BMW 1 Series Hatchback review (2004-2012)

The baby BMW was the firm’s first attempt at a family-sized hatchback in nearly 30 years. Controversial styling and a cramped cabin are offset by excellent driving dynamics and first class engine line-up.

Styling/Image

Like Marmite, you’ll either love or hate the angles, swoops and curves of the BMW 1-Series. However, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a bodystye – there’s a three or five-door hatch, together with rakish coupe and convertible models. It’s worth the extra to upgrade entry-level cars to ES spec, as it adds desirable alloy wheels. Dark colours show the shape off to best effect.

Interior/Practicality

Sadly the BMW is let down by a poorly packaged interior. Lack of space for rear passengers and limited oddment stowage makes the 1-Series less practical than a Ford Focus. Equipment levels are low on base models, but alloy wheels and air-con are added for ES, and climate control and parking sensors feature on the SE. However, fit and finish are both first rate.

Engine/Performance

The most powerful petrol engine is the excellent 3.0-litre twin-turbo in the 135i Coupe. Packing 306bhp it has genuine sportscar pace. Further down the range are the underpowered 122bhp 116i and the zesty 141bhp 118i. But it’s the diesel motors that really impress, with both 141bhp 118d and 175bhp 120d being punchy and refined. But it’s the road burning, dual turbo 123d that’s the pick of the bunch. It’ll accelerate to 60mph in 7.0 seconds and yet still return 54mpg at the pumps.

Driving experience

With its balanced rear-wheel drive chassis, the 1-Series will be the choice of driving fans. But the trade off for the sharp handling is a stiff ride, even on entry-level models. Choose the focused the M Sport suspension package and you can expect the ride to be even firmer. There is an optional automatic gearbox, but we’d recommend sticking with the slick-shifting manual transmission that’s fitted as standard.

Costs

Thanks to BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology, the 1-Series serves up class leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions. For example, the 118d will return 60mpg over the combined cycle, and produces just 123g/km of CO2, placing it in VED tax Band B. Pick the 120d and you’ll find that the pence per mile costs are only marginally higher than a Ford Focus TDCI, which should offset the high list price. No matter what model you choose, residual values will be high.

Safety/Environment

BMW’s brilliant Efficient Dynamics kit takes some beating. Stop-start technology, a gear change indicator, Intelligent Alternator Control and low rolling resistance tyres all help reduce CO2 emissions and boost fuel efficiency. Better still, it all works unobtrusively, blending seamlessly with the typical slick BMW driving experience. And with six airbags, traction control and ESP fitted as standard on every model, the small German’s safety credentials are excellent too.

Our Choice: 120d ES five-door