THE X1 may be the smallest of the BMW X family, but believe me, it's very big on performance and quality.

BMW modelled the X1 on the mighty X5 but scaled everything down to produce the very first compact sports activity vehicle and it is ready to take on any challenge set before it.

From the second you lay eyes on the vehicle with its rugged lines, you know it is going to be perfect for anyone who enjoys an active, fun-packed lifestyle with plenty of thrills and spills thrown in. The X1 boasts striking alloys, flared wheel arches, tough shoulder lines and very neat light clusters.

And the impressive design spec continues inside the vehicle too with a whole array of first class features and trims. There is ample room to accommodate five adults who all benefit from plenty of leg and headroom and there is a vast amount of storage options apart from the very generously-sized boot.

The cabin has a very nice light and spacious feel to it thanks to the large windows which allow the sunlight to flood in from all directions.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include dual-zone climate control, Nevada leather seats, a multi-function leather sports steering wheel, an excellent audio system with MP3 compatibility, an on-board computer and loads more.

And the model supplied for my drive also included BMW's comfort package which added front parking sensors, rain-sensing headlights and wipers plus an automatically dimming rear view mirror.

This model also boasted four-wheel-drive capabilities although there are models that are just two-wheel-drive if required.

And there was nothing small about the performance either. The 2.0-litre diesel-driven engine produced plenty of power and the six-speed manual transmission was very smooth.

In busy city centres, the X1 seemed to glide effortlessly through the crowds and it was here that its good looks attracted plenty of attention too. The automatic start/stop technology is another bonus in heavy traffic and helps to improve fuel efficiency.

Then, out on faster motorways, the first noticeable factor was how quiet the cabin noise was - even at higher speeds. And all lumps and bumps were easily dealt with by the highly efficient suspension.

The high-seated driving position means the driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility although it can be a little restricted through the rear window.

As one would expect, BMW has kitted out the X1 with a whole host of top notch safety features including anti-lock brakes, dynamic traction control, run-flat tyres, numerous airbags and plenty more besides.