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Nuance

We have to make a nuance right away: the most economical BMW 1 Series is the 116 and we drive the BMW 120. But guess how much price difference there is between the 116 and 120. Three whole euros! So you are effectively crazy if you choose the 116, since the 120 is a mild-hybrid with much more power as well.

BMW 120: the technical specifications

The BMW 120 features a 1.5-liter (1,499 cc) three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine supplemented with electro power. It is a 48-volt mild hybrid. System power comes out to 125 kW (170 hp) with 280 Nm of torque, but only the gasoline engine produces 115 kW (156 hp) and 240 Nm. The electric motor produces 15 kW (20 hp) and 55 Nm. All result in a 0-100 time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 226 km/h. Shifting is done with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The 0.9 kWh battery is charged thanks to regenerative braking

Dimensions BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series 2025 has a length of 4,361 mm, a width of 1,800 mm and a height of 1,459 mm. The car’s wheelbase is 2,670 mm. Sitting in the back is no problem at all, even as an adult with a height of 1.85 meters. Luggage space ranges from 300 to 1,135 liters. The braked towing weight of the 120 is 1,300 kilograms with 75 kilograms of nose weight. The car has an empty weight of 1,500 kilograms and the tank capacity is 49 liters.

BMW 1 Series (2025): how cheap is the cheapest BMW? – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV

Lineup BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series comes as 116, 120, 123 xDrive and as M135 xDrive. Diesel can also be had in the form of the 118d and 120d. We then arrive at the following specifications.  

• BMW 116: 90 kW (122 hp) and 230 Nm – from 42,327 euros.
• BMW 120: 110 kW (150 hp) + 15 kW (20 hp) and 280 Nm – from 42,330 euros.
• BMW 123 xDrive: 160 kW (218 hp) and 360 Nm – from 49,545 euros.
• BMW M135 xDrive: 221 kW (301 hp) and 400 Nm – from 78,898 euros.
• BMW 118d: 110 kW (150 hp) and 360 Nm – from 49,421 euros
• BMW 120d: 105 kW (143 hp) + 15 kW (20 hp) and 400 Nm – from 49,017 euros.

Character BMW 120

The character of the BMW 120 can occasionally be described as lazy. That deserves some explanation. Especially pulling away at a traffic light requires some thinking time from the driveline. It feels like it takes just two seconds too long. Even when overtaking, the car needs a lot of thinking time to shift back to the right gear. There is a solution: drive in sport mode. Then the powertrain is much more on point. An average fuel consumption of 1 on 18 is realistic.

Design BMW 1 Series 2025

On the outside, BMW has modified several things, such as the front end that now looks very much like the front view of a Kia Ceed. The light units, bumpers and grille have been completely changed. We also detect different lighting at the rear. The interior has been completely revised. It is completely leather-free by default. The seats are very comfortable. You can also sit nice and low in this car. The car also has fine handling.  

Mood lighting with an edge

The ambient lighting in this example looks very nice, of course especially in the evening. However, we did notice the following: on road sections without any street lighting, the ambient lighting at the corners of the dashboard reflects annoyingly in the side mirrors. This takes away some visibility.

The new BMW 1 Series features the latest version of BMW iDrive with QuickSelect for easy control of vehicle functions. The new home screen displays function icons arranged vertically. QuickSelect provides direct access to those functions without a detour through a submenu.  

Desire for analog iDrive rotary dial

The new BMW iDrive is entirely focused on touch and voice control. It is based on the BMW Operating System 9, which is also the basis for personal selections of additional digital services. The Remote Software Upgrades feature can integrate new and improved vehicle functions into the car. Secretly, we do miss the analog iDrive dial in this car. Now you have to press buttons on the touchscreen to get to various menus. Those buttons are just a little too hidden behind the steering wheel. Not bad, though.

Gaming in a 1 Series

Customers can also choose BMW Digital Premium in the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. This allows in-car use of country-specific apps such as music streaming, news and games as part of a subscription. Yep, you can game in a 1 Series, when the car is stationary.

The offer also includes data usage for all digital services and apps in the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. BMW Digital Premium additionally expands the functions of BMW Maps as well as the selection of My Modes and lighting for the Welcome Light animation.

M-color stitching

With an M Sport package, the car looks nice and sporty, with the M details in the interior standing out in particular. For example, check out the M-colored stitching on the dashboard and a sporty M steering wheel that also sits nicely in the hand. The car has basically everything on board, except electrically heated front seats. That costs 374 euros and is not included in this car.

Standard equipment

The standard equipment of the new BMW 1 Series is already quite extensive. These include a Steptronic dual-clutch transmission, M window surrounds high-gloss Shadowline, Light package, Personal eSim, additional tinted glass in the rear door windows and rear window (for the M Performance variant), Parking Assistant and a sport steering wheel. To further emphasize the sportiness of the new BMW 1 Series, it will be possible to order the 1 Series in the M Sport Design trim right from its introduction. The M Sport Design trim includes all exterior parts of the M Sport Package, consisting of: large air intakes in the front bumper, larger sill extensions, rear bumper with diffuser insert and 18-inch M alloy wheels (in Styling 975M). The M Sport Design option for the 1 Series has a very competitive consumer recommended retail price of 1,270 euros.

Dynamic front end and distinctive BMW proportions

The new BMW 1 Series is the very first BMW model to be available with an optional contrasting black roof. The BMW signature proportions also accentuate the sporty character of the new BMW 1 Series: a long hood, a passenger compartment set far back, a dynamically flowing roofline and a muscular rear end.

The new BMW 1 Series is further distinguished by its dynamic wedge shape and low side windows, which get even lower towards the rear. A long roof spoiler with air guides on both sides accentuates the car’s stretched silhouette. Vertical reflectors and a rear bumper with black diffuser insert contribute to the powerful appearance of the rear end. The distinctive, two-piece taillights continue down the side of the body.

Seven-speed Steptronic automatic dual-clutch transmission.

All engines in the new BMW 1 Series are from BMW Group’s latest generation of modular engines. The three-cylinder gasoline engine in the BMW 120 and the four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 120d are combined with 48-volt Mild Hybrid technology. That technology improves both efficiency and direct power delivery. All engines are mated to a seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Options on this BMW 1 Series:

• Skyscraper Grey metallic: 1,050 euros
• 19-inch LM M Y-spoke (Styling 976 M) Bicolor Jet Black uni: 640 euros
• Roof finished in black : 385 euros
• M Sport package: 2,995 euros
• Glass panoramic roof: 1,260 euros
• Electrically adjustable seats: 908 euros
• Automatic 2-zone air conditioning: 586 euros
• Harman-Kardon sound system: 598 euros
• Premium Pack: 1,496 euros

Final price: 53,162 euros