Max Davies
8.5
2025 BMW M135 xDrive review
Want a hot European hatch? BMW has you covered, because the new 1 Series is a seriously fast, eye-catching proposition on top-shelf form.
4 Months Ago
2025 BMW M135 xDrive review
Max Davies
4 Months Ago
Want a hot European hatch? BMW has you covered, because the new 1 Series is a seriously fast, eye-catching proposition on top-shelf form.
Read reviewAll BMW 1 Series Reviews
Max Davies
8.3
2025 BMW 118 review
The new BMW 1 Series is here, and even the cheapest version is a properly compelling buy for fans of premium European hatches.
4 Months Ago
Alborz Fallah
2025 BMW 1 Series review
With more tech than you will possibly ever need, the new BMW 1 Series elevates the German brand's entry-level hatchback to a new level.
6 Months Ago
James Wong
8
2022 BMW 128ti review
BMW's GTI fighter is a solid contender in the FWD hot hatch segment but it just cannot match its RWD predecessor's character.
3 Years Ago
James Wong
7.7
2021 BMW M135i xDrive review
The M135i xDrive looks good on paper, but it lacks the distinctive BMW traits that made the old rear-driven one such a cult hero.
3 Years Ago
Dave Humphreys
8.5
2021 BMW 128ti review
The BMW 128ti sees the German marque throw its hat into the highly competitive front-drive hot hatch ring to go up against established players.
4 Years Ago
Anthony Crawford
7.9
2020 BMW 1 Series review
I’m going to miss BMW’s rear-wheel drive 3.0-litre 1 Series, who wouldn’t, but rest assured, they’re going to sell more of the new front-drive versions thanks to better space packaging and a more contemporary car in every way.
5 Years Ago
1
Other Small to consider
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.