BMW 1 Series vs Renault Megane
BMW 1 Series
BMW’s compact premium hatchback.
VS
Renault Megane
Renault’s comfortable compact hatchback.
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…
Renault Megane
Pick the Mégane for a comfortable, roomy compact hatchback with an efficient and wide engine range.
Best engine: The 1.3 TCe (petrol) or 1.5 Blue dCi (diesel) — post-2020.
Read the full guide
Performance
B38 118i · Petrol vs E-Tech EV60 220 · Electric
| BMW 1 Series | Renault Megane | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
140 hp
|
220 hp
Winner
|
| Torque |
220 Nm
|
300 Nm
Winner
|
| 0–100 km/h |
8,5 s
|
7,4 s
Winner
|
| Top speed |
213 km/h
Winner
|
160 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
106,1 hp/t
|
134,5 hp/t
Winner
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
124 g/km
|
0 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
5,5 L/100km
|
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|
Dimensions & space
| BMW 1 Series | Renault Megane | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
380 L
|
440 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.200 L
|
1.332 L
Winner
|
| Wheelbase |
2,67 m
|
2,69 m
Winner
|
| Length |
4,32 m
|
4,20 m
|
| Width |
1,80 m
|
1,77 m
|
| Height |
1,43 m
|
1,51 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW 1 Series | Renault Megane | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | UKL2/FAAR (transverse, front-wheel drive) | CMF-CD (MK4) · CMF-EV / AmpR Medium (MK5) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B38/B48 petrol · B37/B47 diesel | 1.2 TCe · 1.3 TCe · 1.6 TCe (GT) · 1.5 Blue dCi · 1.6 dCi · E-Tech PHEV · E-Tech EV (130/220) |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid · Electric |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic · 7-speed DCT · 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual · EDC6/EDC7 automatic · Multi-mode (PHEV) · Single-speed (EV) |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d (post-2018) · N/A (E-Tech EV) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6/6d petrol/diesel, the E-Tech PHEV and E-Tech EV allowed in the LEZ |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW 1 Series
- EGR clogging on diesels
- Early timing-chain tensioners (B38/B48)
- DCT software (early cars)
- Suspension wear
Renault Megane
- 1.2 TCe: oil consumption and timing chain
- EDC automatic: juddery at low speed
- Infotainment: freezes and glitches
Pros
BMW 1 Series
- Roomy interior & big boot
- Premium finish & modern tech (OS 7)
- Modular B-series engines
Renault Megane
- Comfortable, composed ride
- Plentiful and affordable used
- Efficient 1.5 Blue dCi and E-Tech PHEV
Cons
BMW 1 Series
- Lost the previous generation’s rear-wheel drive
- Pricier than comparable hatchbacks
Renault Megane
- 1.2 TCe (early years) carries chain risk
- Infotainment can feel slow
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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