BMW 1 Series F40 vs Volkswagen Golf MK7

BMW 1 Series

F40 · 2019 – 2024

The third-generation 1 Series (F40), BMW’s first front-wheel-drive model.

Volkswagen Golf

MK7 · 2012 – 2020

The seventh-generation Golf (MK7), on the MQB platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW 1 Series

Pick the 1 Series for sharp BMW handling in a roomy, modern premium hatch.

Best engine: The 118i (petrol) or 118d (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Golf

Pick the Golf for a balanced mix of refinement, practicality and driving enjoyment.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

B38 118i · Petrol vs 1.5 TSI 150 · Petrol

	BMW 1 Series	Volkswagen Golf
Power	140 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	220 Nm	250 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,5 s	8,2 s Winner
Top speed	213 km/h	216 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	106,1 hp/t	116,3 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	124 g/km	116 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,5 L/100km	5,1 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	BMW 1 Series	Volkswagen Golf
Boot	380 L	380 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.200 L	1.270 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,67 m Winner	2,64 m
Length	4,32 m	4,26 m
Ground clearance	15,2 cm	13,9 cm
Turning circle	11,4 m	10,9 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	1.300 kg	1.600 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	BMW 1 Series	Volkswagen Golf
Platform	UKL2/FAAR (transverse)	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	B38 1.5 · B48 2.0 · B47 2.0 diesel · 48V mild-hybrid	EA211 1.0/1.2/1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 2.0 TSI · EA288 1.6/2.0 TDI
Transmission	7-speed DCT	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6d-TEMP
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW 1 Series

48V mild-hybrid system
Engine mounts can wear early
Cooling system needs checking

Volkswagen Golf

DQ200 DSG service (automatic)
Water pump/thermostat module on EA211
AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)

Pros

BMW 1 Series

More cabin space than its predecessor
Premium interior
Efficient engines

Volkswagen Golf

Light MQB platform with sharp handling
Thrifty, smooth TSI/TDI engines
Solid build quality

Cons

BMW 1 Series

Front-wheel drive (less playful than before)
Firm ride on M Sport

Volkswagen Golf

EA111 chain (early 1.4 TSI, pre-2014)
Plastic water pump needs checking

Driving experience

BMW 1 Series

Agile, sharp and impressively poised for a front-driver. Steering is quick, accurate and well-weighted, body control taut, and the 1 Series turns in keenly with little of the understeer you might expect. sDrive keeps it light and lively; xDrive on the M135i adds tenacious all-weather grip. The B38 triple is willing if a little coarse, the B48 four is smooth and eager, and the B47 diesels pull strongly and stay refined. The 7-speed dual-clutch is quick and slick. Overall a genuinely engaging hatch that feels more BMW than its platform suggests.

Volkswagen Golf

Balanced, comfortable and easy to place. The Golf rides with a maturity unusual for a hatchback, stays quiet at speed, and steers accurately with well-judged weighting. Front-drive versions are safe and predictable; 4MOTION on the R adds serious cross-country pace and traction. The 1.5 TSI is the sensible everyday pick — smooth and economical — the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance choice, and the GTI and R versions add real performance. The DSG is quick; the manual is crisp. Body control is composed, and while the Golf is not overtly sporty, it does everything well without fuss.