Review BMW 1 Series hatchback

"The 1 Series offers more space and greater comfort than ever, but is still the choice for drivers who want a small hatchback that's fun to drive." The second generation of the BMW 1 Series hatchback is packed with more gadgetry than ever, including new, super-efficient petrol and diesel engines, and lots of equipment you would expect to see on larger luxury cars. There's also greater scope for personalisation, a bit like BMW's MINI brand. Underneath the skin, it's lighter than its predecessor and is the only car in the small hatchback class to offer rear-wheel drive, so driver appeal is a top priority. Drive4.7 /5 Sporty and efficient The old 1 Series was generally good to drive, but suffered from heavy steering. The new version's system is much better, being a little lighter, which makes the car feel more agile. It also rolls less in bends and is a lot of fun to drive as a result. Adding to this is a range of 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines with up to 170bhp in 118i form. As for diesels, there's a 2.0-litre unit offering up to 184bhp in 120d trim. All models come with a gadget that allows you to change driving modes, offering a Sport mode that sharpens the throttle and steering response. Comfort4.0 /5 A much more comfortable ride The new 1 Series is much more comfortable than its predecessor. Sport models have stiffer suspension and bigger wheels, but they are still reasonably comfortable over lumps and bumps – however this is still a car that some people may find too firm. That's the pay-off for the sporty driving experience. The front seats are supportive and have lots of adjustment, allowing many different-sized drivers to get comfortable. Reliability4.5 /5 Solidly constructed with luxurious materials Its predecessor cut some corners on quality, but the new BMW 1 Series certainly doesn't. All the controls are chunky, the dashboard is trimmed in soft-touch plastics and there's a generous amount of leather and metal finishes. The new 1 Series also has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, so in the event of an accident, occupants are well protected. BMW models are generally very reliable, and the old 1 Series suffered from just a few minor recalls, so we'd expect the new model to be just as dependable. And with options like lane departure warning and a system which brakes the car automatically at very low speed to avoid a collision, it will be safe too. Practicality3.8 /5 Not bad boot space but quite cramped in the rear The 1 Series is longer than before, but while it is a little more spacious, it's cramped in the rear, especially when compared to a VW Golf. The boot is now 30 litres bigger, at 360 litres, and is a very handy shape with decent access. BMW has also introduced rear seats that fold in a 40/20/40 three-way split, in addition to the usual 60/40 arrangement. There's no shortage of cubbyholes inside, but keyless go means you often store the large keyfob in a cupholder on the centre console, rather than in your pocket. Value for money3.8 /5 Pricey but with big car features With even entry-level cars costing around £20,000 – and most versions likely to cost £23,000 with some extras – the new 1 Series is very expensive for a small car. However, entry-level ES models come with air-conditioning and stop-start, while SE versions get a 6.5-inch flatscreen monitor, a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection and a USB socket for MP3 players. Options are plentiful - choose from adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and mobile internet. Urban models gets white wheels and white trim inside and out, while Sport is easier on the eye, with upmarket 17-inch wheels, Sports suspension and darker trim. Running costs4.5 /5 About as cheap to run as a BMW gets Efficient new engines, a 30kg lighter body and standard stop-start help the new 1 Series to be very economical. The 1.6-litre 116d EfficientDynamics model boasts economy of 74mpg and an emissions figure of 99g/km, so it's exempt from Road Tax and the London Congestion Charge. All models also feature ECO PRO, a button on the dashboard that activates a driving mode which subtly reduces throttle response and the load of items such as the air conditioning to improve economy without the driver even realising it.