Browse over 9,000 car reviews

BMW 1 Series vs BMW 3 Series

What's the difference?

VS
BMW 1 Series
BMW 1 Series

$54,800 - $83,600

2025 price

BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series

$49,990 - $98,990

2023 price

Summary

2025 BMW 1 Series
2023 BMW 3 Series
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
-

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
-

6.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
-

5
Dislikes
  • New face might divide opinion
  • Second-row amenities lacking
  • A tad thirsty

  • Harder ride might bother some people
  • Cosy back seat for child seats
  • Lacklustre lane keeping tech
2025 BMW 1 Series Summary

Can you believe the 1 Series is already in its fourth generation? It might not look incredibly like it, because this new car looks a little like the third.

But it’s been more than half a decade since the F40 1 Series debuted, so BMW decided it was already time for a new kid on the block. Meet the F70.

It’s just landed in Australia and it promises new-gen tech and features compared with its predecessor. We checked out BMW’s new baby at its Australian launch to find out if it delivers.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a BMW 1 Series?
2023 BMW 3 Series Summary

Back in the day, the 3 Series sedan was often the entry to the brand for first time BMW owners, and for good reason. They offered practical interior space without compromising on engine performance.

And they simply looked good, no boring nanny design elements. Then the 1 Series came along and price points bumped up, so how does the ‘entry’ BMW 320i M Sport live up to its long-standing reputation?

With an updated dashboard that brings the interior and tech up to market and a sharper exterior design, it more than holds its own at the table of luxury sedans, despite hard competition from the likes of the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C200 and Jaguar XE.

However, if the Merc is a placid and well-behaved mare… the BMW is the barely-broken-in bronco and it takes a certain kind of ‘rider’ to enjoy what the 320i has to offer.

I’ve been discovering just that this week with my family of three. What did we find out? Read below!

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a BMW 3 Series?

Deep dive comparison

2025 BMW 1 Series 2023 BMW 3 Series

Change vehicle