's X1 vs Evoque vs Allroad article

[ScottE]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._rover_evoque/

A decent read.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[RDM3]

I was not happy to see Braking 60-0 mph 134 ft - much longer than the other two.

[famfmann]

Thanks for the link! Always nice to read a review with detailed praise for the X1, especially the fun to drive aspects. But, I disagree with MT that the Audi All Road is a fair competitor. It's as compact (read: long) as a F31 wagon, so, not compact like the e46 used to be.

[Grovsnus]

At least as important as the braking distance is how well the car maneuvers while being braked, and here BMW traditionally does quite well. This in part because of the weight distribution and in part because of a relatively stiff front suspension. Range Rover has traditionally done badly on evasive tests, but the Evoque is a different animal, so it would be interesting to see some test results for the X1 and Evoque (the Audi already has various test results, and appear to be pretty mid-range).

[kychungkevin]

I was thinking the poor braking performance have a lot to do with the tires; but seeing Allroad have the same tires and does much better tells me something's not right in x1 system. Pads perhaps?
Also MT list 13" front/back brake disc on X1 spec, is that wrong?

[nospam]

I think the Allroad has conventional tires and a spare vs runflats for the X1.

[HotRodW]

A subscriber for decades, I don't always agree with MT comparison tests. I think they nailed this one, however. While the steering was discussed briefly, I'm surprised more wasn't made of the braking distances. Car and Driver dinged the X1 big time for its poor braking. I still think the Evoque is the best looking CUV on the market by a wide margin. As pretty as it is to look at, it's too bad the little Rover doesn't quite measure up dynamically.

[Red Bread]

The Evoque drives really well, provided you don't want any power. Handling is great, brakes are good and the build quality feels like a massively higher level of car than the X1. It just has no stones.

The X1 28i braking is hurt by poor US pad spec, small rotors (same issue as the F30 328i) and the subpar tires. As noted, the Allroad runs the same tire, albeit non RFT, since VAG isn't in bed with the stupid RFT camp. The 35i at least has decent sized brakes, but is similarly hurt by the US pad choice and silly tires.

[Tirpitz]

I didn't cross shop the Allroad when I bought my X1. We don't have an Audi dealer close by but more importantly the starting price for the base Allroad was over my budget. As soon as I put anything I wanted on the car it was really more than I was wanting to spend. I'm not surprised that the car with the higher starting price was the winner. A more proper comparison will be between the Allroad the the 3 series Touring which I'm guessing will have a sticker price closer to the Allroad.

I would have looked at the A3 but it didn't have enough cargo room and I was put off by the power and mileage ratings. I see a lot of them around here and to my eye they are very nice looking cars.

[nospam]

The Evoque was our original choice. Concerns over visibility, reliability and maintenance costs brought us back to BMW and the X3. I didn't realize that the X1 was in the US or that they had fixed many of the flaws with the LCI (reviews in 2001 were not very flattering). I have not seen the Allroad in person but it looks too much like a station wagon. My wife has forbidden me to call the X1 a wagon and she hates minivans.

Looks
1. Evoque by far IMHO
2. X1
3. Allroad

Performance
1. X1 by far IMHO

Performance of the X1 was the kicker for me. My wife is expecting and wanted more utility. I need the higher ride height for my bad back but didn't want to sacrifice the BMW steering and performance I was used to. We test drove the M Sport x28i and I was hooked. My wife liked driving the X1 the best but still wanted the X3 for the size and power liftgate. I felt the X3 was truck-like in comparison to the X1. Since she refused to trade-in her 128i my 335i went and we settled on the X1. I felt the N20 had enough juice (the N54 was really more than I needed), and I can always add a BMS piggyback. I had become to like the lighter 128i better than the 335i anyway.

[ScottE]

I went the X1 route primarily because of its utility/performance equation and am enjoying it no matter what the thing gets called - crossover, SAV, tall wagon, etc. (although I prefer wagons). I agree the Evoque is the looker by a wide margin, but I find the X1's geeky charm is growing on me every month. It's got just enough style to hang with the cool crowd and it's plenty fun in corners and straights. It'll be interesting to see how the premium compact crossover market expands as more competitors jump in. Feel like we're early adopters in this niche, although I kinda hope we stay unique for a little while longer.

[MusclesCoupe]

gotta tell you guys my msport 35 is a blast to drive

[Blue Bottle]

and great to look at, I still smile when I see other X1's on the road...great car

[FStephenMasek]

They failed to address the 40-20-40 rear set in the X1, a major feature which makes it vastly more useful than vehicles with 40-60 rear seats. It is also an option on the X3. Even better, it flods flat and level witht eh rear cargo area in the X1. Is the Audi Q5 the only other vehicle with a 40-20-40 rear seat? We looked at the Q5 at the San Diego Auto Show, and did not like it nearly as much as the X1 - the interior looked lower in quality, there were fewer storage palces, the center armrest was already squeeking, and the sun galss holder was already broken.

[nospam]

I saw the Audi Allroad in person finally. Didn't seem much different than my neighbor's A4 wagon. Wife said it looks like a wagon 100%. At least the X1 is a suedo wagon/SAV. Q5 seems more comparable.

We still envy the Evoque in the looks department, but performance puts the X1 over the top.

[nospam]

Thread: Photoshoot: X1 versus A4 Allroad Touring

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by Marc@schnellwerkes.com

gotta tell you guys my msport 35 is a blast to drive

Yeah, would have to agree. These are a lot of fun to drive. A big reason I was able to switch.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by CIWS

Yeah, would have to agree. These are a lot of fun to drive. A big reason I was able to switch.

Would be nice if they at least gave the 35i the 8sp. Or better yet, 6mt.

[nospam]

I saw the Allroad again today. It simply does not belong in this comparison (should have been Infiniti EX instead). The Allroad is comparable to the F31 3-series wagon.

[nospam]

I just learned that the Evoque's panaromic moonroof is fixed and doesn't open. Big oversight in my book as this is one of my favorite features of the X1.

[HotRodW]

Originally Posted by nospam

I just learned that the Evoque's panaromic moonroof is fixed and doesn't open. Big oversight in my book as this is one of my favorite features of the X1.

Yes and no. As an allergy sufferer, I can no longer enjoy an open roof most days. But I like keeping the shade open to brighten the cabin when it's not too hot. Plus, some cars with pano roofs suffer from chronic roof rattles, squeaks. leaks and/or malfunctions. There have been many debates on the Audi forums about the topic, and a surprising number of owners claim they would have deleted the option from the Premium Plus package if Audi would have offered a cost credit. (It can be deleted, but there is no price adjustment, yet it's a $1,500 option on the lower trim package.)

[Naambezet]

Originally Posted by nospam

I have not seen the Allroad in person but it looks too much like a station wagon.

Should I tell you a secret?
The A4 and A6 Allroads ARE estates/stations/breaks/tourer/whatever you want to call them.
And the X1 is also homologated as stationwagen.