Rear-biased feel, mild-hybrid petrols and a 300PS M135
By Adrian, Car Lease Deals UK · Updated 16 October 2026
Arriving in 2024, the F70 is the fourth-generation 1 Series and comes only as a five-door hatchback. It offers a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid 120, a 2.0-litre 123 xDrive and the 300PS M135 xDrive. A curved display dominates the dashboard, and the car handles like a more sporting hatchback than front-wheel drive suggests.
A transparent score for the BMW 1 Series, worked out from official UK figures, not opinion. Running costs and emissions compare it like for like: same class, same fuel and powertrain.
How we score cars15.2p a mile on the 120 (52.3 mpg) at current UK prices, lower than 39% of hybrid small family cars on sale
32% benefit-in-kind on the 120, best in range for 2026/27
130 g/km on the 120, lower than 44% of hybrid small family cars on sale
380 litre standard boot (seats up)
0-62 mph in 4.9s on the M135 xDrive (296 bhp)
1 powertrain: petrol
Score for the 2026/27 tax year. It updates automatically as fuel prices, energy prices and tax rates change. See the full method.
Next to the A3 and A-Class, the 1 Series is the one for people who enjoy driving, and the M135 is a proper hot hatch. The boot is average and neither diesel nor plug-in hybrid is offered to bring running costs down.
Our editorial view, separate from the data score above.
Pick a body style, engine and trim. Everything updates together, so you only see combinations that were actually offered.
Entry trim with the curved display, LED lights and a solid driver assistance package.
Boot 380 litres (1,200 litres seats folded), length 4,361mm. The 1 Series is only offered as a five-door hatchback in the UK. BMW quotes 380 litres with the rear seats up, and a 300 to 1,135 litre range for the 120 mild hybrid.
| Engine | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 | Economy | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | Petrol mild hybrid | 168 bhp | 280 Nm | 7.8s | 52.3 | 130 g/km |
| 123 xDrive | Petrol mild hybrid | 215 bhp | 360 Nm | 6.3s | 47.1 | 135 g/km |
| M135 xDrive | Petrol | 296 bhp | 400 Nm | 4.9s | 37.2 | 173 g/km |
Official figures, checked October 2026.
Official WLTP combined figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency. Compare more cars in our economy league table.
Insurance groups and premiums vary by driver, location and history, so these are indicative bands only.
Yearly cost at 10,000 miles on official economy. Petrol 175.3p and diesel 200.0p a litre (UK average, week commencing 12 October 2026); electric 26.32p per kWh charged at home (1 October to 31 December 2026).
Road tax and company car tax on official CO2 figures at 2026/27 rates. The expensive car supplement and P11D value depend on the list price, which you enter in the calculators.
The 120 mild hybrid manages over 50mpg officially while still feeling nippy, which suits mixed commuting.
Rear-biased balance and a crisp chassis make the 1 Series one of the more engaging cars in its class.
Mild-hybrid CO2 of 130 to 135 g/km sits in mid-range company car tax bands, with no plug-in option offered.
The M135 xDrive's 300PS, four-wheel drive and 4.9-second 0 to 62mph time deliver genuine hot-hatch pace.
How the main ways to fund a 1 Series compare. General guidance only, not financial advice or an offer.
Fixed monthly costs suit drivers who want a premium badge without resale exposure.
A common route for new 1 Series, with an optional final payment keeping monthly costs lower.
Straightforward ownership path, though monthly payments are typically higher than PCP.
Short-term flexibility, usually at a higher overall cost.
Used cars are well supported, but early depreciation is steep on a premium compact.
Which works out cheaper depends on your annual mileage, how long you keep the car and whether you want to own it. Try the true cost of leasing calculator to compare.
The 120 is front-wheel drive, while the 123 xDrive and M135 xDrive send power to all four wheels through BMW's xDrive system.
BMW quotes 380 litres with the rear seats up and up to 1,200 litres with them folded, with the 120 mild hybrid listed at 300 to 1,135 litres.
BMW quotes 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds from the 300PS 2.0-litre engine, with 400Nm of torque.
No. The current UK range uses mild-hybrid petrol engines and the petrol M135, with no diesel or plug-in hybrid offered.
BMW UK lists Sport and M Sport for the 120, M Sport for the 123 xDrive and the performance-focused M135 xDrive at the top.