The New BMW 1 Series has a revamped look, an enhanced interior, a revised engine selection, and several features that you’d expect to see in larger, more expensive vehicles. However, with costs starting at £31,000—and the specific model we’re looking at here at £42,000—it’s definitely not a cheap option. Is it worth it? Let’s look into every detail.
Interior
Starting inside, the BMW 1 Series feels more like a big car, offering an impressively luxurious experience for a hatchback. The materials on the dashboard are soft and stylish, with a widescreen touchscreen and a digital driver’s display as standard on all models. The screen is sharp and responsive, though navigating some of the menus can be a bit challenging.
Gone is the older iDrive swivel wheel, which was handy for those who preferred not to use the touchscreen. However, this car features various display options on the digital driver’s display and even has a heads-up display for a futuristic feel. On the downside, there are some surprising quality issues in places like the trim on the door pockets and the cheap-feeling indicator stalks. Small areas like these detract from the premium experience, especially in a car costing over £40,000.
Price and Trims
The BMW 1 Series range kicks off at £31,000 for the Sport trim. Spending £33,000 will get you the M Sport model, which offers sportier styling, including an aggressive front bumper, M badging, and premium M Sport seats. These seats are possibly the most comfortable you’ll find in any small car currently available.
You also get the M Sport suspension with the M Sport model, which makes for a more engaging drive on twisty roads. This suspension is designed for flatter cornering, adding to the car’s sporty feel. However, you’ll have to move up to the M135i version if you want the high-performance 300-horsepower model with all-wheel drive.
Engines
BMW has revised the engine lineup for the 1 Series, removing the diesel option. Now, your choices include a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 170 horsepower or the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in the M135i with 300 horsepower. The 1.5-litre engine has a mild hybrid system, adding a little extra boost.
Performance-wise, the 1.5-litre can do 0-60 mph in a reported 7.8 seconds. However, without launch control, I managed to get around 8 seconds—still fairly brisk for a small hatchback.
Design
The new BMW 1 Series has a sporty and aggressive look, especially from the front, with design cues reminiscent of the M3. Wheel sizes start at 17 inches on the Sport model, with the M Sport getting 18 inches and the M135i going up to 19 inches. This particular model includes the M Sport Pro pack, adding red brake callipers, a rear spoiler, and black trim around the windows for a more dynamic look.
At the back, the design is sleek, though I’m not a fan of the fake diffuser and the hidden exhaust pipes, which are only visible on the M135i. Interestingly, the rear wiper is one of the most effective I’ve seen, providing excellent visibility.
Cool Features
Here are some standout features of the BMW 1 Series:
- Reversing Assistant – This feature allows the car to automatically retrace its steps, turning the steering wheel for you as it backs out of a tricky spot. It’s part of the Tech Pack Pro, which costs £2,750.
- Panoramic Sunroof – This adds natural light and can be opened. It’s available as a £1,050 option.
- Harman Kardon Sound System – This premium sound system costs £550 extra.
- Interior Lighting – Ambient lighting with colour options can be set to different colours, and the system even switches to BMW’s M colours in Sport mode.
- Split-Folding Seats – You can add split-folding seats with a through-loading function for £175 for extra practicality.
Annoying Features
Not everything about the 1 Series is perfect. Here are a few frustrating aspects:
- No Physical Climate Controls – All climate adjustments are done through the touchscreen, which can be a bit of a hassle.
- Low Roofline – The sloping roofline makes it easy to bump your head when getting in, especially if you’re tall.
- Power Meter Instead of a Rev Counter – The digital display shows a power meter instead of a traditional Rev Counter, which can be confusing.
- Cheap Key – The car key feels flimsy and comes in a pouch that’s so tight it’s hard to remove the key.
- Complicated Driving Mode Changes – You now need to press a button, navigate a menu on the screen, and then select your mode—an inconvenient two-step process.
Driving and Maneuverability
While driving, the BMW 1 Series offers plenty of power for overtaking, though it can lag slightly when accelerating from a standstill in Normal mode. Switching to Sport mode helps, as it engages the engine and gearbox more aggressively. However, the turning circle is slightly larger than competitors, at 11.7 meters, which can make tight turns a bit tricky. The light steering and rear cameras do help with manoeuvrability.
Boot Space
The mild hybrid system takes up some space, reducing boot capacity to 300 litres. With the M135i, you get 380 litres, as it doesn’t include the mild hybrid setup.
Highway Driving
The 1 Series is a comfortable cruiser on the motorway. The seats provide excellent support, and the cabin remains quiet. Although road noise is noticeable, it’s not excessive. Fuel economy is decent as well, averaging around 42 mpg on this model.
Back Seats
Space in the back is adequate, though headroom may be tight for taller passengers. Fitting a baby seat is possible, though the roofline can make it a bit challenging.
Storage
The 1 Series excels in storage solutions, with large door bins, a decent glove box, and a central storage compartment. Cup holders and USB-C ports are conveniently placed for both front and rear passengers.
Is the BMW 1 Series a Good Car?
So, should you avoid, consider, shortlist, or buy the BMW 1 Series? w’d recommend shortlisting it. The BMW 1 Series is a premium-feeling hatchback with loads of features, but the higher price tag might make you think twice.
