Perhaps it shouldn't be much of a surprise to find the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 closely matched. After all, the one was built to compete with the other, and while both are excellent cars in their own right, their low placings on this list has more to do with talented, and far cheaper, opposition from mainstream brands.
That said, you should definitely buy a 1 Series while you can, simply because this is likely to be the last rear-wheel drive version.
The upcoming 1 Series replacement will be based on the Mini’s front-drive platform, and while it will likely still be good to drive, there’s a purity here that will be lacking.
Titchy 1.5 three-cylinder diesel 116d is oddly appealing, but the M140i, with its turbo straight-six, is just close to magical.
Best model: 120i M-Sport
Prices start from: €29,910
Finance package from: €397
Co2 emissions: 89-179g/km
Sum-up: Styling has always been polarising, but it's still ace to drive