New BMW 1-series review, test drive

BMW 1-series promises to be a driver-focussed luxury hatchback. Will this approach work for the company?

Published on Oct 11, 2013 11:07:00 PM

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You don’t expect an entry-level variant to have all the bells and whistles, but in the base 116i, even basic equipment is missing. It’s not just the absence of BMW’s iDrive system that leaves you feeling short changed. There is no climate control, the seats are manually adjusted, and the absence of an armrest or lid for the box between the front seats looks particularly cheap. Forget about leather seats or a sunroof, must-have items like USB and Bluetooth connectivity are also missing. The fact that a Hyundai hatchback is better equipped is just inexcusable.

To make amends, BMW has packed the top-end 118d Sportline Plus with all the goodies, like all-leather electric sports seats, auto xenon lamps, rain-sensing wipers and a sunroof. But there’s an expensive catch. The difference between the on-road prices of the base 116i and 118d Sportline Plus is over Rs 10 lakh!

The dashboard design is familiar BMW territory. It’s uncluttered, has the centre console canted towards the driver and an instrument cluster that houses large and clear dials. There are nice touches like the metal finish on the pedals and chunky door handles, but the switches all feel a bit too small and aren’t great to operate. The cabin’s quality and ambience are well judged for an entry-level BMW, but it’s short on pizzazz and doesn’t have the drama of the A-class. The front seats on the Sportline Plus are incredibly supportive, with adjustable thigh support and strong side bolsters to keep you in place whilst cornering hard.

At the rear, the 1-series isn’t as cramped as its cabin suggests. BMW engineers have managed to carve out space where it matters and headroom (the roof liner is scooped out) and legroom are decent. The squab too is quite generous, but what marks comfort down is the lack of lower back support and a backrest that’s a touch too upright. Also, the high transmission tunnel makes it difficult for a middle passenger to sit, and hence, the 1-series is strictly a four-seater. The boot is quite big for a hatchback