Should you buy one?

If you want a smaller car that feels genuinely upmarket, you’ll struggle to beat the BMW 1 Series. The quality of its cabin is impressive, and its digital displays and general technology are among the best around, particularly in a car at a lower price point. You will also like it if you prefer a sportier feel, both in terms of the way it looks but also the way it drives. 

That said, we don’t think the 1 Series is up there with the very best family hatchbacks. It’s really not all that spacious, and the lack of choice (or plug-in hybrid) in this class seems detrimental to its success. 

What we like

We love the 1 Series’ interior. The quality is up there with cars twice the price, and the Curved Display screens not only look great but are intuitive and easy to use. The sportier driving feel of the 1 Series is also a key attraction, as is the availability of the M135 if you want a hot hatch that you can use the performance of in all weathers. 

What we don’t like

The ride of the 1 Series is potentially just too firm for UK roads, and felt quite unsettled on our admittedly not particularly smooth German test route. The limited choice of engines and lack of plug-in hybrid especially means we can see buyers opting for the Mercedes A-Class an Audi A3 over it, while it’s not very spacious even for a compact hatchback – the boot of the mild-hybrid being particularly small.