BMW 1 Series Review

Gumtree Rating

4.0 rating

The latest BMW 1 Series makes the switch from rear-wheel drive (RWD) to the more conventional front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. This removes the unnecessary weight of its previous version, providing more useful space and overall making for a more efficient ride. It’s a slick looking hatchback, and if making your friends jealous of your BMW is a bonus, then you’ll love the large shark’s mouth grille. Evidently, this car’s been designed with younger drivers in mind – it’s aimed at a demographic keen for connectivity and practicality rather than an enthusiast’s concern for RWD.

Visit the BMW 1 Series model page to learn more about the model.

What we think about the BMW 1 Series

BMW’s moved away from its tradition as a RWD car, creating a 1 Series that’s a vast improvement on its predecessor by any conventional measure.

Pros

+

More spacious than before

+

Powerful engine that packs a punch

+

Dynamic and nimble

Cons

Lacks some of the joy of a RWD BMW

Slightly restricted rear view

The 1 Series comes in four trim levels with five engine options. Of the two petrol options, the cheaper is the 1.5-litre 118i. Its big brother is the most expensive with 306 bhp, reaching 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. The three diesel options offer improved fuel economy – the 116d provides 61.4 mpg and emits 100 g/km of CO2.

Driving performance of the Bmw 1 Series

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

Is the lack of RWD likely to leave an empty void? Not unless you’re going extremely fast. Instead, you can enjoy the all-round excellent refinement of the ride. Thanks to its lower engine with reduced wind noise, you’ll quietly purr along the motorway and stick to twisting country roads without so much as a whisper. The suspension comes with five options but they all feel pretty standard in everyday driving, nudging towards firm but stopping short of uncomfortable.

Safety and reliability of the Bmw 1 Series

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

The BMW 1 Series scored a 5-star rating in its independent Euro NCAP crash testing. There are plenty of additional safety options available too – pedestrian-detection braking, lane-departure warning, a driving assistant pack (featuring proactive driving assist, lane collision warning and cross-traffic warning), adaptive cruise control and park assist. Unfortunately, many of these appealing features require an expensive box to be ticked, so it’ll set you back a little more than expected if you want them all.

Under the bonnet of the Bmw 1 Series

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The 118i leads the range in terms of power, with a 3-cylinder, 1.5-litre, turbo-charged petrol engine giving 140 bhp – punchy enough to hit 60 mph in approximately eight seconds. Its top speed of 132 mph can be reached by cycling through its six- or seven-speed gearbox. The 1 Series’ most powerful trim – the M135i xDrive – produces enough power to reach a top speed 155 mph from 306 bhp, breezing past 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Its diesel engine siblings offer 4-cylinder 1.5 and 2.0-litre engines, ranging from 116 to 150 bhp.

What you'll find in the Bmw 1 Series

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Hatchbacks often present the taller among us with a sense of foreboding. Thankfully, BMW have finally recognised this and increased the height and width of the latest 1 Series (just barely, mind). Even with these changes, the headroom remains pinching in the backseat, but you can stretch your legs markedly more than in the previous model. BMW have done their homework, styling the 1 Series for a younger demographic – making it available in a wider range of colours with fresh geometric textures, while retaining a high level of quality.

Comfort and interiors in the Bmw 1 Series

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

The generous, spacious feel of the BMW 1 Series continues inside the car itself. BMW have added an extra 20 litres of space in the boot, totalling up to an impressive 380 litres. This is combined with a practical wide boot-lid and a useful cavity under the floor that replaces the spare tyre. Two ISOFIX child seat mounts come as standard in the back, as do the two USB-C charge points in the backseat’s central console.

BMW 1 series interior dashboard

What features you'll find in the Bmw 1 Series

Our Features Rating6 / 10

BMW’s 1 Series is priced above its rivals and spec extras like the 10.25-inch infotainment system come at an additional cost, too. You can now get BMW’s Operating System 6.0, which comes as standard, as does Apple CarPlay – instead of the previous deal of one year free followed by a subscription. You’d expect the infotainment system to be an impressive piece of kit, but we found it a little less user friendly than those in rival models. The wow factor is hard to find overall, but the 19-inch alloys do add some extra bling.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Bmw 1 Series

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

The BMW 1 Series’ most economical petrol trim is its most popular one – the 118i. This should deliver you 47.1 mpg, compared to its thirsty big brother, the M135i xDrive, which offers 35.3 mpg. Not at all bad for a hatchback. Neither are that green, with the 118i emitting 114 g/km of CO2 emissions and the M135i xDrive emitting 155 g/km. The diesel alternatives are certainly more economical, offering between 51.4 to 61.4 mpg.

Running costs of the Bmw 1 Series

Our Cost Rating6 / 10

Like most mainstream brands, BMW remains stubborn on its lack of a 5-year warranty, instead choosing to match Audi’s offer of a 3-year warranty. Services are recommended every 12 months, depending on how the 1 Series is driven – but the car is capable of alerting its driver when a service is necessary. Recalls for engine stalling were noted on the previous 1 Series – so make sure that these issues have been managed appropriately when buying a used vehicle.

Our verdict of the Bmw 1 Series

4.0 rating

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

If romance is what you're after, another series higher up the chain might be better suited, but this is a more conventional and surprisingly spacious hatchback.