The BMW 1 Series Still Delivers the Driving Feel, Even Without a Manual Gearbox Anymore
All three reviews agree on the essentials: this remains one of the most genuinely engaging cars in the premium hatchback class, even as BMW has quietly simplified the range down to two automatic-only petrol engines.
Simplified on Paper, Still Sharp on the Road
Dropping the manual gearbox and shrinking the engine lineup down to just two options might sound like a car losing some of its character. Reviewers keep confirming the opposite — the driving feel that's defined this nameplate for two decades is still fully intact.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Premium hatchback |
|---|---|
| Engines | 120 (1.5L three-cylinder mild-hybrid, 168bhp), 123 xDrive (2.0L four-cylinder mild-hybrid, 215bhp), M135 xDrive (296bhp) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (all versions) |
| 0–62mph | 7.8 sec (120) |
| Price range (new) | From around £31,000 |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear praised the fundamental engineering as well-sorted from the ground up, rating even the base 120 as among the most agreeable cars in its class to drive. They found the cabin genuinely premium, with solid-feeling aluminium trim pieces and properly plush fabrics, though noted rear seat space and boot capacity remain merely class-average rather than class-leading.
What Car?
What Car? measured the entry 120's 0-62mph at 7.8 seconds, rating it agile and eager to change direction thanks to smooth, precise steering, though found the Audi A3 slightly more engaging thanks to a more natural handling balance. They praised build quality as class-leading, with real aluminium detailing rather than sprayed plastic, and rated M Sport trim's firmer suspension as feeling more like a hot hatchback than a family car — genuinely fun on a demanding country road, if less forgiving than the Audi A3 or VW Golf around town.
Autocar
Autocar's road test found M Sport's stiffened, lowered suspension struggles to keep the car's body settled on UK roads specifically, both at motorway speeds and on country roads, describing the damper tuning as occasionally "wooden" over bigger bumps. They detailed a genuine mechanical upgrade with 20% more front caster angle for sharper steering feel, and noted the 1 Series now shares its platform with the BMW X1 and Mini Countryman, giving it access to an optional clutch-based four-wheel-drive system on more powerful versions.
Strengths
- Genuinely engaging handling for the class
- Class-leading build quality and cabin materials
- Sharper steering feel following genuine suspension geometry upgrades
- Strong reliability survey results relative to key rivals
Weak points
- M Sport suspension can feel unsettled on rougher UK roads
- Only two petrol engines available, with no hybrid, diesel or electric option
- Rear seat space and boot capacity are merely class-average
- Mild-hybrid system eats into boot space on the 120
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who prioritise genuine driving engagement and premium build quality over maximum practicality or powertrain choice. The base 120 in standard Sport trim, rather than the firmer M Sport, is worth trying first if ride comfort on rougher roads matters to you.