BMW 1 Series 2025 preview: Next-gen M135 and 118 headline new small car rival to Mercedes A-Class

The 2025 BMW 1 Series small hatchback has been revealed, with the new 'F70' model representing the fourth generation of the German brand's entry-level offering. While not a ground-up redesign, the latest 1er does immediately identify itself as a next-gen contender in the premium segment, which is co-headlined by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3.
So, what does the new 1 Series have in store? Well, the big news is it's the first model to ditch 'i' from the naming structure for its petrol-powered variants. As such, the 118i has become the 118, and the M135i xDrive is now the M135 xDrive, in an effort to provide further differentiation from BMW's fully electric 'i' models.
But in this walk-around preview, CarsGuide Managing Editor Tim Nicholson gets up close and personal with the new 1 Series, specifically the M135 xDrive, to what out what else is new, including its restyled exterior and interior, improved tech and fresh features.
#BMW #1Series #News
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00:00 Intro
00:57 Model range
01:43 Design
04:26 Interior
06:08 Under the bonnet
06:59 Pricing and features
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Read Tim's full news story: bit.ly/3Ksv0Fo
Check out our BMW 1 Series hub: bit.ly/3KunSZh
Find more hatchbacks: bit.ly/3JDWjwx
Find the latest news: bit.ly/3TNhq5d
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[@marcnaorisaakwunschmann353]

seriously, the design is getting worse and worse!!!

[@thato_mataboge]

It's not getting worse. Are you expecting new cars to keep looking like they were made in the early 2000s?

[@blacksupreme3604]

the F40 looks way better. This doesn't look great...

[@TheRealKingOfHun]

This KIA Ceed looks superb!😊😅

[@sambowks]

BMW used to have class

[@thato_mataboge]

It's not the early 90s or 2000s. Get over it.

[@GMTron]

The transversal FWD approach to 1 series has put me off to upgrade my F20. Seems like I will need to go for a G2x or a 2 series coupe to keep the RWD BMW heritage....

[@user-gt4lc1pn6m]

Bmw copied the Kia design 😭

[@Konrad-cj8fr]

Sure. Eyes broken

[@UltraJaff]

I can’t unsee the Kia Ceeds face on this

[@rafikshahnazarian7632]

Great Review.what a good looking car👍👍

[@muzzamiel5550]

Looks like a Ford fiesta St 😅

[@Konrad-cj8fr]

Decide trolls. Is it fiesta, mazda or hyundai?

[@muzzamiel5550]

@@Konrad-cj8fr why you getting hurt, we know you can't afford it 😂

[@Konrad-cj8fr]

@@muzzamiel5550 ok you going by bus😂

[@Scappa8]

I want to see how the front compliments the 2 series gran coupe. This is a it will grow on you type sitch I think

[@vijaymistry4169]

They are removing the i because electric starts with an i

[@hogman3543]

Looks great there were people complaining about the new M3 and M4 design but now everyone love's it

[@Rangatology]

Looks like a Mazda from the side

[@Konrad-cj8fr]

Of course.

[@Konrad-cj8fr]

Decide trolls. Kia mazda or Fiat?

[@mvnorsel6354]

Black roof on cars are such a hot feature.

[@Eduulopez]

Por dentro para un pc gamer esta bien, pero para un coche dame menos luces y mas botones manuales porfavor, menos digital que estamos conduciendo no en el sofa de casa, todo tactil es terrorífico y perfecto para que te quiten puntos y te distraigas mas al volante 😅

[@dna1238]

Revolution rather than evolution,on the exterior at least !

[@Mika-lr4zh]

A long time ago a BMW with a M badge really meant that you were buying a fantastic looking fast desirable sporty car. Now the M badge can be on the most ugliest van with windows!

[@THEFLASH-nc8gs]

will it have a plug in version later this year? Like the 4x4 plug-in on the x1 ? Or something similar ? Or will it have a mild hybrid with a 4x4 ?

[@carsguide]

There is no word on a plug-in hybrid version of the new 1 Series, yet. Whether or not BMW introduces this down the track, it would likely be for Europe only given the small volumes in Australia. Europe also gets a 48-volt hybrid powertrain that we don't get in Australia. And all-wheel drive will be kept for the M135 xDrive.

