BMW 1 Series review

Always bear in mind the M135 xDrive is one of the M Performance subset of BMWs, not a full M car. It's been lightly polished by that department, rather than fully transformed. So it won't set your hair on fire. It's a quick-witted machine that makes easy brisk progress, not a racer manqué.

The 2.0-litre's performance doesn't come too easily. You have to stretch the engine to its 296bhp red-line, rather than relying on a big over-boosted mid range. Not that 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds is hanging about, but some other hatches feel faster.

The even swelling of power from low revs does make it easy to mete out exactly the amount you want through a series of bends. The noise isn't exactly inspiring, mind. You can switch on an artificial sound augmentation, but it’s as cartoonish as its 'BMW Iconic Sounds' label implies.

New to this version is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in place of the of eight-speed conventional auto. It can get laggy and confused at times when you're on and off the throttle. Use the shift paddles and the problem goes away.

The steering is measured rather than nervous, but get some load into it and there's good feel. In the dry, cornering is bullish and confident. If the surface is slippery, you can nudge the tail out with a little lift, and then work all the tyres out of the bend. There's a limited-slip differential at the front, but the centre diff is variable rather than configurable so you don't have any menu-mode choice over the torque split.

Or over the damping. The body control is pretty tight, but mechanical frequency-selective dampers mean the ride isn't too harsh over sudden bumps or corrugations. Not that you’ll be welcoming potholes as they rush into view. UK roads will push the suspension to its extremes.

Yes but what about the 120, the one nearly everyone will buy?

The one we tested was fitted with the M Sport pack, giving it the same frequency-selective dampers as the M135. So its general mien is similar, although there's a slight loss of precision and steering feel because the body doesn't have so much bracing.

Even in the wet, it doesn't want for the 4WD. The front tyres nearly always draw enough traction from the engine’s 168bhp. The little three-cylinder warbles cheerfully, and gets you to 62mph in 7.8 seconds. It has a 48V mild-hybrid motor that nestles in the transmission, delivering a handy pulse of urge before the turbo cuts in. It makes the whole assembly lag-free and progressive right through the revs.

Does it have decent driver assist?

Lots is optional, not standard. Where fitted it works well, and is easy to operate, and set up to your liking. The expected stuff like level 2 motorway assist is an option.

Interesting standard kit includes Reverse Assistant. Driven a tight twisty path to a parking space? No problem to get out. It memorises the path you steered. Take your hands off the wheel and it'll reverse the exact same track.