BMW X1 Ground Clearance: What To Know
2015-2017 BMW X1 by EurovisionNim — CC BY-SA 4.0
The BMW X1 ground clearance for 2021 (and the preceding five years) is 7.2 inches. This is below the general rule of 8.5 in. of ground clearance required for most off-roading activities.
While this is lower than the suggested level, there are many significant advantages to the BMW X1’s ground clearance, including ultra-light off-roading. If you’re looking to get into more serious off-roading or need an extra inch of clearance to navigate that uneven road leading to your private winter wonderland cabin, there are basic steps you can take, such as installing a lift kit, to get the extra clearance you need.
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A vehicle’s ground clearance speaks to much more than how many obstacles it can overcome. The ride’s handling, speed, visibility, wear and tear, and more are all affected by ground clearance.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the activities ground clearance permits and those it may limit for the 2021 BMW X1.
What Is Ground Clearance?
The minimum distance between the lower end of the vehicle (chassis) and the road is known as ground clearance. When calculating ground clearance, some manufacturers do not consider how much passenger or cargo weight will affect it. This is crucial to consider before taking your BMW X1 into a situation where a miscalculation could damage the vehicle.
Higher ground clearance is always favorable when piloting an uneven (or worse) road. One of the things you always want to avoid on such roads is bottoming out. Knowing your vehicle’s ground clearance and any other capabilities that assist it will help you avoid costly damages.
As stated above, to execute even minor off-roading, a vehicle should have a ground clearance of at least 8.5 inches.
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2021 BMW X1 ground clearance: 7.2 in.
Why Does Ground Clearance Matter?
There are several reasons why BMW X1 ground clearance is important. Visibility, handling, and more are all affected in one way or another. We will explore these in detail later in the article.
BMW X1 Angles
Even with the ultra-light off-roading suitable to a BMW X1, one must know angles, in addition to ground clearance, of the SUV to avoid becoming stuck and/or experiencing severe damage.
Departure and Approach Angles:
The maximum angle a 2021 BMW X1 can descend before its tail end drags is the departure angle. The approach angle is the maximum angle it can climb before the bottom end of the vehicle makes contact with the ground.
2021 BMW X1:
· Approach angle: 17.7 degrees
· Departure angle: 20.6
Breakover Angle:
The breakover angle is the maximum angle a BMW X1 can traverse without the middle of the SUV’s undercarriage coming into contact with the ground, rocks, or other terrains. With a luxury SUV like an X1, the breakover angle will most likely only come into the picture if you increase the BMW X1 ground clearance in order to travel over severe terrain off the beaten path. Similar to ground clearance, best practice is to add a few inches to protect your vehicle from becoming stuck or experiencing other damages.
2021 BMW X1:
· Breakover angle: 16.7 degrees
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Over the Years
Since its first release in 2009, BMW X1 ground clearance has changed. Here is a listing of years and ground clearances for the BMW X1 from 2009 – 2021.
X1 Ground Clearance
2009 – 2012: 7.6 in.
2013 – 2015: 7.0 in.
2016 – 2021: 7.2 in.
Permitted Activities
Ground clearance in SUV vehicles like the BMW X1 opens up a world of backroads (though not rocky ones) otherwise unavailable to us. While a sedan with a lower ground clearance would bottom out and/or cause serious damage on an uneven road, the X1 ground clearance, while modest, is still much greater. In this section, we will cover several activities the X1’s ground clearance opens up. We will also examine some of the benefits of ground clearance that often go unnoticed.
Light off-roading:
The truth is, some of the most scenic areas of the world are only reachable by unpaved roads. Perhaps you even have an off-the-grid cabin that you enjoy with your family and friends. While a ground clearance of 7.2 inches isn’t enough to participate in rock crawls, dune bashing, mudding, or other high-impact off-road activities, it will get you and your passengers to your off-the-beaten-path destination safely as it is much more capable of navigating uneven roads with bumps and holes than cars with lower ground clearance.
The 2021 BMW X1 will take you places sedans and non-SUVs never could. This also rings true to driving snowy, slushy, sandy, or muddy roads. Since the vehicle is sitting at a higher level than other cars, there is less obstacle to overcome.
Inclines and declines:
You may experience steep inclines and declines on your drive to your weakened cabin getaway or driving through a city like San Francisco. The ground clearance on the 2021 BMW X1 allows you to drive steep inclines and declines without the fear of getting stuck. Though, as previously mentioned, every obstacle is unique and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Better visibility:
Anyone who has ever been in an SUV or truck can tell you how sitting above all the other cars on the road provides increased visibility, and increased visibility leads to an increase in safety.
Handling:
The higher a car sits, the greater the chance at un-precise handling and rollovers. The 2021 BMW X1 is, in a way, the best of both worlds when it comes to ground clearance. It is high enough to go some places sedans cannot while remaining low enough to provide good handling and not significantly increase the risk of a rollover.
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Prohibited Activities
The 2021 BMW X1 is an SUV, though not in the same mold of those you see romping through deep mud or traversing rocks not meant for driving. It is important to remember that repairs resulting from off-roading incidents are much more costly in a luxury SUV like the 2021 BMW X1 than something like a 4Runner from the late 90s.
Of even more importance is your safety. If you’re looking to get an X1 into more serious off-roading shape, please consult a 4x4 expert first so they can set you up with all the necessary bells and whistles.
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