BMW 1 Series review

Driving position

Getting comfortable behind the wheel of the BMW 1 Series is easy because, while it might only be a small hatchback, the seats have plenty of adjustment.

The seats in our M Sport trim car were supportive and trimmed in a plush Alcantara, and even the standard seats offer a good amount of support.

They’re trimmed in what BMW’s calling Econeer – a mix of recycled plastics – a nice touch for the eco-conscious among us.

Tech and features

The 1 Series has been ageing like fine wine, with each generation improving on the last, but the latest fourth-gen version introduced in 2024 is the clearest step up in the cabin yet.

Inside, the 1 Series shares parts and design cues from its bigger (more expensive) siblings but on a slightly smaller scale.

All cars have a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch infotainment display, which sit beside one another for a wide expanse of dashboard screen space.

They run on the latest version of BMW’s highly acclaimed iDrive system, which is extremely easy to use and supports digital services like live parking information.

There’s also a really modern feel about the car with fancy features that aren’t so common on other brands, like the BMW Digital Key Plus that works with iPhone and Android wallet systems for keyless entry to your car.

Engines and power

Previous 1 Series models have had a similar lineup of engines for a while, but BMW decided to switch things up for the latest one.

The entry-level pick is the 120 – uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine. Don’t let that put you off, because it’s punchier than the outgoing 118i that it replaces.

It’s turbocharged and uses a mild hybrid system, which uses a small electric motor within the transmission for some extra boost.

The 170hp and 240Nm output is good for 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, which is more than enough for a base model.

This 1 Series is also the first not to get a manual option – according to BMW, not many customers bought them. The new standard gearbox is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which is smooth and decisive.

A considerable upgrade over the 120, the 123 uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It also has a mild hybrid system but puts its power down through all four wheels rather than just the front like in the 120.

It’s a 218hp unit, so 0-62mph is cut down to 6.3 seconds, but fuel economy figures aren’t affected too much.

The top-spec option is the performance M135, which uses a highly tuned 2.0-litre petrol engine to produce 300hp and 400Nm of torque. It’ll get to 62mph in 4.9 seconds, and acceleration feels effortless, but we’ve covered this hot hatch in its own separate review.

It’s worth noting that BMW’s newer models have a slightly different naming system. Petrol models used to have an ‘i,’ like ‘120i,’ but this is now gone, so the fourth-gen is just ‘120.’

Diesel models of the 1 Series, which you can no longer buy in the UK, keep the ‘d’ at the end (e.g. ‘120d’).

Handling and ride comfort

When BMW changed from rear- to front-wheel drive in the 1 Series with the third-generation model, purists complained that it would never handle the same.

Although there are some changes to driving characteristics, the fourth-generation BMW 1 Series feels laser-sharp around corners. ‘Point and shoot’ seems like the best way to describe its agile handling.

We tried a 120 M Sport with adaptive suspension and found it to be at its sweetest in the standard mode, where it was stiff enough to tackle corners at pace without breaking your back over potholed roads.

Boot space

Boot space isn’t a strong point for the 1 Series, with a less-than-average 300-litre space in mild hybrid models like the 120. That’s more like what you’d expect from a supermini.

This is a major downgrade compared with the previous generation’s 380-litre space, which is pretty standard for a family hatchback.

Despite having a four-wheel-drive system, the M135 lacks a mild hybrid system (and therefore a battery), so it has a larger 380-litre boot. And there you have it – the hot hatch is the most practical version of the 1 Series.

Rear seats

One of the benefits of shifting from rear- to front-wheel drive is that you get more rear legroom, so fitting adults in the back of the 1 Series shouldn’t be a problem.

That said, its design is quite compact at the back end to give it that important sporty look (along with its long bonnet), so headroom can be slightly more limited.

Still, we were able to get comfortable in the back of a 1 Series.

Storage solutions

Front storage includes door pockets, a reasonably sized glovebox, and some space under the armrest. You also get two open cupholders in the centre console.

Pretty much what you’d expect (and need) but nothing that’ll change the world.

Safety

The previous-generation 1 Series got a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2019, and while it’s yet to be tested, the 2024 updated model should perform similarly since it’s largely based on its predecessor.

Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking and the now-mandatory speed limit warning chimes. Don’t worry, you can turn them off very easily by holding the cruise control ‘Set’ button on the steering wheel.

You also get rear parking sensors and a reversing camera as standard, but a 360-degree parking camera is a paid option.

It’s a shame that the 1 Series still only gets standard cruise control because many of its rivals get adaptive cruise control as standard. It’s part of the Driving Assistant Professional package, which also includes steering aids and more collision prevention systems, but will set you back £1,700.

Fuel economy

Official figures suggest that the 120 will do around 50mpg, and the 123 will do in the region of 45mpg. The reality is that these figures are more achievable on motorway runs, so spending time around town and in stop-start traffic could see them drop.

The mild hybrid system also helps give you a bit of a punch from a standing start and improves mpg figures when coasting and slowing down – the battery recharges automatically when you decelerate.

Reliability

The fourth-generation model hasn’t been on sale for long, but because it shares its engines and tech with the third-generation X1, which has been out since 2022, we know that it’s mechanically sound.

Previous versions of the 1 Series have also performed well in consumer feedback surveys, and we hope this model continues that legacy.

Insurance groups

Full insurance groups are yet to be confirmed, but we know that the mid-range 123 is in group 26 and the M135 is in group 29.

Previous lesser-powered versions of this car were in the late teens and early 20s, so we’d expect the fourth-generation 1 Series to be in a similar position.