New & used BMW 1 Series cars

The style of the car

The BMW 1 Series is a great choice if you want a hatchback that’s enjoyable to drive. Its engines give you good performance and its responsive steering and great balance make it feel sportier and more agile than many rivals. It’s quiet and comfortable too, although versions with larger wheels don’t have such a smooth ride. The latest 1 Series has front-wheel drive whereas the previous version (on sale new between 2011 and 2019) has rear-wheel drive. Some versions of both models have four-wheel drive: You can identify these by their xDrive badging.

How it drives

Every 1 Series has five seats. While the latest model is a five-door only, the previous model was available in three-door and five-door versions. Interior and boot space is similar to what you get in rivals such as the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, with the latest model giving easier access to the back seats and more legroom for anyone sitting there. In both versions, the interior has an upmarket feel and an excellent infotainment system, known as iDrive, that looks smart and is easy to use. All versions have air con and electric windows. M Sport models add sports seats and a thick three-spoke steering wheel.

The interior

The three and five-door versions are surprisingly spacious inside and have a large boot. The upmarket interior looks and feels great, while all versions come well equipped. All models feature an excellent infotainment system, known as iDrive, air con and electric windows. M Sport models add chunky sports seats and a thick three-spoke steering wheel.

Running costs and reliability

The 1 Series is a cost-effective car to own, with a range of very efficient petrol and diesel engines. There’s no hybrid version but your tax and fuel costs should be reasonable unless you go for one of the most powerful models in the range. BMW has a good reputation for reliability and the 1 Series feels well built. Both the latest and previous versions achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

How the BMW 1 Series compares with similar cars

The BMW 1 Series is the entry point to the BMW range. It’s slightly smaller than the 2 Series coupe and 3 Series saloon and is a close match for rivals such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class in size and price. Like those cars, it gives you the choice of cost-effective models at one end of the range and high-performance versions that cost significantly more to buy and run at the other.

Looking for a hatchback? Here’s our guide to the best used hatchbacks around.