BMW 1 Series vs Peugeot 308
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 1 Series starts from $57,600 before on-road costs, while the Peugeot 308 opens at $48,990. That makes the Peugeot 308 the more affordable entry point by $8,610.
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 $63,360 and $53,889 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Peugeot 308 by roughly $3,135 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The BMW 1 Series holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Peugeot 308.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
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.
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 that the BMW 1 Series does not offer. 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 real-world sprint, 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.
Estimated annual total: $1,824 (BMW 1 Series) vs $1,197 (Peugeot 308). The Peugeot 308 saves you roughly $627 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
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
The BMW 1 Series takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. 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 $8,610.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Peugeot 308 uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The BMW 1 Series has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Peugeot 308 has the largest boot at 384L.
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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