BMW 128TI vs Suzuki E-Vitara

What's the difference?

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.

Suzuki really needs you to buy this car.

Not only are cut-price Chinese rivals dicing up the entry-level part of the market where this Japanese brand used to thrive, but Suzuki is also facing pressure to adapt to Australia’s tough new emissions laws.

That’s where this e Vitara comes in.

Built in India on a new platform shared with Toyota, the e Vitara is unlike any Suzuki that's come before it in Australia. Does it have what it takes to crack the super competitive end of the new-car market?

Read on to find out.