For The only rear-drive hatch in the class scores with a strong combination of performance, economy and emissions across all engines. The BMW 1 Series handles well, too.

Against The 1 Series is one of the least practical small family cars with limited rear legroom and a small boot. It’s also pricey to buy and refinement could be better.

BMW 1 Series Hatchback
44 5stars

If you’re prepared to sacrifice space and refinement for a sporty drive, the BMW 1 Series is well worth a look.

What Car? readers say

5
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The full BMW 1 Series review


There are 18 BMW 1 Series versions available

Hatchback 116i ES 5dr £19,380
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 116i SE 5dr £20,070
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 116d ES 5dr £20,195 TBA
Hatchback 116d EfficientDynamics 5dr £20,885
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 116d SE 5dr £20,885 TBA
Hatchback 116i Sport 5dr £21,310
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 116i Urban 5dr £21,310
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 118i SE 5dr £21,990 TBA
Hatchback 118d SE 5dr £22,030
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 116d Sport 5dr £22,125 TBA
Hatchback 116d Urban 5dr £22,125 TBA
Hatchback 118i Sport 5dr £23,230 TBA
Hatchback 118i Urban 5dr £23,230 TBA
Hatchback 118d Sport 5dr £23,270
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 118d Urban 5dr £23,270
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 120d SE 5dr £23,480 TBA
Hatchback 120d Sport 5dr £24,720 TBA
Hatchback 120d Urban 5dr £24,720 TBA

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

We’ve driven three versions of the BMW 1 Series so far – the 116i petrol and the 116d and 118d diesels. All three are impressive, with a good blend of performance and efficiency.

Which one you should choose depends largely on whether you’re a private buyer or a company car driver. The sub-120g/km CO2 emissions of the 118d qualify it for low Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rates, but the star of the show for low running costs is the 99g/km 116d EfficientDynamics model. Meanwhile the lower list price of the 116i makes it the sensible choice for private buyers who don’t a silly amount of miles.

Entry-level ES trim is probably best avoided, but SE models come with Bluetooth and a BMW’s iDrive infotainment system – but not sat-nav, which is a pricey option on all models. We wouldn’t bother with Sport and Urban models, because they’re a bit too most expensive.

Reader test team says:

BMW 1 Series Hatchback 120d Sport 5dr

Being a mum of two who has had 3 X5's the last being a very nice 40d M Sport, the decision to go to a smaller car was one which did fill me with dread…

Emma Watkin

5 out of 5 stars
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