BMW 1 Series vs Volkswagen Golf
BMW 1 Series
BMW’s compact premium hatchback.
VS
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen’s 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…
Volkswagen Golf
Pick the Golf for a balanced mix of refinement, practicality and driving enjoyment.
Best engine: The 1.5 eTSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).
Read the full guide
Performance
B38 118i · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 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
|
8,5 s
|
| Top speed |
213 km/h
|
224 km/h
Winner
|
| Power-to-weight |
106,1 hp/t
|
114,9 hp/t
Winner
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
124 g/km
Winner
|
126 g/km
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
5,5 L/100km
|
5,5 L/100km
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW 1 Series | Volkswagen Golf | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
380 L
|
381 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.200 L
|
1.237 L
Winner
|
| Wheelbase |
2,67 m
Winner
|
2,64 m
|
| Length |
4,32 m
|
4,28 m
|
| Width |
1,80 m
|
1,79 m
|
| Height |
1,43 m
|
1,49 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW 1 Series | Volkswagen Golf | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | UKL2/FAAR (transverse, front-wheel drive) | MQB Evo (transverse, shared with A3/Octavia/León) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B38/B48 petrol · B37/B47 diesel | EA211/EA211 Evo petrol · EA288 Evo diesel · eHybrid/GTE PHEV |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic · 7-speed DCT · 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d (later) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW 1 Series
- EGR clogging on diesels
- Early timing-chain tensioners (B38/B48)
- DCT software (early cars)
- Suspension wear
Volkswagen Golf
- DQ200 DSG needs fluid service (automatic)
- Plastic water pump/thermostat on EA211
- AdBlue/DPF on diesels (short trips)
Pros
BMW 1 Series
- Roomy interior & big boot
- Premium finish & modern tech (OS 7)
- Modular B-series engines
Volkswagen Golf
- Class-leading refinement and build quality
- Wide, efficient engine range
- Strong residuals and parts availability
Cons
BMW 1 Series
- Lost the previous generation’s rear-wheel drive
- Pricier than comparable hatchbacks
Volkswagen Golf
- MIB3 software on early Mk8 (pre-facelift)
- Boot smaller than class leaders
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
BMW 1 Series
124 for sale · from € 5.990
Volkswagen Golf
198 for sale · from € 2.990
Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI · Comfortline · LED · Leather · Sport seats
€ 13.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI · Panoramic roof · CarPlay · LED
€ 15.999
GDCauto
GDCauto
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI · Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 18.390
Falcomotive
Falcomotive
Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI · Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 19.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
