BMW 1 Series vs Mini 5D Hatch
What's the difference?

BMW 1 Series

$44,997 - $89,900

2025 price

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Mini 5D Hatch

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2020 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2025 BMW 1 Series

2020 Mini 5D Hatch

By Chris Thompson

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

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Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

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Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

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6.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

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Likes

Driving dynamics and performance
Front-row layout
Pricing remains competitive

Potent engine
Tons of grip
Funky cabin ambience

Dislikes

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

Ride can be harsh
Jittery drive experience
Cabin tech overly user friendly

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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2020 Mini 5D Hatch Summary

That the 2020 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works is the most powerful Mini to have landed in Australia isn’t all that surprising. After all, parent company BMW has squeezed the thumping four-cylinder engine from the M135i under its bonnet, and that thing creates a snarling beast of any vehicle it finds a home in.

What is a surprise, though, is that having now driven this angry, crackling, snarling hot hatch, what with its burbling exhaust and properly rapid acceleration, is that it took Mini this long to get around to doing it.

So does the engine upgrade now put the Clubman JCW on the same pedestal as the best European hot hatches? There's only one way to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 BMW 1 Series 2020 Mini 5D Hatch

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 Mini Clubman JCW is quirky in a lot of the right ways, and now has a hard-charging engine to up the adrenalin factor. If you were already sold on the idea of joining the Clubman club, this one will steal your heart more than any other.

BMW 1 Series vs Mini 5D Hatch What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW 1 Series vs Mini 5D Hatch
What's the difference?