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VW Golf Variant vs BMW 1 Series comparison

Compare performance (204 HP vs 300 HP), boot space and price (28,800 £ vs 29,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – VW Golf Variant or BMW 1 Series?

VW Golf Variant vs BMW 1 Series: Key differences

VW Golf Variant

  • barely cheaper
  • very slightly lighter
  • noticeably more trunk space
details

BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Golf Variant

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 Variant is barely cheaper – starting at 28,800 £ , while the BMW 1 Series costs 29,400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 510 £.

Both cars consume an average of 4.3 L/100km – no difference here.

1 Series

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 BMW 1 Series offers clearly more power – delivering 300 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 96 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 1 Series is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the VW Golf Variant takes 6.5 s. That’s about 1.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 1 Series delivers marginally more torque with 400 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 40 Nm more.

Golf Variant

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, VW Golf Variant is very slightly lighter – 1,366 kg compared to 1,465 kg. The difference is around 99 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf Variant offers noticeably more boot space – 611 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 231 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf Variant carries barely more – 547 kg compared to 510 kg. That’s a difference of about 37 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 1 Series holds a solid overall lead 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 £29,400
1 Series

BMW 1 Series

  • Engine Type Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 122 - 300 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
details

Frequently compared as well

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VW Golf Variant
BMW 1 Series

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

VW Golf Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

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Reviews VW Golf Variant

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

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.

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VW Golf Variant
BMW 1 Series

Costs and Consumption
Price
28,800 - 38,800 £
Price
29,400 - 51,900 £
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
114 - 159 g/km
co2
112 - 173 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Estate
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,551 kg
Curb weight
1,465 - 1,625 kg
Trunk capacity
611 L
Trunk capacity
300 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,789 mm
Width
1,800 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
509 - 547 kg
Payload
475 - 510 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 204 HP
Power HP
122 - 300 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10.5 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.8 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Torque
230 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Power kW
90 - 221 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,499 - 1,998 cm3

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

Available configurations include 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.