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BMW 1 Series vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (300 HP vs 325 HP), boot space and price (28,800 £ vs 28,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 1 Series or VW Golf?

BMW 1 Series vs VW Golf: Key differences

BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • marginally quicker 0–100 km/h
details

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • barely cheaper
  • very slightly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • a bit lighter
  • only slightly more trunk space
details

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.

VW Golf is barely cheaper – starting at 28,300 £ , while the BMW 1 Series costs 28,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 519 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the BMW 1 Series with 4.3 L/100km. The difference is about 3.2 L/100km.

Golf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the VW Golf offers very slightly more power – delivering 325 HP compared to 300 HP. That’s roughly 25 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 1 Series is marginally quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the VW Golf takes 5.3 s. That’s about 0.4 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the VW Golf is moderately faster – reaching 270 km/h, while the BMW 1 Series tops out at 226 km/h. The difference is around 44 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Golf delivers barely more torque with 420 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 20 Nm more.

1 Series

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is a bit lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,465 kg. The difference is around 158 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers only slightly more boot space – 381 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 1 L.

For maximum load capacity, the VW Golf offers marginally more capacity – up to 1,230 L, about 95 L more than the BMW 1 Series.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 1 Series carries only slightly more – 510 kg compared to 508 kg. That’s a difference of about 2 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf is clearly superior overall 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 £28,300
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 325 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
details

Frequently compared as well

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BMW 1 Series
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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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Reviews BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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BMW 1 Series
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
28,800 - 51,900 £
Price
28,300 - 46,700 £
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
112 - 173 g/km
co2
25 - 173 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
49 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 50 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,465 - 1,625 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
300 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
4,361 mm
Length
4,282 - 4,292 mm
Width
1,800 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
1,459 mm
Height
1,463 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,135 L
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,230 L
Payload
475 - 510 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
122 - 300 HP
Power HP
116 - 325 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.3 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
210 - 226 km/h
Max Speed
220 - 270 km/h
Torque
230 - 400 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
90 - 221 kW
Power kW
85 - 239 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 - 1,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2024
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F, B
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW
What drive types are available for the BMW 1 Series?

The BMW 1 Series is offered with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

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.