BMW 1 Series vs VW Golf and Mazda 3 - pictures

We see if the facelifted BMW 1 Series in 116d EfficientDynamics guise can offer the best of both worlds to business and family buyers by pitting it against the VW Golf and Mazda 3. 

The 116d comes in at £22,560, while our model had a few extras and is priced at £27,095. 

It's powered by a 1.5-litre 3cyl turbodiesel, producing 114bhp. 

Inside, the dashboard is logically laid out, and feels solidly constructed with high-quality materials. 

Rear space is decent in the 1 Series, but passengers will have to contend with a high transmission tunnel thanks to the car's rear-wheel drive setup. 

Boot capacity stands at 360 litres which is fairly average for the class, plus there's plenty of storage elsewhere in the cabin.

The BMW's looks remain divisive, but a facelift has made it look less awkward with a familiar BMW family face. 

Rear lights inspired by the 6 Series are a welcome addition. 

Inside, there's a great widescreen display for cars fitted with sat nav. 

There's significant vibration through the gearlever even at idle and when the car starts up. 

LED headlights are a £645 extra on this 1 Series. 

Rear lights are no in line with larger BMWs, and make the 1 Series look much more mature and classy. 

Rear-wheel drive layout makes for fun cornering, plus the steering is light and precise. 

The skinny, eco-friendly tyres are surprisingly grippy, but they can cause the 1 Series to lurch uncomfortably during quick changes of direction. 

The 116d has well weighted controls and serves up plenty of enjoyment on the road. 

The Golf we test here is the 1.6 TDI Match with 104bhp, although the car in our pictures is a GT. 

In Match spec, the Golf comes in at £21,960 and promises economy of 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2. 

The smart cabin in the Golf features high quality materials and the well laid out dash is angled towards the driver. 

The Golf's size is deceiving. It has the most space in this test, with 50mm more legroom than the 1 Series and Mazda 3. 

The boot is the largest on test, too - at 380 litres. There's a variable height floor, plus a wide opening and low lip. 

The car in the pictures is a GT, but in any trim the Golf looks classy. 

It can't quite match the Mazda for sleek kerb appeal, but its understated style means it's as comfortable outside a five star hotel as it is on the school run. 

Standard kit list isn't as generous as some rivals, while the optional sat nav will set you back £750. The large touchscreen is a lesson in simplicity and ease of use, though. 

Chrome trim on the front of the car contributes to a classy look. 

Rear lights on the Golf feature VW's latest light signature. 

Body control in the lightweight and nippy Golf is stronger than the BMW 1 Series, but it's not quite as engaging as the Mazda 3. 

The steering is quick and naturally weighted, while the VW's clever XDS differential helps curb understeer and boost traction. The nimble handling doesn't come at the expense of comfort and refinement, either. 

Tested here in 2.2D 150 Sport Nav trim, the Mazda 3 costs £22,490. 

The engine produces 146bhp, easily making it the fastest on test here. 

The interior of the Mazda is very driver-focused, with a low-set driving position and a well laid out dash. 

The Mazda is the longer and wider than the Golf and 1 Series, but this extra size doesn't translate into more interior space. It's level-pegging with the 1 Series for rear head and legroom, while the small and sloping rear windows make

The Mazda 3 has a well shaped 364-litre load bay, which can be increased to 1,263 by lowering the rear bench. 

The Mazda 3 stands out compared to its rivals thanks to muscular bodykit and 18-inch alloy wheels. 

With its bold blend of creases and curves, sloping roofline and gaping chrome-trimmed grille, the Mazda looks more dynamic. 

Mazda's standard kit list is impressive, including sat-nav and climate control. 

Switchgear feels solid and robust, while a knurled metal finish to the iDrive-style infotainment controller feels pleasant to use. 

Swept-back xenon headlights feature LED daytime running lights and contribute to the 3's sporty look. 

The Mazda emits the most CO2 emissions of our trio here, but its 107g/km figure is impressive when you consider its performance advantage. The 3's blend of power and efficiency is largely down to the brand's SkyActiv technology, which

It's hard not to get carried away with the Mazda's driving experience. With its well weighted steering, short-throw gearshift and balanced handling, the 3 is very bit as fun as a hot hatch from behind the wheel. 

During extreme cornering, the Mazda can't quite match the cast iron body control of the Golf, but it still feels less wayward than the 1 Series. It is beautifully balanced, though.