BMW 1 Series vs BMW 128TI

What's the difference?

VS
BMW 1 Series
BMW 1 Series

$54,800 - $84,100

2025 price

BMW 128TI
BMW 128TI

2022 price

Summary

2025 BMW 1 Series
2022 BMW 128TI
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
-

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
-

6.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
-

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

  • That grille
  • Weaker engine tune
  • Short warranty
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.

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2022 BMW 128TI Summary

It wasn’t that long ago the notion of a front-wheel drive (FWD) BMW was unheard of, but along came the third-generation 1 Series five-door hatchback in September 2019.

The 'F40' 1 Series' predecessors were based on rear-wheel drive (RWD) platforms, as was every other model in BMW's long history – to that point.

Ironically, though, the F40 1 Series' performance flagship remains the all-wheel drive (AWD) M135i xDrive, but now it has a FWD counterpart, the Volkswagen Golf GTI-baiting 128ti.

Critically, this represents the first time since the late 1990s range of 3 Series Compact three-door hatchbacks that the ti, Turismo Internazionale, badge has been affixed to a BMW.

So, does the 128ti hot hatch live up to the ti lineage of sporty BMW small cars? And perhaps more importantly, does it prove a FWD BMW can be truly desirable? Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 BMW 1 Series 2022 BMW 128TI

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