BMW 1 Series Lease Deals

The BMW 1 Series is the smallest car BMW sells in the UK: a five-seat, five-door hatchback that puts a premium cabin and a sporting chassis into a 4.36 m footprint. It suits drivers who want a compact car without giving up badge, kit or driving pleasure.

It sits below the larger saloons and SUVs in BMW's range and is the usual entry point to the brand. The current 1 Series has been on sale in this third-generation form since 2024, and the line-up is deliberately simple.

One body style, petrol power only with an automatic gearbox, three everyday trims - Sport, M Sport and M Sport Pro - plus the 296 bhp M135. That's the whole choice, which makes it an easy range to specify.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

About the BMW 1 Series

The 1 Series is a compact premium hatchback built around driving feel and cabin quality rather than outright space. Five seats, a boot of 300 to 380 litres depending on version, and a 3-year, unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.

Reviewers consistently praise the interior materials, the curved display and the way it handles a back road, while noting that rear-seat room and boot space are only average for the class. Road testers also point out that the firmer set-ups can feel busy around town.

At 1.80 m wide and with an 11.7 m turning circle, it's a car that fits British streets and multi-storey car parks without much fuss.

Why lease a BMW 1 Series?

Because the standard specification is unusually complete, which matters more on a lease than on a purchase: you pick a trim, not a shopping list of options. Every version gets heated front seats, keyless entry and start, built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and assistance kit is standard across the range too - autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, active lane-change assist, traffic sign recognition, a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors. Euro NCAP awarded the current car 4 stars, with 78% for adult occupant protection and 84% for child occupants.

Adaptive suspension, dual-zone climate control and a fixed towbar are fitted to every version as well. Servicing falls due every 24 months or 18,000 miles.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

View BMW 1 Series deals

Which 1 Series powertrain is right for me?

There's only one decision to make here, and no plug involved: every 1 Series is petrol, automatic, and available with front- or all-wheel drive depending on the version you choose.

Petrol

Power runs from 154 bhp to 296 bhp, with 1.5 to 2.0-litre engines of three or four cylinders and a 7-speed gearbox throughout. WLTP economy is quoted at 37.2 to 53.3 mpg and CO2 at 121 to 173 g/km, so the lower-powered versions are the frugal ones. Nothing to charge, ever.

BMW 1 Series at a glance

Which 1 Series trim should I choose?

Pick on wheels, upholstery and cabin tech rather than on equipment gaps, because the core kit is shared. All four versions carry the same navigation, driver assistance and climate control.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

Sport

The entry version has 154 bhp and front-wheel drive, 17-inch Y-spoke Style 971 alloy wheels and cloth upholstery, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and BMW Live Cockpit Plus with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch display. The Sport is currently available from £396.55 a month.

M Sport

M Sport is mostly about the look and the feel: sports suspension, front sports seats, 18-inch Y-spoke Style 975 alloys and Alcantara upholstery, plus a gearshift time display in manual mode. The M Sport is currently available from £253.08 a month. Against the Sport, that is currently £143.47/mo cheaper. Best value

M Sport Pro

M Sport Pro takes the M Sport recipe and adds privacy glass and 19-inch Y-spoke Style 976 alloy wheels - a styling step rather than a technology one. The M Sport Pro is currently available from £454.34 a month. Against the M Sport, that is currently £201.26/mo more expensive.

M135

Then there's the performance 1 Series. The M135 has 296 bhp and all-wheel drive, covers 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds, and adds launch control, paddle shifters and a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system on 18-inch Y-spoke Style 975 alloys. The M135 is currently available from £340.76 a month. Against the M Sport Pro, that is currently £113.58/mo cheaper. Best value

Across all four, a panoramic roof, massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, an electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory, a powered tailgate, wireless phone charging and automatic high beam are available as factory options. The Tech+ and Pro packs bundle adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist, a wireless charging tray and a head-up display. Our guide to choosing your spec is worth a read before you commit, because options are fixed for the life of the contract.

Similar cars to consider

If you're weighing up premium hatchbacks, the Audi A3 is the obvious cross-shop. You can also browse the wider BMW range if a larger or electric model would suit you better.

Audi A3Covers similar ground

From £296.06 a month

BMW 1 Series FAQs

Specifications from BMW's UK data and Euro NCAP; equipment and availability vary by version, so check the individual deal.

Page updated 19 September 2026 by First Vehicle Leasing. Prices and availability shown on this page are live and change as deals are refreshed.