Across 24 years, and four generations, the BMW 1 Series has earned a reputation for its keen drive, and classy, more practical interior after moving to its current front-drive format five-years ago.
The biggest news with the latest version is the changes to the exterior and interior design – which brings the 1 Series more in-line with the rest of the BMW range. More of a heavy facelift of the last third-generation 1 Series, most of the alterations centre around the new nose. Flatter and significantly lower than before, the kidney grilles feature a neat structure of vertical and diagonal bars, plus standard-fit LED headlights, with distinctive vertical elements.
Just in case you forget what you’re driving, there’s now the number ‘1’ embossed into the C-pillar, new alloy wheel designs, a longer rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser.
Interior and tech
Inside, the biggest change follows the rest of the BMW range, with the instruments and infotainment now housed in a curved display. This is made up of a 10.25in driving information screen and a central 10.7in touchscreen, which is running the latest generation of BMW’s Operating System 9. The new infotainment works well, but we really missed a control wheel, as touching the screen is fiddly, and the screen soon gets messy with fingerprints. Ventilation controls are fixed at the bottom of the screen, and there are a couple of central buttons in the lit lower trim panel below the infotainment screen.
The driving position and sport seats fitted to both the 120 and 135 that we drove were excellent and supportive. Rear space is average – but no worse than the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. Choose the fastest M135, and you get 380 litres of boot capacity, which is more than the Mercedes, and the same as the Audi. However, if you go for the 120, its mild hybrid system with the battery under the boot floor robs 80 litres of space!
Performance and drive
Gone is the diesel, plus there’s never has been a plug-in, let alone an electric version of the 1 Series. As such, we feel the fleet appeal of the new model will be limited compared to rivals such as the Audi and the Volkswagen Golf. Instead, there’s just the choice of two petrol engines. The 120 is powered by a 168hp, 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder with mild hybrid technology, and a 29% BIK tax implication. Plus, the sportiest, range-topping M135, with its 294hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and a 37% tax implication.
The 120, now available with Sport and M Sport equipment grades, is best described as willing and refined, with more than enough performance. Like the latest BMW X3 SUV, Sport mode is where it is at it is most responsive – although engine noise is well masked. It is well-matched to the seven-speed automatic transmission.
We also had the chance to drive the sportiest M135, and it feels every bit as a fast as its performance figures suggest, with the official acceleration figure being 4.6 seconds.
Despite the change from rear to front-wheel drive, the BMW 1 Series has always been one of the keenest to drive in the sector. BMW is now claiming it’s even sharper, with further work done on stiffening the bodyshell. Even in 120 form, the steering feels impressively precise, with excellent body control, balance and grip. Although, the ride on the standard 19in wheels sometimes felt unsettled.
With almost 300hp, and four-wheel drive, the hottest is a back road weapon – but it doesn’t look or feel any more special than the 120, which is disappointing.
The new 1 Series remains one of the keenest drives in its sector and has similar interior space to rivals. However, the 120’s compromised boot, plus the lack of versions, especially a plug-in hybrid, are going to limit this BMW’s appeal to fleet, and instead push them towards EV models, such as the iX1 SUV.
Positive: Good to drive, decent interior space, quality feel
Negative: Expensive, compromised boot space, limited engine choice, no PHEV option
Standard equipment: Electronic folding mirrors, LED headlights and LED rear lights, 17in alloy wheels, M high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW curved display, single-zone automatic air conditioning, sports steering wheel, cruise control with brake function, park distance control, and reversing camera.
Engines: Petrol: 168hp, 294hp
Equipment grades: Sport, M Sport, M135
Transmissions: Seven-speed automatic
| Model | BMW 120 M Sport |
| P11D | £32,800 |
| Residual value | 51% |
| Depreciation | £16,094 |
| Fuel | £5,900 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,970 |
| Cost per mile | 50p |
| Fuel consumption | 52.3mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 122g/km (29%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £158/£317 |
| Luggage capacity | 300 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1,499cc/168hp |
| Score | 7/10 |
