BMW 1 Series vs Peugeot 308
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 30 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$59,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$48,990RRP
- with the BMW 1 Series's standard kit: $48,990 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 1 Series starts from $59,500 before on-road costs, while the Peugeot 308 opens at $48,990. That makes the Peugeot 308 the more affordable entry point by $10,510.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $65,450 and $53,889 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Peugeot 308 by roughly $3,135 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BMW 1 Series and Peugeot 308 hold a 4-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 78% for the BMW 1 Series and 79% for the Peugeot 308.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW 1 Series and 6 in the Peugeot 308.
Recalls on our record
BMW 1 Series
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006036 · published 26 Jul 2024Some vehicles may have been converted after production with steering wheel variants containing a faulty Takata inflator.Year range on the notice: 2004 - 2014
- REC-000140 · published 21 Jun 2018Due to a possible electrical connection failure to the cars main battery power cable where it connects into the vehicles fuse box, the car may lose power to several electrical systems within the vehicle.Year range on the notice: 2007 - 2011
- 4 more on the model page.
Peugeot 308
- REC-006738 · published 29 Sep 2026Due to a software issue, the interior door handles may deactivate unexpectedly while the engine is running.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006716 · published 8 Sep 2026Due to a software issue, the instrument panel cluster may fail to illuminate the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning if the front camera is blocked.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-006403 · published 5 Aug 2025The upper anchorage points for the seatbelts in the second-row left and right-hand seating positions may not meet load specifications.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2018
- 20 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW 1 Series features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Peugeot 308 gets a 10-inch display and 10-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Peugeot 308 counters with panoramic roof, power tailgate and Focal audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 1 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Peugeot 308 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW 1 Series uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Peugeot 308 responds with a Hybrid making 107kW and 230Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The BMW 1 Series has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 107kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 1 Series is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 1 Series measures 4,361mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 4mm shorter than the Peugeot 308 at 4,365mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Peugeot 308 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 380L in the BMW 1 Series and 384L in the Peugeot 308, giving the Peugeot 308 a 4L advantage.
For towing, the BMW 1 Series leads with a 1,300kg braked capacity vs 1,150kg. That 150kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.5m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,824/year for the BMW 1 Series and $1,197/year for the Peugeot 308. That is a $627 annual difference in favour of the Peugeot 308.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 1 Series) vs 5 years / 200,000km (Peugeot 308). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 1 Series if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Peugeot 308 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Peugeot's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Peugeot 308: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 72
The Peugeot 308 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 72), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Peugeot 308 ahead by 20), value (Peugeot 308 ahead by 9), reliability (BMW 1 Series ahead by 3). The Peugeot 308 will save you roughly $627 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 1 Series and Peugeot 308?
The Peugeot 308 is the cheapest at $48,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 1 Series by $10,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Peugeot 308 uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BMW 1 Series and Peugeot 308 all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Peugeot 308 has the largest boot at 384L with the seats up (1,295L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 1 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 1 Series makes the most power at 115kW. The BMW 1 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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