[@pony65kgt]

Not a fan of the hidden exhaust and rear splitter/diffuser is too big and out of place without it on the 120, still looks too big on the M135 even with the twin exhaust. If the interiors focus (front end anybody?) is on the stitching and ambient lighting, that tells you all about the layout and true to that, compared to the F40, that's a really bland dash set-out. The twin screens is a real disappointment, at least put the drivers one in a housing and not make it look like it was added after the fact. Bring back the angel/halo lights and hide the black radar (whatever it's called) somewhere other than the grille, it just doesn't look right, besides the fact it looks like it's off a KIA. I was hoping for something I could update my F20 LCI with, but the F40 and the F70 definitely don't fit the bill.

[@Rocketed12]

And a big M1 before the small 35. For some, that will psychologically imply an M1 car 😉 (7 speed DCT, not torque converter)

[@tt.k1794]

Just like many haters. I love the previous generation. I Will love this later when i start to hate new 2030 model then!

[@nyashaclemate2436]

Ford Puma

[@themoreyouknqw3555]

The front end looks ugly.. Looks like a cheap Korean car

[@jayjohnben]

Looks like a ford focus!🤣😂🤣

[@sergiobg8637]

Ugly? Seriously guys, take care of yourself...

[@vladinegrini183]

Ich besitze einen BMW 120D F40 MSport 190 PS. Erklären Sie mir, warum ich eine 120D F70 mit einem lächerlichen 163-PS-Motor kaufen sollte... Ich werde von Ford PUMA demoliert

[@mvnorsel6354]

I have always liked the eye , shame.

[@phunk8607]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm that's a Kia!

[@Konrad-cj8fr]

Decide trolls! Is it fiesta, mazda, hyundai or kia?

[@UltraJaff]

@@Konrad-cj8frKia Fiesta

[@Murat-kq2ko]

Ön taraf olmamis

[@siamparagon9250]

That bonnet shut line is absolutely HORRID!! What the heck?? Urgh

[@mandk6089]

Buy a Corolla. It's cheaper and more reliable.

[@mattyoz0]

And slow as and half the interior quality.

[@mandk6089]

​@@mattyoz0It does the speed limit.

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@mattyoz0 Last point true, but there is very little difference in performance between GR Corolla and M135 as far as I know. Especially now the M135 will have reduced power than the previous M135i (not sure if that is due to Euro 6e emissions or due to the new dual-clutch transmission being weaker than the Toyota (!) Aisin torque converter automatic it had before).

[@mattyoz0]

@@TassieLorenzo It has more power and less torque in this new model. The corolla won't do under 5's to 100kph, the interior is very average and it doesn't come in an auto atm. I owned a GR Yaris rallye and it wasn't quick at all.

[@chillout1109]

No thanks. Give me the Audi S3 and the AMG A35 any time.

[@user-ev2px3mi2g]

❤❤❤

[@venchy72]

Look, it’s not bad.

[@Murph_82]

What have bmw done! 🤦‍♂️

[@rpg5017]

as a long term customer and lover of BMWs over the years. This one is a big ugly mistake!!. I do love tech and gadgets, but the idea of everything being in that screen is a bad idea. Some things are best left as buttons and dials eg. the vents etc. So if the screen fails or is non-responsive = added frustration to the driver. I have my 2nd 128ti - which, still looks more beautiful than this. However, could see some of the things BMW have removed to make it more plastic. From what I can see with this model is that they have literally made it look cheap and plastic all over with no real character! BMW dashboards had a charm to them...sigh..sadly not quite seeing it here.... Those 3 threads do not help either - who the heck thought of that! grrr sad times :( rant over. It is v1.x so I hope in a year or more there will be drastic improvements.....

[@justanmpowereddude5021]

This review was biased or paid, there is nothing handsome about the new front end, its just "okay" at best and ugly at worst 😂..

[@kurisanintsakuri8354]

It's dane with BMW 🚮🚮🚮

[@deaddevil13]

Это явно какая-то KIA CEED GT, но не 1 Series. Последняя красивая копейка была F40, смотрелась брутально. А этот обмылок сложно назвать BMW даже издалека.

[@fcheppy9229]

Awful!! Looks like a Ford fiesta from the front! Thankfully, I bought the new Mercedes A35 facelift which is miles better!

[@Alpeueli]

🤮