If you’ve been roaming the automotive world in search of a small family hatch that still gets your pulse racing, chances are you’ve stumbled across the BMW 1 Series more than once. And with good reason. For years now, this little Bavarian bruiser has been the go-to for drivers who want premium vibes, sharp steering, proper badge appeal and just a little sprinkle of “yes, I do enjoy my car, actually.”
It may surprise nobody that even with BMW firing out SUVs like they’re on a production line conveyor belt, the humble 1 Series is still the brand’s best-selling car here in the UK. While the Europeans have fallen head over heels for the X3, we Brits cling lovingly to the premium hatchback dream — and the 1 Series delivers the goods. As of late 2024 it was teetering on the edge of the national Top 10 bestsellers list, casually outselling household names like the Astra and the beloved (but now departed) Ford Focus. Not bad for a hatch that promises fun above all else.
BMW insists this is the fourth-generation 1 Series, although squinting at it will have you thinking “that’s a facelift, surely?” But no — Munich is adamant. And to be fair, once you poke around inside, it absolutely feels new. The cabin has had the full future-BMW treatment, featuring that now-famous Curved Display that joins the digital cluster and the touchscreen into a sweeping glass ribbon, like a techy halo wrapping around the dash. With new switchgear, higher-class materials and the latest operating system, the interior feels like it’s been teleported straight from a bigger BMW, just scaled down a bit like someone zoomed out on Photoshop.
Step outside and you’ll notice the front end looks tidier. The grille is — miracle of miracles — smaller. Narrower but wider, it makes the car look lower and sharper, and if you splurge a little, you can even get it illuminated. BMW knows exactly who’s buying these things, which is why there’s now a contrasting black roof option and more M goodies than you could shake a key fob at.
The biggest shift, however, is that BMW UK has ruthlessly slashed the number of engine choices. Where once there were diesels, petrols, sporty in-betweens and entry-level runabouts, now the line-up is simple: just the BMW 120 and the M135. That’s your lot. No 118d, no 116i, no smorgasbord of badges for the die-hard purist. Just a neat two-car menu — though we’re looking at the 120 here.
This new 120 features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid tech, and while it’s small, it doesn’t feel like it. With 168hp and 280Nm on tap, it’ll do 0–62mph in a very respectable 7.8 seconds and top out at 140mph. Every version is front-wheel-drive and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. Yes, BMW dropped rear-wheel drive last generation. Yes, enthusiasts moaned. And no, it didn’t matter one bit — sales kept booming, and the car still drives brilliantly.
BMW claims up to 52.3mpg and 121g/km of CO₂, and that should appeal to motorway commuters and business users alike. But it’s the handling that steals the show here. Even with the mild-hybrid gubbins, the 120 turns in sharply, grips like a terrier, and honestly, feels more alive than an Audi A3 or a Mercedes A-Class. The steering is genuinely talkative, which is rare these days, and the chassis feels like it wants to dance. Even in wet, greasy British weather, the grip is remarkable — it feels like a proper BMW, just front-driven and a smidge less serious.
Inside, the story gets much happier. The Curved Display elevates the whole cabin, giving the 1 Series a posh, clean, thoroughly modern (Millie) feel. BMW’s infotainment remains one of the best systems in the business: crisp, intuitive, fast and extremely pretty. The sad news? The iconic rotary iDrive dial is gone. Deleted. Erased from existence like BMW hoped we’d forget it was ever a thing. As a result, lots of basic tasks now require digging into touchscreen menus — which is not exactly ideal when you’re on the move.
As we mentioned before, the line up has been simplified: Sport, M Sport or the more luxurious M Sport Pro, and then the spicy M135 sitting above.
Pricing starts at £32,625 for the 120 Sport, rising to £34,625 for M Sport, £38,250 for the M Sport Pro and £45,550 for the full-fat M135 xDrive. Equipment is strong across the board, with heated seats, the Curved Display, and a reversing camera as standard.
So, what’s the verdict? If you want a premium hatch that makes you feel just a little bit smug every time you get behind the wheel, the 1 Series still delivers. It’s the sharpest to drive, has the best cabin tech and feels the most genuinely premium of the lot. But the ride is going to be a sticking point for many buyers, and with Audi and Mercedes offering more engines — including plug-in hybrids — some might drift elsewhere.
Still, if feel-good factor and steering precision matter more than softness and space, then the BMW 1 Series remains the one to have. It’s the premium hatch with proper attitude — and in a world of ever-expanding SUVs, it’s nice to see a small car still fighting for drivers who want something fun.
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😊