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BMW 1 Series vs Mercedes C-Class Saloon comparison

Compare performance (300 HP vs 680 HP), boot space and price (29,400 £ vs 41,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 1 Series or Mercedes C-Class Saloon?

BMW 1 Series vs Mercedes C-Class Saloon: Key differences

BMW 1 Series

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  • clearly cheaper
  • marginally more efficient
  • slightly lighter
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Mercedes C-Class Saloon

  • clearly more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • moderately more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

1 Series

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

BMW 1 Series is clearly cheaper – starting at 29,400 £ , while the Mercedes C-Class Saloon costs 41,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 11,968 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 1 Series uses 4.3 L/100km and is marginally more efficient than the Mercedes C-Class Saloon with 4.5 L/100km. The difference is about 0.2 L/100km.

C-Class Saloon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon offers clearly more power – delivering 680 HP compared to 300 HP. That’s roughly 380 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.4 s, while the BMW 1 Series takes 4.9 s. That’s about 1.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes C-Class Saloon delivers significantly more torque with 1,020 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 620 Nm more.

1 Series

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 1 Series is slightly lighter – 1,465 kg compared to 1,695 kg. The difference is around 230 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon offers moderately more boot space – 455 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 75 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon carries slightly more – 570 kg compared to 510 kg. That’s a difference of about 60 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes C-Class Saloon stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £41,300
C-Class Saloon

Mercedes C-Class Saloon

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 183 - 680 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.5 - 9 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 11 km
BMW 1 Series
Mercedes C-Class Saloon

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

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BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series is a compact premium hatchback that injects a proper sense of driving fun into everyday life, with sharp handling and a cabin that punches above its class. It’s a great pick for buyers who want sporty manners without losing practicality, and yes, you’ll still get that unmistakable BMW grin behind the wheel.

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Mercedes C-Class Saloon

The Mercedes C‑Class is the compact executive that dresses like it owns the boulevard, with an interior that blends modern elegance and plush comfort to make everyday driving feel unexpectedly special. On the road it pairs poise with a hint of cheeky agility, rewarding drivers who want refinement without forfeiting a touch of fun — and yes, it still looks great in the driveway.

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BMW 1 Series
Mercedes C-Class Saloon

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,400 - 51,900 £
Price
41,300 - 103,400 £
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
11 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
112 - 173 g/km
co2
119 - 205 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,465 - 1,625 kg
Curb weight
1,695 - 2,165 kg
Trunk capacity
300 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
455 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,800 mm
Width
1,820 - 1,900 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
475 - 510 kg
Payload
485 - 570 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
122 - 300 HP
Power HP
183 - 680 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.4 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 400 Nm
Torque
250 - 1,020 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
90 - 221 kW
Power kW
135 - 500 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 - 1,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,496 - 1,999 cm3

General

Model Year
2024
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, D, G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.