BMW 1 Series - Interior, design and technology

BMW has changed so much on the latest 1 Series that rather than call it a facelift, it has given the car a new generation codename (F70), as opposed to the F40 that arrived in 2019. 

You can tell it’s the same body underneath, but BMW has added a completely revised front end with a new grille, thinner headlights and bumper layout. The rear gets a similar treatment, with a reshaped bumper and rear lights influenced by the latest X2. 

The basic Sport version gets 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a gloss black exterior trim and non-metallic paint. While it certainly looks premium enough compared with other cars in the sector, the eye-catching nature of the design has been diluted somewhat, thanks to a more rounded front end look. 

The M Sport, as you’d expect, is a little sportier on the outside with 18-inch alloys, unique M Sport bumpers front and rear, plus M Sport side skirts. Non-metallic Alpine White is the only no-cost paint option available. 

As for the M135, it’s a slight shame it looks indistinguishable to the regular 120 M Sport at the front, aside from an M badge located within a grille that has a bespoke horizontal slat design. There’s a quad-tip exhaust system to the rear, though – a staple of outright BMW M models – plus a rear spoiler and chunkier, M-style wing mirrors. The M135 comes with 18-inch wheels as standard, while two designs of 19-inch rims are available as options. 

There are seven optional paints, with the Thundernight purple metallic particularly standing out – fans of BMW’s vibrant Techno Violet paint from the Nineties will no doubt appreciate this shade. Of the seven, there are two matte finishes from the BMW Individual catalogue – blue and grey. 

What is the BMW 1 Series like inside?

The BMW 1 Series received extensive changes to the interior as part of the latest 2024 updates. The dual-screen layout, steering wheel and dashboard design are all new to help bring it in line with the rest of BMW’s range, despite being the entry-level model. Jump inside and it’ll immediately look and feel recognisable as a 1 Series, which is unquestionably a compliment. 

The base 120 Sport is a little drab inside, although there’s ambient lighting as standard along with heated front seats upholstered in cloth and a new, very thick-rimmed sport steering wheel. 

The 120 M Sport livens things up with M-coloured stitching on the dash, sport seats in Alcantara, further M stitching on the seats and centre console, plus an M Sport leather steering wheel. 

There’s not much difference inside between the M135 and the M Sport, which is a little disappointing. You’ll find a 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel and an uprated Harman Kardon sound system.

What is the interior quality like? 

As we’ve come to expect from the 1 Series, the interior quality is up there with the best in its class. Everything feels built to last and screwed together properly. 

The standard of materials used is also impressive. From the base 120 Sport to the M135, there’s an aluminium surround to the centre console switches and on the dash, plus the plastics don’t feel too cheap either (aside from the bottom spoke in the steering wheel, which is a little flimsy-looking). Some might also feel that stitching in BMW’s M division colours looks a little tacky on a three-cylinder mild-hybrid.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

BMW is rolling out a new twin-screen layout across its range, and while the standard-fit 10.7-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch driver’s display aren’t as big as the 14.9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver’s display you’ll find in BMW’s larger models, they’re the right sizes for the 1 Series. 

A new operating system arrives on the new-look screens, and it’s far more premium than the previous generation, but just as easy to navigate. We’ve found it to be a little delayed in its responses, however, such as when switching between menus. The menu shortcuts next to the touchscreen (which larger BMW’s don’t get) are a useful touch. 

With the new 2024 car, BMW also removed the rotary iDrive controller in the centre console. While this decision was made due to costs, it doesn’t overly affect the use of the touchscreen, which is easily within arm’s reach of the driver. The integration of the climate controls into the touchscreen is a step in the wrong direction ergonomically, although they’re always visible at the bottom of the screen. 

It’s also possible to add a head-up display as part of the ‘Technology Plus Pack’. We found the display to be easy to read on the move without being too distracting, and the configurability is pretty good, too.