BMW 1 Series hatchback

Drive

The old 1 Series was generally good to drive, but suffered from heavy steering. The new version's system is much better, being a little lighter, which makes the car feel more agile. It also rolls less in bends and is a lot of fun to drive as a result. Adding to this is a new range of 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines with up to 170bhp in 118i form. As for diesels, there's a 2.0-litre unit offering up to 184bhp in 120d trim. All models come with a gadget that allows you to change driving modes, offering a Sport mode which sharpens the throttle and steering response.

Comfort

The new 1 Series is much more comfortable than its predecessor. Sport models have stiffer suspension and bigger wheels but they are still not too harsh over lumps and bumps – however this is still a car that some people may find too firm. That's the pay-off for the sporty driving experience. That said, the front seats are supportive and have lots of adjustment allowing many different-sized drivers to get comfortable.

Reliability

Its predecessor cut some corners on quality, but the new 1 Series certainly doesn't. All the controls are chunky, the dashboard is trimmed in soft-touch plastics and there's a generous amount of leather and metal finishes. The new 1 Series also has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, so in the event of an accident, occupants are well protected. BMW models are generally very reliable, and the old 1 Series suffered from just a few minor recalls, so we'd expect the new model to be even more dependable. And with options like lane departure warning and a system which brakes the car automatically at very low speed to avoid a collision, it will be safe too.

Practicality

The 1 Series is longer than before, but while it is a little more spacious, it is very cramped in the rear, especially when compared to a VW Golf. That said the boot is now 30 litres bigger, at 360 litres, and is a very handy size with decent access. BMW has also introduced rear seats that fold in a 40/20/40 thee-way split, in addition to the usual 60/40 arrangement. There's no shortage of cubby holders inside, but keyless go means you often store the large keyfob in a cupholder on the centre console rather than your pocket.

Value for money

With even entry-level cars costing around £20,000 – and most versions likely to cost £23,000 with some extras – the new 1 Series is very expensive for a small car. However, entry-level ES models come with air-conditioning and stop-start, while SE versions get a 6.5-inch flatscreen monitor, a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection and a USB socket for MP3 players. Options are plentiful - choose from adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and mobile internet, while two new trims - Urban and Sport – have joined the line up. Urban gets white wheels and white trim inside and out, while Sport is easier on the eye with upmarket 17-inch wheels, Sports suspension and darker trim.

Running costs

Efficient new engines, a 30kg lighter body and standard stop-start help the new 1 Series to be very economical.  Even the 118i flagship returns 48mpg and has emissions of 137g/km, which is very impressive given its performance. A 1.6-litre 116d EfficientDynamics model arrives soon, boasting 74mpg and 99g/km. It will be exempt from Road Tax and the London congestion charge, so should be a hit with buyers who are keen to cut their bills. All models also feature ECO PRO, another driving mode which subtly reduces throttle response and the load of items such as the air conditioning to improve economy without the driver even realising it.