2015 BMW 1 Series review
The small hatchback class is one of the largest and most competitive in the UK. It contains almost every type of car you can think of from budget run-abouts upwards. The 1 Series sits unashamedly at the premium end of the segment appealing to buyers that want something a little classier than a Vauxhall Astra or a Ford Focus and for those that are downsizing from more executive cars.
If there is one word more than any other that BMW designers use to describe the 1 Series then that’s sporty. This shows through in pronounced sculpting on the bumper, the wide grille and then slim headlights which incorporate LED daytime running lights. Along the side the rising belt line and swooping roof line combine to give the car an almost coupe-like profile. At the rear the L-shape LED lights continue this sporty theme.
This may be the cheapest BMW you can buy but with well-designed alloy wheels as well as chrome on the grille, and on the exhaust pipe as standard, the looks certainly won’t leave you feeling short changed.
When you sit inside there’s no mistaking that it’s classic BMW with the controls angled slightly towards the driver and the high center console giving it an almost cockpit-like feel. There’s no shortage of space in the front either and the iDrive control system is a lesson to other manufacturers for its ergonomics and ease of use. In addition to this you have access to the very latest in connectivity. However, it’s not all good news. For a start the cabin looks a little dated next to its competition and you don’t have to drop your eyeline too far to find some distinctively lower quality materials.
Worst still, when we describe the 1 Series as a “small” hatchback we’re not kidding. Legroom is tight in the back and the combination of the narrow center seat and the large transmission tunnel in the floor means it’s almost impossible to sit three medium sized adults in the back. Similarly the boot is a little smaller than you’ll find in a VW Golf or an Audi A3 and there’s quite a lip to lift your luggage over.
It’s true that many of the BMW 1 Series’ short comings can be forgiven once you get behind the wheel. BMW is proud of the fact that the 1 Series is the only rear wheel drive car in its class. This means it drives with poise and a balance that a very few of its rivals can only dream of. The sporty nature of the 1 Series is obvious even in the cheapest model in the range. If you can stretch to the M135i which sits at the top of the range then you’re getting one of the very best and sharpest hot hatches in the UK. Whatever you want the wide range of strong and flexible engines means it’s easy to find a model that gives you that perfect balance between performance and economy. However, we think the variant you should opt for is the 116d ED which averages more than 80mpg with no sacrifice in everyday drivability or performance. Sadly, there is a price to pay and that’s a lack of ride comfort. The 1 Series just makes too much of a meal of lumps and bumps too much of the time and some drivers just won’t want to put up with it.
The combination of smart looks good standard equipment and frugal engines means the BMW 1 Series is well worth a look especially if you like a sporty drive. Its strong residual values will make it quite cheap to own but the firm ride, patchy interior quality and limited practicality means it’s not quite up there with the best of them.
