The BMW 1 Series has long been a contender for the best family of premium hatchbacks, by virtue of its appeal to those looking both for utility and a healthy dose of glitz.
However, all is not rosy among some BMW enthusiasts: the latest in the series, the third generation, now has front-wheel drive rather than rear-. But for the majority of drivers out there, the front-wheel drive has actually made it a far more accomplished and accommodating family car. Also, previous versions in the series frankly just didn’t live up to the hype of BMW’s audacious Ultimate driving machine slogan. Only the most powerful (and expensive) models had any chance of meeting drivers’ expectations in that regard, because only they could take advantage of the rear-wheel drive setup.
The 1 Series gives drivers a choice of diesel and petrol engines, and some of its pricier models incorporate four-wheel drive for that extra degree of roadholding. Lots of its mechanicals are drawn from the BMW X2 SUVs and BMW X1, as well as various Minis. But before we delve into the ins and outs of the 1 Series, let’s check out its key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £27,000–£43,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £10,000–£13,000 / £192–£273 a month |
| Trims | 5 |
| Engines | 6 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, diesel |
| mpg range across all versions | 38–61 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years/No mileage cap |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £2,000/£3,000 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £3,000/£6,000 |
Equipment, options and extras
The BMW 1 Series has three main trim levels. Entry-level SE covers the basics, and makes sense if you’re looking to save a bit of cash, but it’s not exactly brimming in features: expect 16in alloy wheels, cruise control, auto lights and wipers—and that’s your lot. Maybe that’s all you need. But if you’re looking for a more luxurious driving experience, Sport adds in dual-zone climate control, sports seats and exterior styling tweaks, including 17in wheels.
We recommend the M Sport trim—if only for that stupendous suspension that’s got industry heads turning. It also brings more distinctive styling, as well as some other goodies thrown in for good measure—think heated front seats, leather trim and power-folding door mirrors. Or perhaps the 128ti hot hatch is more up your street. It comes with its own trim: black and red exterior trim with matching interior accents, bespoke bodykit, and an M Sport steering wheel. There’s also a whole host of go-faster treats to boot, like beefier brakes, tweaked suspension and a limited-slip differential.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The BMW 1 Series sits at the more expensive end of the spectrum of family cars, closely reflecting the prices of competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. It will hold on to a higher percentage of its cash price against depreciation compared to an equivalent A-Class, but the A3 has even stronger resale value.
The 1 Series’ fuel economy broadly matches those of the A-Class and A3, although the A200d can eke out a few more mpg than the 118d diesel, and the 118i petrol is a fair bit thirstier than the A200 or A3 35 TFSI. If you’re a company car driver and want to stick with diesel, the 1 Series is RDE2-compliant, meaning you don’t have to pay the 4% diesel surcharge on your company car tax bill.
Safety and security
The safety experts at Euro NCAP awarded the BMW 1 Series a full five stars, although it’s only fair to point that it didn’t score as high as the Mercedes A-Class when it came to adult occupant and pedestrian protection.
The 1 Series comes with an immense amount of safety equipment, not least lane departure warning, speed limit assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and a system warning you if you’re too close to the car in front. What’s more, you can opt for the Driving Assistant package (available on all trim levels) for enhanced AEB, which monitors blind spots and pedestrians and includes rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.
Reliability
In petrol form, the BMW 1 Series is one of the most reliable cars in the family car class—although the previous 1 Series (2011–19) was actually rated even better. The 1 Series is covered by a 3-year and unlimited-mileage warranty, matching the cover offered by the Mercedes A-Class and beating Audi’s 3-year and 60,000-mile warranty.
The Car Planet verdict
The arena of the premium family car is extremely competitive, yet the BMW 1 Series is right up there as one of the best. But only one of the best—leading the pack remains the Audi A3. But don’t knock it: the 1 Series delivers a refined blend of ride comfort, driver appeal and helpful practicality, although easily its most notable strengths are its eye-popping interior and exceptional infotainment system.
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