On sale since 2009, BMW's baby SUV has proved popular with fleet and retail alike, with 119,000 sold in the UK across two-generations. 

The biggest news is that it has grown. Now built on the UKL platform, it gets a 22mm longer wheelbase. As such, it is 53mm longer and 44mm taller - bringing the overall length at 4,500mm, very close to the X1's bigger brother the X3. 

As a result, the interior offers impressive levels of space. In the front, the driving position is excellent - with plenty of room and adjustment so even the tallest can get comfortable. Move to the back, and there's more head and legroom than you might expect. The 540-litre boot is bigger than most rivals, too.  

On top of the space, the X1's interior design feels more premium. Very similar to the 2 Series Active Tourer, like that car and all the recent BMW launches, it's fitted with the latest curved infotainment display - made up of two screens. The first is for the instruments and measures 10.25in, while the other measures 10.7in and is for the infotainment. 

The latter is via  BMW's latest OS8 software, and in general is easy to use, although you're encouraged to use the voice control system - which doesn't always work. Physical controls are sadly missed -even if they appear to no longer be in fashion. Elsewhere, the floating centre console houses the gear selection buttons. 

Outside, the X1 looks familiar - but different. You can't miss the large kidney grilles, but elsewhere there are slim LED headlights and an aggressive front air dam - which on our more off-road focussed xLine adds a skid plate and metal detailing. At the side, there's more underbody protection, sharp wheel arch detailing and flush door handles. The most noticeable design feature at the back of the X1, are the long and high-set, three-dimensional rear light clusters, plus another skid plate at the bottom of the bumper.

The X1 is powered by a range of 48V mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even electric power (see separate review). Mild hybrids are the sDrive2.0i, the xDrive23i we had and the xDrive23d diesel. The mild hybrid system is made up of a 19hp electric motor integrated into the seven-speed automatic transmission. It acts as a starter generator, equalling smoother operation of the start/stop systems, but also gives welcome extra power when pulling away or overtaking. 

The 23i engine which we drove, and is mostly new, is available with Sport, xLine, and M Sport equipment grades. We were told fleet demand would be mostly focussed on the M Sport grade. ICE petrol and diesel are expected to be the next most popular after the EV models, with 20% of the UK market, with plug-ins closely following with 14%. This is a shame, as the plug-in xDrive30e and xDrive25e offer 7.4kWh charging and up to 56 miles EV-only driving, which will equal a low BIK figure when they arrive in 2023. 

Best described as willing and revvy, this engine needs Sport mode to come alive - but then gets coarser. Well-matched to the seven-speed automatic transmission, which chooses the right gear in full-auto - or is responsive on the paddles.