BMW 1 Series review - MPG, CO2 and running costs

One of the benefits of the 1 Series’ all-new platform is its ability to accept a range of frugal three and four-cylinder engines. The most efficient model in the range is the 116d, whose three-cylinder diesel returns up to 61.4mpg depending on gearbox and trim, as well as the wheel size and weight. CO2 emissions for the diesel 1 Series stand at 120g/km.

Opt for the more powerful 120d,and CO2 emissions jump to 129g/km, while the official fuel economy rating drops to 57.6mpg – although we only saw 40mpg when we tested one in 2021 against a VW Golf GTD. A 118d powertrain used to sit between the two, offering a decent compromise between performance and economy, but it’s no longer available in the UK. If you're after a used example, the 118d should return up to 60.1mpg, with CO2 emissions of 122g/km.

Petrol models also fare well; the 118i returns a respectable 49.6mpg depending on spec, with CO2 emissions of 130g/km, while the hot M135i is remarkably frugal, with a maximum 38.2mpg and CO2 emissions from 168g/km. The 128ti can muster 40.9mpg with a worst-case emissions scenario of 170g/km of CO2.

Rather disappointingly, despite BMW embracing electrification in a big way over the past few years, there’s currently no plug-in hybrid 1 Series to compete with the VW Golf GTE or Mercedes A 250e. As a result, while its PHEV rivals can attract a Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car rax rate of just 8 per cent, the 1 Series sits in the 31-32 per cent tax bands.

Insurance groups

The BMW 1 Series occupies insurance groups 21 to 36, with the 116d and M135i bookending the range. 

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Depreciation

Our experts expect that the BMW 1 Series will hold on to between 55 and 60 per cent of its value after three years and 36,000 miles come trade-in time, which is about the same as Mercedes A-Class.

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