2021 BMW M135i xDrive review

The BMW 1 Series has a number of competitors because the 1er spans from a turbo three-cylinder powertrain, to a high-output turbo four-cylinder with all-wheel drive.

The most obvious of competitors is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class which is also the German automaker's entry-level offering.

Both the BMW and Mercedes offer high-end, premium-looking interiors with elements of soft-touch materials and metal accents.

Option lists on both the 1er and A-Class are quite extensive and can get expensive if you get trigger happy.

The 1 Series also gets cross-shopped with the BMW X1, X2, Mini five-door hatch, and Clubman which all share the same UKL platform.

BMW 128ti models have a sportier edge and compete against the likes of the Ford Focus ST, Renault Megane RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI. The 128ti though offers a more premium-feeling interior though.

The Focus ST is arguably just as focused and packs a lot more technology as standard, while the Golf GTI is more comfortable day-to-day with similar performance.

Range-topping M135i xDrive models compete against the likes of the Audi S3, Mercedes-AMG A35, and Volkswagen Golf R.

At this end of the 1 Series range, it can get quite expensive and is missing features that are expected of the price point.

The M135i xDrive though doesn't offer the tech or all-round usability of an Audi S3 or Volkswagen Golf R, nor can it blow any of its direct rivals out of the water in terms of straight-line performance or corner-carving ability.