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

Can BMW’s £50k sports coupe beat the Audi RS3? – car pictures of the week
Audi RS3 and BMW M240
News

Can BMW’s £50k sports coupe beat the Audi RS3? – car pictures of the week

In the current issue of evo, we test BMW’s updated M240 against the Audi RS3 – these are our favourite shots
18 Jul 2026
My Audi S8 can’t make me hate it, even if its safety systems are often terrible
Audi S8 – interior
Long term tests

My Audi S8 can’t make me hate it, even if its safety systems are often terrible

ADAS systems can be the bane of one’s existence in modern cars, but they can’t take the decadent shine off our long-term limo
16 Jul 2026
Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill
Mercedes-Benz A-class front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill

The current A-class is now almost a decade old. Happily, it still looks and feels relatively fresh
16 Jul 2026