YOU WANT TO give a car the kiss of death in South Africa? Just call it an estate, avant or station wagon and watch sales wither away into nothingness. You’ll have more luck trying to sell a Lions jerseys at Loftus than trying to peddle your mommy wagon.

I don’t get my countrymen’s loathing of estates. I love them. They handle like sedans but are far more practical thanks to all that extra space in the back. You even get 4x4 versions with decent ground clearance that will take you comfortably and safely on gravel if you need to go exploring.

Instead South Africans love their SUV’s. They adore the high seating position, the perceived extra space, the feeling of invincibility that comes from driving something bigger or a least as big as any other car on the road. And there’s always the dream of a cross-country African trip to hold on to. Or at least the knowledge that you can hop a pavement if there’s no parking place left in the school’s car park when you need to fetch little Johnny.

I’ve just spent two weeks driving BMW’s latest X-car, the X1, and examining it from every angle. BMW is calling it the first sports activity vehicle in the compact premium segment (a small luxury SUV in other words), but I’m now thinking a rose by any other name is still a rose. I’m calling this one a station wagon.

CIRCLE THE WAGONS

The most contentious part of this wagon is the exterior styling. Imagine a giant hand pressing hard on the roof of an X3, flattening and elongating it before dealing out a hard smack on the nose to flatten the front. You’re a lot closer to the ground than in an X3, but still slightly higher behind the wheel than you’d be in a 3 Series. Officially it’s called a ‘semi-command’ position, which presumably means you’re in full command in an X6 but unfortunately have less authority in a dinky1 Series.

Choose your colours, exterior trim and alloys well, and I contend the X1 will strike a more handsome pose than most other SUVs at the mall’s parking lot. If a bit of bling is your thing, go for the optional X Line package at R7 100. It’s basically a set of silver-painted inserts on the front and rear bumpers as well as on the side sills which together make the car pop a bit more. The best looking set of alloys will set you back another R13 800 though.

On the inside versatility is the name of this X-game. Clever storage spaces and cupholders abound, supplementing an otherwise very solid and traditional BMW interior. It’s a full five-seater, with a rear bench that splits and folds forward in a 40/20/40 configuration for when you want to slip long items like water-skis or surfboards through the rear hatch. Legroom at the back is good, even for adults. The angle of the rear seats can also be adjusted.