Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 1-series review - more engaging than the competition - Design

A wonderfully rear-drive premium compact hatchback

Evo rating
RRP
from £21,840
  • Adjustable rear-drive chassis, massive range of efficient and powerful engines
  • Rear space not great and most desirable models are costly

Design

The BMW 1 Series came in for its mid-life update in March 2015, bringing with it a much less divisive appearance - notably so at the front, where the 'pointy' headlights were replaced by far more attractive items, complemented by shapelier bumpers and a more pronounced 'kidney grille' up front. The rear lights were also overhauled, using LED bar technology to considerably widen the appearance of the rear of the 1 Series. It's more distinctive from that angle now, yet overall less opinion-dividing.

On the inside, while the cabin is short on space, it's one of the highest quality interiors in the segment, marrying elements of the most luxurious BMW models with more youthful detailing and plenty of technology. The high definition screen and clear instruments set the tone and every switch, button and knob is perfectly damped and a joy to use.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Alpine A390 v Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – are these EV crossovers fun as well as fast?
Alpine A390 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Group tests

Alpine A390 v Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – are these EV crossovers fun as well as fast?

A world away from the A110, Alpine’s most ambitious gamble yet is a 464bhp electric ‘sport fastback’. Can it match Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N when it comes t…
8 Mar 2026
New Cupra Born arrives as a feistier Volkswagen ID.3, with bucket seats and up to 322bhp
2026 Cupra Born
News

New Cupra Born arrives as a feistier Volkswagen ID.3, with bucket seats and up to 322bhp

Cupra has given the ID.3-based Born a substantial refresh, comprising a new design, updated interior and physical steering wheel controls rather than …
5 Mar 2026
My £2k Fiat Panda 100HP is huge fun to own, until you look underneath...
evo Fast Fleet Fiat Panda 100HP
Long term tests

My £2k Fiat Panda 100HP is huge fun to own, until you look underneath...

A trip to the garage unearths some nasty secrets in the Panda’s suspension
5 Mar 2026