NEW BMW 1 SERIES REVIEW: TOO MUCH TECH?!

EV Channels Review

The new BMW 1 Series receives a mid-life facelift, aiming to impress with a premium interior and sporty design, particularly with the M Sport package. Reviewer Matt Watson highlights the high-quality materials on the dashboard and the responsive, crisp infotainment and digital displays. However, he notes a significant drop in material quality in lower cabin areas and on door pockets, describing some plastics as cheap and scratchy. The driving experience is praised for its sporty feel, responsive steering, and good grip, making it fun on twisty roads. The mild-hybrid 120i model offers a responsive engine, though its 0-60 mph time of 8 seconds is slightly slower than claimed. Downsides include the lack of physical climate controls, a sloping roofline impacting headroom, a confusing power meter instead of a rev counter in sport mode, and a slightly worse turning circle than competitors. The boot space is also reduced on this model due to the mild-hybrid system. Despite its premium aspirations and enjoyable driving dynamics, the reviewer concludes that the 1 Series is a good premium small car but is let down by its high price and some questionable interior material choices, ultimately recommending it for shortlisting.