What’s the Difference Between an SAV and an SUV?

Most of us are familiar with the term “SUV,” which stands for “Sport Utility Vehicle.” SUVs are some of the most popular cars on the road today, thanks to their emphasis on “Utility.” Like the legendary Swiss Army Knife or those handy multi-tools, SUVs excel at practicality. They combine truck-like functionality with a sporty, car-like ride.

Which brings us to the question: “What is an SAV and how is it different from an SUV?” We’ll answer that in a moment. But first, a brief history lesson on how BMW’s first SAV came into being.

Breaking the Mold with a Timeless Design

In 1999, BMW introduced the world’s first “Sports Activity Vehicle®,” the stunning and precedent-setting BMW X5. According to Frank Stephenson, the X5’s original designer, BMW wanted to see how it could artfully blend BMW’s classic, “driver-centric” style, performance, and handling with Land Rover’s legendary off-roading capabilities (BMW owned Land Rover at the time).

The original BMW X5 SAV broke the mold by offering consumers a true luxury “sport-activity-vehicle” that embodied the pinnacle of practicality with BMW’s legendary sportiness. Since the X5’s debut more than 20 years ago, BMW has sold more than two million SAVs, spawning an entire lineup of SAV models in the process that offer a perfect balance of unrivaled practicality with unsurpassed sporty performance and handling.

SAV: Emphasizing an Active Luxury Lifestyle

By replacing the word “utility” with the word “active” in the SAV name, BMW placed a specific emphasis on how its SAVs perfectly complements an active, on-the-go luxury lifestyle, which is the primary distinction between an “SAV” and an “SUV.”

To demonstrate this point, we’ll highlight two of BMW’s most popular models for sale here at our premier Miami BMW dealership: The 2021 BMW X1 and the 2021 BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicles.

Affordable 2021 BMW X1 SAV Combines Convenience, Utility & Luxury

As the smallest and least expensive member of BMW’s SAV lineup, you might think that the 2021 BMW X1 might scrimp on space, quality, and luxury. But that’s not the case.

With its sporty styling inside and out, the X1 is every inch a luxurious BMW. You’ll find the X1 can comfortably seat five adults while offering up to 58.7 cubic feet of cargo space, so there’s plenty of room for everyone’s gear. Plus, the X1’s convenient 40/20/40 split-folding seats offer a variety of versatile people and cargo-carrying combinations. Standard roof rails also can accommodate various items, from luggage to skis to mountain bikes.

Powerful and Fuel Efficient

Powering the 2021 X1 is a potent, yet fuel-efficient, four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine mated to a smooth eight-speed STEPTRONIC Automatic Transmission that delivers 228 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque for lively performance. Handling is crisp and precise, thanks to the X1’s near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, along with standard Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control.

You can also equip your X1 with BMW’s top-flight xDrive intelligent All-Wheel-Drive system for the ultimate in handling and off-road performance.

As CarandDriver.com’s Drew Dorian points out, there’s a lot to like about the sporty X1, which earned it a 2021 Car and Driver Editor’s Choice Award as one of its top SUV choices based on its peppy turbo-four, crisp handling, and practical interior.

“On a twisty road, the ute comes alive and delivers much of the same crisp handling and ride refinement that the BMW brand is known for. Inside, the cabin is spacious for four adults, and the large cargo area will swallow suitcases, groceries, and bulky items with ease,” enthuses Dorian. “The X1’s eager driving dynamics and cargo-friendly cabin will please enthusiasts and pragmatists alike,” Dorian adds.

Luxurious High-Tech Interior

The X1 doesn’t scrimp on high-tech infotainment and safety features, either. Even in base trim, the X1 comes well-equipped with a large and easy-to-use 8.8-inch color touchscreen display that seamlessly integrates with BMW’s outstanding iDrive system. The X1 also features an excellent assortment of standard Active Driver Assistant safety features, including Lane Departure Warning, Frontal Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation, and Speed Limit Information.

Ingenious Tech

Inside, the X3 swaths its driver and passenger in contemporary BMW luxury and quality with supple leather seats, generous head-and legroom, and up to 62.7 cubic feet of commodious cargo capacity. The X3 also sets new standards of technological innovation. Its available Live Cockpit Professional consists of a 12.3-inch, fully digital instrument cluster that can display everything from driving directions to vital stats. Additionally, the X3 comes with a large 10.25-inch central information touchscreen an Intelligent Personal Assistant that allows you to control a variety of functions via voice command.

A Refined and Balanced Driving Experience

It’s behind the wheel where the 2021 BMW X3 truly comes into its own. Choose from several different powerplants, including a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine on the X3 30i and a more potent 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder M TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine on the X3 M40i. For the ultimate in performance and fuel efficiency, the X3 xDrive30e combines a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine with a powerful electric motor.

For the perfect balance of precise handling and advanced off-road capabilities, the X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 xDrive30e all come with BMW’s superlative xDrive All-Wheel Drive capability as standard equipment.

The 2021 BMW X3 SAV lineup continues to garner accolades from automotive reviewers and independent industry experts. Like its X1 SAV sibling, the X3 was also earned a Car and Driver Editor’s Choice Award as one of 2021’s best luxury SUVs.

Here are some of the 2021 X3’s rave reviews

“Even though it’s an SUV, the 2021 BMW X3 will surprise with its fun-to-drive nature, a hallmark of the brand’s sports sedans through the years. A trio of available powertrains provides plentiful performance, especially the gutsy turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six in the sportiest M40i model, which helped it earn an Editors’ Choice award. The turbocharged four-cylinder collaborates with the excellent eight-speed automatic to make easy passes in traffic and sips fuel on the highway.”
 Drew Dorian, Car and Driver

“Despite being a small SUV, the X3 relays driving excitement through its steering, handling, and engine sound. These attributes make it a bit more entertaining to snake up a mountain road or barrel through a freeway on-ramp than some other vehicles in the segment. The X3 has an instantly recognizable shape that looks somewhat like a miniature X5, and that’s a good thing. Whether it’s practicality, safety, comfort, technology, or performance you’re interested in, the X3 delivers.”
Mark Takahashi, Edmunds.com

New 2021 BMW X1 and X3 SAVs for Sale in Miami at Braman BMW

Discover why the new 2021 BMW X1 and X3 SAVs are the perfect choice for your active, luxury South Florida lifestyle at Braman BMW, South Florida’s premier BMW dealership. With one of the largest inventories of new BMWs for sale near Miami, we have an excellent selection of new 2021 BMW X1 and new 2021 BMW X3 models in stock and ready for delivery.

Our exclusive Braman Miami online inventory lets you shop for the BMW of your dreams from the comfort of your home. Contact us today at (786) 577-5220 for the best new BMW offers in South Florida. Or visit us today at 2060 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137.