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VW Golf vs BMW 1 Series comparison

Compare performance (333 HP vs 300 HP), boot space and price (25,200 £ vs 28,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – VW Golf or BMW 1 Series?

VW Golf vs BMW 1 Series: Key differences

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • slightly cheaper
  • very slightly more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • marginally quicker 0–100 km/h
  • somewhat lighter
  • barely more trunk space

BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

Golf

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

VW Golf is slightly cheaper – starting at 25,200 £ , while the BMW 1 Series costs 28,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3,605 £.

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

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 VW Golf offers very slightly more power – delivering 333 HP compared to 300 HP. That’s roughly 33 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is marginally quicker – completing the sprint in 4.6 s, while the BMW 1 Series takes 4.9 s. That’s about 0.3 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the VW Golf is only slightly faster – reaching 270 km/h, while the BMW 1 Series tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 20 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.

Golf

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

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

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers barely 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 only slightly more capacity – up to 1,237 L, about 37 L more than the BMW 1 Series.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 1 Series carries marginally 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 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 £25,200
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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)
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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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Costs and Consumption
Price
25,200 - 47,600 £
Price
28,800 - 51,100 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 184 g/km
co2
112 - 173 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L
Fuel tank capacity
49 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Curb weight
1,465 - 1,625 kg
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Trunk capacity
300 - 380 L
Length
4,282 - 4,296 mm
Length
4,361 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Width
1,800 mm
Height
1,454 - 1,483 mm
Height
1,459 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,237 L
Max trunk capacity
1,135 - 1,200 L
Payload
438 - 508 kg
Payload
475 - 510 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Power HP
122 - 300 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.8 s
Max Speed
203 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
210 - 250 km/h
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Torque
230 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Power kW
90 - 221 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,499 - 1,998 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F
Brand
VW
Brand
BMW
Is the VW Golf offered with different drivetrains?

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.