CAR companies make all sorts of fanciful claims for their vehicles. An off-roader that handles like a sports car is one of the most common and least credible.Well here's a real-world achievement: a compact soft-roader that handles respectably. Indeed, the BMW X1, which officially goes on sale next weekend, doesn't just show the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester how to behave, it also dishes out a few lessons to other BMWs.Key to all this appears to be the extra suspension travel granted to the X1 to back up its faux soft-roader credentials. While this hardly makes it an off-roader, it does help the X1 soak up the terse ride of BMW's beloved run-flat tyres.Sampling the ponderously named, diesel-only X1 xDrive23d and xDrive20d this week, there is still too much intrusion from the road surface in both ride and noise. But the X1's plusher damping allows for extra cushioning, soaking up big and small hits better than most other modern-day BMWs.There is a clear advantage in biasing drive to the rear as the X1 does. While other compact soft-roaders are predominantly front-wheel-drive until slip is detected, the BMW works its rear wheels harder earlier, cornering with far better balance.An optional feature called Performance Control �� BMW's take on torque vectoring that brakes the inside rear wheel and accelerates the outer rear wheel �� helps control turn-in and quell understeer.The X1 also communicates quite clearly to the driver where the front wheels are pointing. Steering feedback was unheard of in this class, until now.A combination of the sensitive xDrive all-wheel-drive system that can send 100 per cent of drive front or rear, progressively tuned traction control and the fundamental engineering quality of architecture sourced from the 3-Series Touring, means the X1 scampers confidently on winding bitumen and gravel roads. It also behaves with a crispness impossible in any contemporary, the class-leading Volkswagen Tiguan included. In this aspect it justifies its pricing, which starts at almost $50,000 for the 20d, rising to almost $60,000 for the auto-only 23d.The 2.0-litre diesel engines in both the 130kW/350Nm 20d and150kW/400Nm 23d are as good as you expect, revving cleanly and strongly, displaying little lag and working well with their transmissions.The 23d's engine tune, in particular, is a beaut. It kicks in earlier and stronger and signs off later. It is also quieter. During our time together it averaged 8.3L/100km on a drive route that mixed suburban, country and dusty dirt road running. On a shorter, flatter run, the 20d finished at 6.9L/100km.The X1's rear-seat space is tight if one tall adult sits behind another. Exit and entry is also compromised by small rear doors. However, toe and headroom are excellent.Storage is better than other recent BMW efforts, with big door bins, nets on the seat-backs and even plastic brackets that divide the space in the under-floor luggage area.Inside, the presentation is totally orthodox BMW, which means efficient, precise and comfortable, rather than special. No, that adjective is reserved for the drive experience.In a class where dynamics have barely rated a mention, the X1 has set a new standard. Does that matter to customers? We are about to find out.BRUCE NEWTONFor more BMW X1 details and specifications, turn to Page 12