See all New Car Reviews
As the smallest and cheapest BMW, the 1 Series is one of the most critical products in the brand’s line-up. After all, family hatchbacks are some of the most popular cars you can buy, and premium examples are highly desirable. But when the stakes are this high, the competition is fierce, and the 1 Series has to compete with some of the best in the business, including the recently refreshed Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3. To ensure it’s competitive, the 1 Series has had a facelift of its own, earning a new nose, new tech and new engines, but is that enough?
Divisive design
As part of the update, the 1 Series now has a new front end with a lower nose and a wider grille, while there are new bumpers all around and new lights. And if you get the high-performance version, the M135 xDrive, there are new four-outlet exhausts. However, we think the new look is less attractive than that of the outgoing 1 Series. The new nose looks a bit squashed, and though it looks fine on camera, it isn’t quite so attractive in the metal. At least BMW has decided against fitting a massive grille.
Instead, the company has satisfied itself with a massive multi-screen display across an otherwise clean, minimalist dashboard. The curved housing accommodates both the touchscreen infotainment system and the digital instrument display, and both are very sharp, crisp and quick to respond to commands. They’re configurable, too, which means you can see the information you want immediately, and they look pretty smart.
But with very few buttons knocking around, the touchscreen has its work cut out dealing with everything from climate control to driving mode selection, as well as all the usual media and navigation features. In fairness, the speed of the processor means it’s well equipped to deal with all that, and BMW’s logical approach means simple functions such as temperature controls are all easily accessible. But you can’t help feeling a set of buttons would have been a better bet.
Lacking space
BMW seems to have dropped the ball a bit in terms of cabin quality, too. While the 1 Series is still among the most upmarket family hatchbacks, there are some questionable plastics on display as the company attempts to meet the demands of efficiency legislation while still turning a profit. Still, the 1 Series feels solidly constructed – more so than some of BMW’s bigger new models, including the latest X3 – even if some of the materials leave something to be desired.
Space is a bit of a sticking point, too, with the basic 120 model getting just 300 litres of boot space. That’s considerably less than you get in a VW Polo, and it leaves the BMW lacking in that department, even though rear cabin space is perfectly adequate for adults. Fortunately, the more performance-orientated M135 xDrive model gets 380 litres of luggage space, which is much more competitive in this class. We can only conclude that the difference is down to the packaging of the 120’s mild-hybrid system, which is designed to make it more economical.
Frugal and fast
And the 120 certainly provides economy. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine may produce 156hp, but that mild-hybrid technology allows it to bump the total output up to 170hp, which heads to the front wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox. That means it’ll get from 0-100km/h in less than eight seconds, which is more than fast enough for everyday driving, and the off-beat three-cylinder engine makes a pleasant noise while it’s hard at work.
However, perhaps more importantly, the system allows the car to burn less than six litres of petrol every 100km, which makes it enormously efficient. That’s the sort of economy you expect from diesel-powered vehicles, and the tax-deciding CO2 emissions aren’t much higher, either.
For those who value performance, though, the M135 xDrive will harbour more appeal. With 300hp from its 2.0-litre petrol engine, as well as a clever all-wheel-drive system, the high-powered 1 Series is monstrously fast in a straight line, albeit with a noticeable reduction in fuel economy
Driver’s dream
Where both 1 Series models excel, though, is in the corners. BMW is famed for its cars’ driver engagement, and the 1 Series carries the weight of expectation ably, with precise steering and effective brakes, as well as suspension that keeps the car’s body from leaning too much in corners. Of course, there’s a bit of a comfort penalty to pay for that – neither the 120 nor the M135 is the most comfortable car in its class – but the 1 Series rides tidily and with great composure, even if it’s a little stiff.
It looks a little expensive, too, with a starting price of just over €41,000, but bear in mind that’s for a car with an automatic gearbox and ample power. You’ll pay much the same for the equivalent Audi A3, and the 1 Series is a slightly better car to drive. It comes with lots of goodies, too, including the big screens, climate control and a reversing camera, as well as heaps of safety tech.
So, while the 1 Series isn’t perfect – some will dislike the ride and the cramped boot – and it may not necessarily lead the class by a country mile, that’s down to the quality of the competition, rather than the BMW’s blunder. This is still one of the best cars in the sector.
What next for BMW?
With such a huge model range that’s constantly being refreshed and updated, it’s no surprise to see BMW is busy at the moment. The company has just launched the new X3 and the new M5 super-saloon, while the electric replacement for the existing 3 Series is expected to arrive next year. We’re also expecting an M version of the X3 in the coming months, followed by a new electric SUV based on the same ‘Neue Klasse’ underpinnings as the aforementioned 3 Series replacement.