Compare the Volkswagen Golf vs BMW 1 Series

Not the most exciting, but a brilliant all-rounder
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10
Uncomfortable on bad roads, but a delight to drive
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10

AI generated from our expert reviews

Both the Volkswagen Golf and the BMW 1 Series make it easy to find a comfortable driving position, and both are easy to drive in town. However, the Golf is more comfortable for bumbling around town, whereas the 1 Series is quite firm and jittery at low speeds. When it comes to passenger accommodation, three adults will find the back of the 1 Series a squeeze, with the boxier Golf proving better for carrying three. Inside, drivers of both cars will find the climate controls irritating to use on the move, with the Golf relying on haptic sliders and the BMW using touchscreen controls.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

Compare the specs

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Life 1.5 TSI Petrol Manual

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Sport 120 Step Auto Petrol Automatic

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Standard kit

  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Tow hitch
    A fitted towbar for pulling a trailer, caravan or bike rack.

Key information

Body type Hatchbacks Body type Hatchbacks
Available fuel types Petrol Available fuel types Petrol
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 381 litres (3 suitcases) Best Boot space, seats up 300 litres (2 suitcases)
Boot space, seats down — Boot space, seats down 1,135 litres
External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,284 mm x 1,789 mm x 1,491 mm External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,361 mm x 1,800 mm x 1,459 mm
Towing capacity 1,300 kg Towing capacity 1,300 kg
First year tax rate £455 First year tax rate £455
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
53.3 mpg
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
53.3 mpg
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 17 · good Best
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 21 · average
View full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 1.5 TSI Engine name 120 Step Auto
Engine size 1.5 L Petrol • 115 BHP Engine size 1.5 L Petrol • 156 BHP
Body type Hatchbacks Body type Hatchbacks
Fuel type Petrol Fuel type Petrol
Transmission Manual Transmission Automatic
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Forward gears 6 Forward gears 7
Acceleration 9.9 s (0-60 mph) Acceleration 7.8 s (0-60 mph) Best

Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 5
Boot (seats up) 381 litres Best Boot (seats up) 300 litres
Boot (seats down) — Boot (seats down) 1,135 litres
Length 4,284 mm Length 4,361 mm
Width 1,789 mm Width 1,800 mm
Height 1,491 mm Height 1,459 mm
Wheelbase 2.63 m Wheelbase 2.67 m
Turning circle 11.1 m Turning circle 11.7 m

