BMW 1 Series vs Kia Rio
What's the difference?

BMW 1 Series

$44,997 - $89,900

2025 price

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Kia Rio

$15,990 - $24,977

2022 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2025 BMW 1 Series

2022 Kia Rio

By Chris Thompson

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Inline 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

—

6.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

—

Likes

Driving dynamics and performance
Front-row layout
Pricing remains competitive

Ace multimedia
Affordability
Big interior

Dislikes

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

Uninspiring drivetrain
Lacks active safety features
Hard, noisy ride

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 Kia Rio Summary

Australia is experiencing a mass extinction event.

Like the dinosaurs before them, and hopefully not the bees in the near future, the sub-$20,000 car is nearing the bitter end.

An evolutionary dead-end, as higher emissions and safety regulations relegate older models (read Mitsubishi Mirage) to the great scrap-heap in the sky and prevent newer ones (read Honda Jazz) from leaving their local markets.

For you, this means there are quite literally a handful of brand-new vehicles left in Australia which wear before-on-road price-tags under the magic $20,000 number.

One of them is the car we’re looking at for this review: The Kia Rio S, with the catch being you’ll have to be happy changing gears yourself.

So, is this most basic Rio worth your while, or is it best left as a puzzling fossil for future generations to study? Let’s have a look.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 BMW 1 Series 2022 Kia Rio

Verdict

A brief dalliance with the 1 Series has left me impressed, if wanting to spend more time with it to get a better assessment of the day-to-day liveability of BMW’s entry-level model.

It’s a compelling offering if you’re after a premium small car, and even without the performance of the M135, the 118 is feature-packed.

Keeping pricing competitive should help the 1 Series buck the trend of buyers opting for small SUVs, but ultimately it’s just refreshing to see BMW putting effort into keeping a hatchback relevant (and up-to-date).

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Verdict

The Rio S Manual is a fun-to-drive little car with a big practicality and multimedia offering in a segment rapidly heading towards extinction.

While some elements of the drive experience are reminiscent of budget cars from 10-20 years ago, Kia makes up for it by wrapping the Rio in a contemporary looking and feeling package, ready for the buyer who needs no frills and demands no nonsense. Until the manual transmission goes the way of the dodo, there is almost no better option.

BMW 1 Series vs Kia Rio What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW 1 Series vs Kia Rio
What's the difference?