Car Statistics: BMW - 1 Series 04 (3 stars)

Styling (2 stars)

Only a mother could love the 1's strange combination of conflicting design themes.

Handling (4 stars)

Rear wheel drive brings excellent handling with it - loads of grip and pleasantly neutral cornering behaviour.

Comfort (3 stars)

Sometimes choppy ride quality detracts from refinement, while rear seat passengers will complain about the lack of legroom.

Quality (4 stars)

A quality item, although some of the switchgear feels a little bit cheap and plasticky.

Performance (3 stars)

The basic 116i, 118i and 118d all lack much in the way of urge - and the 130i looks very expensive for what you get. 120d is the best all-rounder.

Roominess (2 stars)

Borderline unacceptable for a car trying to compete in this segment. Rear seats are very cramped and the boot is small.

Costs (4 stars)

Respectable thanks to decent fuel economy and low depreciation, plus the option of fixed-price servicing.

Value (3 stars)

The cheapest way to get yourself behind the BMW roundel, but poor standard equipment (the base models don't even get aircon) means it looks expensive for what you get.

Stereo (3 stars)

Standard stereo offers decent quality, although you have to pay extra for steering wheel remote controls. Satnav is an expensive option considering relatively simple system you get.