2013 BMW 1-series India review, test drive

The top trims of the 1-series get sports seats that are electrically adjustable. They are very comfortable, with thick bolstering that is very supportive; you can even extend the seat squab for added thigh support. The cushioning is a tad firm, but all the extra support helps when this car is driven hard.

The rear seat is best for two people only. This is because the rear wheel drive setup and it's large transmission tunnel running through the centre of the car comes in the way of legroom for a third passenger. Still, the overall legroom is decent and the headroom is surprisingly good, thanks to a scooped out roof section. The seat, however, is a bit low, so comfort is not as good as it could have been thanks to a strangely scooped out seat back. What’s important is that neither of its competitors fares much better; visibility from the back seat of the A-class is poor, and the V40 has very poor headroom.

This car has been engineered with the driver in focus and this is quite apparent as soon as you get behind the wheel. There’s a beautiful heft to the steering, despite it being an electric unit, and it instantly feels just right. Light enough not to be a chore, but feel-some enough to relay messages up from the front wheels, the steering keeps you abreast of goings on between the road and the tyre. And this gives the driver tremendous confidence.