The revamped BMW 1 Series has strutted onto the world of premium hatchbacks like a well-dressed contestant at a high-stakes speed dating event, dynamic, high-tech, and ready to impress, though it’s not without a couple of quirks.
We recently got behind the wheel of the BMW 135 and it’s fair to say we haven’t stopped smiling, fast, fun, and better connected than the Kardashians. But what if you can’t stretch to the all-guns-a-blazin’ xDrive rocket? Well you grab the 120 M-Sport of course. At starting price of $68,900, it’s still not for the faint-hearted, but rest-assured it’s crammed full of goodies.
On the outside, it has dropped its conservative BMW look for something sharper, a new grille, slimmer headlights, and curvier bumpers have entered the chat, though some might argue they’ve done a Banksy on a Rembrandt. The rear follows suit with redesigned lights and tweaks to the bumper. Good news: it looks modern. Less good news: traditionalists might clutch their pearls at the aesthetic shift.
Engine-wise, the 1 Series is a tale of two flavours, there’s the previously reviewed M135 variant with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder (221kW/400Nm) that does the 0-100km/h sprint in under 5 seconds. With all-wheel-drive sass too, (sadly, BMW retired the raucous rear-wheel-drive setup for a more composed experience, leaving some hooligan-spirited enthusiasts longing for the old days. And then there’s the 120, a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid (125kW/280Nm). Yes it’s got less cc’s and cylinders for that matter, but the mild hybrid has a respectable 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds. And as a bonus, the efficiency is a wallet-friendly 6L/100km.
Inside, the 1 Series goes full techie with a dual-screen cockpit and ditching its rotary controller for iDrive. BMW’s latest operating system powers the screens, though its responsiveness isn’t quite in Formula 1 territory. The M Sport trim adds sporty touches, like Alcantara-lined seats and wheels big enough to look good but hopefully not rattle your soul over potholes. While build quality is aces, the usability of the new dash leaves one eyeing the instruction manual like it’s homework – I stuck to getting ‘Hello BMW’ to handle most things.
Slide into the back seats and… well, don’t bring your gangly friends (hear that Harry?). Rear passenger space is snug for taller adults, and mild hybrid models lose another 80 liters of boot space, making the boot feel more like a gym locker. But hey, the front seats are a joy, BMW somehow calculated the perfect blend of cushion and cradling to ensure your road trip playlist takes centre stage over guff complaints about comfort.
Like I said, efficiency is solid within its class, but eco-conscious shoppers might frown at the absence of hybrid or plug-in options. And while safety is BMW epic, new standards dictate that it still gives you plenty of head’s up when you’re up to what it deems, ‘no good’ or is that nicht gud?
Jumping from the 135 to the 120 (notice the lack of i’s) I assumed that the less-powered, sDrive model would be a let down, but I can honestly say that it wasn’t. There’s more than ample off the line pep, the boost paddle offers more zip to your overtaking moments and the handling had me convinced it was an xDrive. Added to this, like a deep-voiced chihuahua, the 3-cylinder note made the 120 sound far larger than it was. Failing that, the Harman Kardon stereo is loud too.
Overall, the new BMW 1 Series keeps its crown in the premium hatchback segment but feels like a mixed bag. A cracking drive and solid tech make it competitive, but practicality and some odd design choices (not sure what the bit triangle ashtray is for the head-up display) could leave buyers raising an eyebrow. It’s a premium hatchback with flair and a sense of fun, but don’t expect it to help you win the weekly farmer’s market run with ease .
