BMW X1 sDrive20d SE

Price: £24,205
Top speed: 127mph 0-62mph 8.1 seconds
Consumption: 53mpg (combined cycle)
CO2 emissions: 139g/km
Best for: those too embarrassed to own a proper SUV
Also worth considering? Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan

It's always nice to see a vehicle manufacturer putting the rulebook to one side, and defining their own niche rather than following the crowd. BMW did just that more than a decade ago with the creation of their X Series, starting with the X5 4x4, which was subsequently joined by the smaller X3, and the more road-dominant X6.

In the two years since the model line-up was last extended, the Bavarian automaker has now produced the baby of the family, the X1, by borrowing the platform of the 1-Series hatchback. The five-door X1 is, in BMW's own words, a premium sports activity vehicle – which means it's a close relative of the crossover rather than a traditional SUV. It's also likely to remain unchallenged in the sector until the arrival of Land Rover's long-awaited LRX and the Audi Q3 next year.

The X1 comes in either two- or four-wheel drive trim ranging from the 143bhp sDrive18d SE to the flagship 204bhp 4WD xDrive23d, and all models are diesel. We drove the real-wheel drive manual 177bhp sDrive20d SE, and although not luxurious, the interior is well put together, and comfortable, with generous room in the rear for luggage. Plenty of equipment comes as standard, including stop-start technology. The sweeping profile of the car also means that you sit in a somewhat elevated position, thereby providing good all-round visibility.

On the road, the steering is accurate and communicative, and the well-tuned handling makes this crossover wannabe an absolute joy to drive. The two-litre engine has plenty of power, and quickly comes into its element at 1,500rpm with the boost of the single turbocharger. Although you can still hear the diesel hum in the background, it is pleasantly subtle, and the cabin noise is refined.

The only detail you can really fault in BMW's X-rated addition is its transmission. Despite the ratios being well defined, the six-speed manual gearbox is a little clunky, and finding reverse requires a bit more effort than you would like.

Overall, the X1 is a solid all-rounder, and if you're looking for an affordable proposition that has plenty of room for the family, and breaks away from the status quo, it is definitely worth adding to the shopping list.

Simon Wittenberg was the highest bidder at last year's Independent Christmas Charity Auction for the chance to road-test and review a new car in these pages