The BMW 1 Series hatch is one of those strange cars that, the lesser the model, the more genuinely engaging it is.
I recently tested the M135 variant and was left feeling rather ambivalent about a car that, on paper, should tick most of my boxes, so to speak.
A small hatch with big power (221kW) and a slick interior should, in theory at least, always make me happy and add BMW’s unrepentantly enthusiast-based attitude towards being “the ultimate driving machine” should make it instant love.
But it didn’t. Sure, the dynamics in Sport mode were superb, but its low speed behaviour was lacking, with a ride that was fidgety and harsh at low speeds - almost like a throwback to the bad old days of sports suspension and the first generation of run-flat tyres - and a transmission that was determined to get into as high a gear as possible as soon as possible, highlighting the engine’s lack of low down torque.
All of this made it disappointingly unsatisfying at normal, everyday speeds and downright irritating at low speeds. Not something you expect from a $100k BMW.
So I was generally down on the 1 Series hatch, but then I drove the $68,900 120 hatch with its 125kW/280Nm 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol mild hybrid engine driving the front wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. And guess what? I absolutely loved it.
The 120 gets a similar interior to the M135, but obviously shorn of the flashy M bits (and all the better for it, in my opinion), but still of impressively high quality for a small hatch, imparting it with a feel of being a proper high end car in a small package.
Comfortable seats and a modern, techy cabin that wraps around the driver snakes for a superb driving position, although the infotainment system could be a bit flaky at times.
While it isn’t anywhere near as powerful as the M135, its delightfully agile and eager nature was pure small FWD hatch fun.
The 120’s little 3-cylinder engine is an absolutely fantastic unit, with a growly but refined nature and strong, enthusiastic power delivery. Not, it’s not as powerful or aggressive as the M135, but it is better in one crucial area - the mild hybrid assist nicely fills any lack of low-down torque, while the transmission either responds better to this or (more likely) is programmed better than in the M135 and isn’t quite so desperate to get into the higher gears.
This is no doubt a fuel economy thing in the M135, while the 120 is frugal enough (5.4l/100km WLTP compared to the AWD M135’s 7.6l/100km WLTP) and, unlike the AWD car, was actually achievable in real world driving.
It is also an absolute blast on a winding back road as, while it isn’t anywhere near as powerful as the M135, its delightfully agile and eager nature was pure small FWD hatch fun.
Turn in is sharp and precise, while the nose tracks beautifully through corners, and the relatively modest power means you can get in the throttle early and hard on the way out, making it fun and feisty on a winding road. Just like a small FWD hatch should be.
It is also superbly comfortable around town, lacking the M135s’ sportier suspension and its fidgety nature that came from that.
The eager three-cylinder engine is a charming and surprisingly punchy unit, while the chassis is superb.
While the 120 looks even more like an unassuming mass-market small hatch than the M135 did, the fact remains that it is a charming, superbly competent and high quality package that delivers everything you expect from a BMW in a compact package.
How much is the BMW 120?
The 120 is the sole non-M entry in the local 1 Series range and kicks it off at $68,900, which is quite a lot for a small hatch, but pretty reasonable for a BMW.
What are the key statistics for the BMW 120?
The 120 is powered by a 125kW/280Nm version of BMW's excellent 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that drives the front wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Is the BMW 120 efficient?
It sure is - BMW claims a combined average fuel consumption of 5.4l/100km for the 120, but it is relatively easy to do better than this without too much effort.
Is the BMW 120 good to drive?
Combining the perky little powertrain with a mild-hybrid boost and the 1 Series' fantastic chassis makes for a small car that is an absolute joy to drive, regardless of whether you are thrashing it down a winding road or just pottering around town.
Is the BMW 120 practical?
Like all small hatches the 120 packs maximum practicality into a compact package with aplomb. The 300 litre boot increases to 1135 when you drop the rear seats, while there are plenty of thoughtful storage cubbies around the cabin.
What do we like about the BMW 120?
The eager three-cylinder engine is a charming and surprisingly punchy unit, while the chassis is superb. It has enough power to be fun, yet still manages to be impressively frugal. Interior quality is absolutely top-notch as well.
What don’t we like about the BMW 120?
At $68,900 the 120 is a big ask for a small car, but the option packages take it to another level and it is very easy to get the 120 over $80k. And if you want to stick as close to that entry price as possible, then white is the only colour you can have - every other colour adds between $2000 and $500, or up to a whopping $8400 for a custom BMW Individual paint finish...
What kind of person would the BMW 120 suit?
Someone who is after a high-quality European car in a compact package that still offers all the traditional values BMWs are known for.