Full features list

  • 17" Nottingham alloy wheels
  • Air care climatronic 3 Zone automatic climate control with rear air conditioning control panel
  • Ambient lighting with 30 colour including LED light unit in front footwell with selectable light colour
  • Area view including rear view camera with front and rear view camera system and two side cameras
  • Art Velours pack - Soul Black
  • Curtain and side airbags in front and rear, center airbag
  • Driving profile selection and conventional shock absorber
  • Dynamic steering
  • ErgoActive seat right-hand drive vehicle package with Sports comfort seats - Art velors cloth - Soul black
  • Folding trailer hitch with electric release
  • Harman/Kardon sound system including 12 channel digital amplifier, 480 watt output and 9 speakers plus subwoofer
  • Head up Display
  • LED matrix headlights with ambient light V2, advanced high beam, dynamic range contol with cornering, LED rear lamp with indicator, poor weather
  • LED performance headlight with LED plus headlamps, cornering light and poor weather light, Exterior ambient lighting variant 3
  • Maze cloth - Soul black
  • Metallic paint
  • Park assist with park distance control
  • Premium metallic paint
  • Premium pearlescent paint
  • Rear tinted glass 65% light absorbing from B pillar backwards
  • Rear view camera
  • Space and weight saving spare wheel incl tool kit and jack
  • Special solid paint
  • Sports suspension - Shock absorption in front, Front stabilizer bar and rear stabilizer bar
  • Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with 2X front and 2X rear LED reading lights
  • 3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • 3 rear three point seatbelts
  • Anti-lock brake system
  • Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Curtain and side airbags in front with centre airbag
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
  • Electronic parking brake with auto hold
  • Extended pedestrian protection measures
  • Front disc brakes
  • Rear disc brakes
  • Two tone horn
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • Volkswagen roadside assistance
  • Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened
  • 10 colour interior ambient lighting
  • 12V socket in front centre console
  • 12V socket in luggage compartment
  • 2 LED reading lights in front and rear
  • 3 rear head restraints
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Air care climatronic air conditioning system
  • Chrome plated radiator grille inserts, air vent surrounds and light switch surrounds
  • Door and side trim panel
  • Front + rear black carpet mats
  • Front centre armrest
  • Front comfort seats
  • Front head restraints
  • Front seat lumbar support adjuster
  • ISOFIX anchors for child seats on outer rear bench seats and on front passanger seat compatible for i-Size
  • Leather gearshift handle
  • Leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel
  • Luggage compartment lighting
  • Manual height adjustable front passenger seat
  • Manually height adjustable driver seat
  • Maze cloth upholstery
  • Rear cupholder and loadthough
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Soul black instrument panel
  • Split folding backrest with centre armrest and unsplit rear seat bench
  • Standard pedal cluster
  • Storm grey roof lining
  • Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Activated carbon canister
  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
  • Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor
  • Dynamic road sign display
  • E-Sim card for online connectivity
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Lane keeping system Lane Assist
  • Multi-color Digital cockpit pro, selection of different info profile possible
  • Multifunction front facing camera for distance control
  • Navigation system
  • Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support
  • Power assisted speed sensitive steering
  • Speed limiter
  • Speedo, rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display, exterior temperature and fuel gauge
  • Voice enhancer and voice control
  • We connect plus preparation
  • We connect preparation
  • Wireless app connect
  • eCall emergency call system
  • 3rd brake light
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Automatic headlamp activation with Coming home and Leaving home feature
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour door mirrors
  • Dynamic headlight range control
  • Exterior ambient lighting with illuminated door handles
  • Exterior mirrors convex on the left and aspherical on the right
  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Heat insulating glass in side and rear windows
  • Heat insulating windshield made of laminated glass
  • LED Headlights
  • LED rear combination lights
  • LED separate daytime running light
  • Rain sensor
  • Rear exhaust tailpipe
  • Rear fog light on one side and reversing lights on both sides
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay
  • Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror
  • Solid paint
  • Standard bumpers
  • Welcome light with surround lighting
  • Petrol Particulate Filter
  • Start-stop system with battery regeneration (recuperation - energy recovery during braking)
  • XDS electronic differential lock for improved traction and handling
  • Alarm with interior protection
  • Anti theft wheel bolts
  • Keyless start with SAFE lock
  • Preparation for alcohol interlock
  • 2 USB C ports in front, 2 USB charging sockets on the centre console in the rear charging capacity upto 45W
  • 6 Speakers - 4 in front and 2 in rear with central speaker
  • Digital radio reception (DAB)
  • Diversity antenna for FM reception
  • Gaming platform via car app
  • Infotainment system with 12.9" display
  • Mobile phone interface with inductive charging feature
  • Nature cross brushed decorative inserts for dashboard and front door panels
  • 16" Norfolk alloy wheels
  • Tool kit for tyre mobility set
  • Tyre mobility kit Includes 12V compressor and tyre sealant
  • 17" light Y spoke alloy wheel in refined silver - style 972
  • 18" light Y spoke Bi-colour diamond-polished alloy wheels in gunmetal grey - style 974
  • Active driver and front passenger seats with electric lumbar support and massage function
  • Automatic tailgate operation
  • BMW Individual Frozen paint
  • BMW Individual special request paint
  • Black contrast roof and door mirror caps
  • Black contrast roof with black matt grained roof moulding
  • Cloth - Anthracite
  • Econeer - Multicolour blue with dark side bolsters
  • Econeer upholstery
  • Electric front seat adjustment - drivers with memory
  • Electric panoramic glass sunroof
  • Front sports seats
  • Harman/Kardon surround sound audio system with 12 speakers
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Illuminated Aluminium graphite interior trim
  • Individual metallic paint
  • Luggage compartment separating nets
  • Metallic paint
  • Model designation deletion
  • Perforated Veganza upholstery
  • Perforated veganza - Black
  • Perforated veganza - Mokka
  • Perforated veganza - Oyster
  • Perforated veganza - Red/black
  • Sun protection glass
  • Through-load system
  • Towbar with detachable ball
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight
  • BMW radiator grille with vertical and diagonal kidney bars
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour mirror caps
  • Chrome exhaust twin tailpipes round 90mm in left
