BMW 1 Series vs Golf and A-Class
PLENTY of new BMWs were launched this year, but perhaps the most interesting was the 1 Series. The model had undergone a total revamp and was barely related to the car that came before it, so we put BMW’s all-new family hatch up against two key rivals.
There were two natural contenders: the Mercedes A-Class and the Volkswagen Golf. The former is an obvious competitor, with advanced in-car tech, downsized turbo petrol engines and an automatic gearbox in a premiumlooking and feeling package. The Golf has been a strong performer since launch, and despite a replacement having been unveiled since, it was still a worthy rival.
These challengers were even more closely matched to the new 1 Series because it sends its power through the front wheels. Despite this, as we found out, the BMW retained its place as the best-handling car in the class, but it was also the most comfortable model in the test.
These key features, plus a hi-tech and upmarket cabin, low running costs and decent practicality, all combined to hand the BMW the win, with the comfortable, good-to-drive Golf second and the tech-filled Mercedes third.
PEUGEOT has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years. Its latest design language began on the stylish 3008 SUV and evolved with the larger 5008 before being immortalised in the sleek 508 Fastback; all of that expertise went into not one, but three 208 superminis – the prodigious small car is now available with a choice of petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.
The new 208’s driving experience left a little to be desired, but that striking design is expertly executed inside and out, and the high-quality interior impressed us. A Ford Fiesta is more fun to drive, but the Peugeot’s 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine is a gem. Meanwhile, the pure-electric e-208, with its 211-mile range, is among the more convincing cars of its type, too.
Driving the pair side by side highlighted Peugeot’s genius. Instead of distancing the two – as Renault does with the Clio and Zoe – Peugeot lets buyers pick the flavour that suits them best. We can’t wait to try the 208 on UK roads in the coming weeks.