  • Contoured M rear spoiler in vehicle colour with side aeroblades in high gloss black
  • Direction indicator side lights in exterior mirrors
  • Electrically adjustable door mirrors
  • Fading support
  • Follow me home headlights
  • Front and rear electric windows with open and close fingertip control, anti trap facility and comfort closing
  • Front bumper in Body colour with exclusive Sport air inlets finished in High gloss Black
  • Front door sill finishers in black plastic with BMW designation in metallic look
  • Grained matt black roof strip
  • Green tinted heat protection glazing
  • Heated rear window
  • High gloss black exterior mirrors
  • High gloss shadowline window frame, Recess cover mirror frames and B/C pillar embelisher trim
  • High level third brake light
  • Integrated front windscreen with washer jets
  • LED Headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED eyebrow turn indicators
  • LED front fog lights
  • Lightweight engineering
  • Manual headlight beam throw control
  • Manual headlight levelling
  • Matt black air guide grilles
  • Matt black wheel arch trim
  • Model badge on tailgate right
  • Model designation on electric bootlid
  • Nearside reverse light in rear light cluster
  • Power folding and heated door mirrors
  • Preparation for high beam assistant
  • Rain sensor
  • Rear bumper in Body colour with exclusive Sport design elements finished in High gloss Black
  • Rear fog lights
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear window wiper
  • Shark fin antenna
  • Solid paint
  • Trailer stabilisation logic
  • Visible VIN plate
  • Welcome lighting
  • 4G LTE connectivity
  • Attentiveness assist
  • BMW ConnectedDrive online services
  • BMW Live Cockpit Plus with 10.25" instrument cluster and 10.7" display
  • BMW Teleservices
  • BMW remote services
  • Bluetooth / WiFi interface for wireless connection of mobile terminal devices and audio streaming
  • Check Control warning system for monitoring of lights and door/luggage compartment open warning
  • Cruise control with braking function
  • Eco pro mode
  • Electric power steering with Servotronic steering optimised at all speed ranges
  • Flat airvents in instrument panel with adjustable slats
  • Front axle single joint with specific axle kinematics to minimise drive influences on steering + provide increased rigidity agile driving behaviour
  • Integrated owners handbook
  • My modes (Personal / Efficient / Sport)
  • Oil sensor for level and grade
  • On board computer
  • Optimum shift indicator
  • Personal Profile
  • Personal e-SIM
  • Pull away assistant
  • Rigidly mounted rear subframe - Multi link construction with separate spring / damper configuration and excellent driving characteristics
  • Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto
  • Speed limiter
  • 12V power socket in front centre console with blanking plug
  • 3 rear seat head restraints
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 3 spoke black walknappa M leather steering with black stitching, shift paddled boost inscription, shaped thumb rests, specific M Badge
  • Anthracite front and rear floor mats
  • Black boot net with lashing eyes
  • Cargo function on 2nd seat row
  • Child seat ISOFIX attachment for two outer rear seats and front passenger seat with anchorage points
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Conditioned based service
  • Driver and front passenger backrest net on rear
  • Driver and front passenger seat heating
  • Driver side folding compartment in instrument panel
  • Dual zone automatic air conditioning with extended contents
  • Folding rear clothes hook
  • Footrest and pedals in black plastic
  • Four grab handles integrated in roof lining
  • Front and rear door pockets with bottle holders
  • Front and rear side armrest integrated into door trim
  • Front armrest with storage compartment
  • Glove compartment
  • Height adjustable front head restraints
  • Luggage compartment for bag hooks on left and right, foldable luggage compartment liner and four lashing eyelets
  • Manual adjust driver/passenger seats
  • Manual adjust steering wheel
  • Multi-function controls for steering wheel
  • Rear armrest integrated in door trim panel
  • Rear seat backrest with manual 60:40 split folding with 3 top tether clips integrated on rear of seat panels
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Storage compartment in centre console
  • Storage compartment in luggage compartment
  • Stowage of the parcel shelf in luggage compartment trim
  • Sun visors with vanity mirrors and insert tab
  • Two front centre console cupholders
  • Type C two USB ports in rear centre console
  • Upper retaining strap integrated into backrest rear panels
  • Central locking switch for all doors, fuel filler cap and luggage compartment
  • Deadlocking function system to all doors
  • Drive away locking system on all doors and luggage compartment with de-activated in iDrive settings
  • Locking wheel bolts
  • Remote central locking with two Integrate key, one button for opening and closing all lock, open and close window, button for open luggage compartment
  • Start/stop button illuminated in centre console with keyless engine start and auto start stop deactivation button
  • Thatcham Cat.1 alarm and immobiliser
  • Wheel slip limitation close to the actuator (ARB)
  • 2 tone horn
  • 3 point seatbelts on all seats, front pyrotechnic belt tensioners, stopper and belt force limiters, rear coded belt buckles
  • Airbags - Front driver/passenger, front and rear curtain head protection, front side, manual deactivation of front passenger airbag
  • Anti lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist
  • BMW emergency call
  • Brake drying
  • Braking readiness
  • Child proof locking system in rear door
  • Comfort modes
  • Cornering brake control
  • Crash sensor activating of airbags, Unlocking doors, hazard warning lights, interior light, safety battery terminal
  • Driver and front passenger seat belt security check
  • Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
  • Dynamic stability control + (DSC+)
  • Electrically operated hand brake including automatic hold function
  • Front and rear disc brakes
  • Seatbelt warning
  • Side impact protection
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • 49 litre fuel tank
  • 7 speed automatic transmission with double clutch technology
  • Aluminium lightweight construction
  • Anti roll bar front and rear
  • Balancer shaft
  • Double VANOS twin scroll turbocharging system
  • Drive Performance Control
  • Electronic differential lock
  • Electronic selector lever
  • High precision injection
  • Petrol Particulate Filter
  • Suspension with twin tube gas filled shock absorbers with degressive characteristic curve
  • VALVETRONIC engine management
  • DAB Digital radio
  • Stereo speaker system with 2 mid range speakers in the front door trims and rear parcel shelf + 2 central bass speakers underneath the front seats
  • Active Guard pack - 1 Series
  • Interior lights pack - 1 Series
  • Parking assistant pack - 1 Series
  • 17" light Y spoke alloy wheel in lightning grey - style 971
  • Reduced rolling resistance tyres
  • Tyre repair kit plus - tyre sealant, autonomous power supply via rechargeable battery, wheel attachment via magnets & mounting pin, auto tyre filling
  • Dark silver interior trim

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.