Dongfeng 007 vs BMW 1 Series

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Dongfeng 007 in South Africa

Dongfeng 007

007 E2 540 Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 899,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 400 kW 🔧 620 Nm ⛽ 0 km/l
VS
BMW 1 Series in South Africa

BMW 1 Series

M135 xDrive Petrol 7-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 975,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 233 kW 🔧 400 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Dongfeng 007 vs BMW 1 Series: the short answer

007 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 1 Series remains close.

007 starts ZAR 5,100 cheaper 007 from ZAR 699,900 · 1 Series from ZAR 705,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 007 1 Series
Maximum Power 007400 kW 1 Series233 kW
Maximum Torque 007620 Nm 1 Series400 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm
Engine Size 007Not Applicable 1 Series1998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 0070 km/l 1 Series12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance 0070 mm 1 Series140 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Dongfeng 007

007 E2 540

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

BMW 1 Series

M135 xDrive

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

007

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

1 Series

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

007

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

1 Series

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 007 1 Series
Model Introduced Year 2026 2024
Generation Current South African generation Fourth-generation F70 BMW 1 Series, configured for South Africa as a five-door hatchback.
Facelift History Current launch specification F70 is the current fourth-generation South African launch version; no local facelift has been announced.
Facelift Launched Since 2026 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Hatchback
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Executive electric sedan Premium Hatchback
Vehicle Type Sedan Car
Spec 007 1 Series
Length 4880 mm 4361 mm
Width 1895 mm 1800 mm
Height 1460 mm 1459 mm
Wheelbase 2915 mm 2670 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 140 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 49 l
Boot/Cargo Space 452 l 380 l
Kerb Weight 2100 kg 1550 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2550 kg 2100 kg
Payload Capacity 450 kg 550 kg
Towing Capacity 750 kg 750 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm 985 mm
Rear Headroom 950 mm 958 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1041 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 896 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This 007 and 1 Series comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: 007 100 vs 1 Series 91.

Efficiency index: 007 90 vs 1 Series 50.

Safety-equipment index: 007 88 vs 1 Series 92.

Practicality index: 007 53 vs 1 Series 53.

Ownership-cover index: 007 not separately scored vs 1 Series not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

007 leads by 10 points

007 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 1 Series remains close.

Evidence leader 83 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 64% source coverage
83
#1 Evidence leader

007

64% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Practicality 53
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 88
Practicality 53
Leads by 10 points
73
#2

1 Series

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 50
Performance 91
Efficiency 50
Safety 92
Practicality 53
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance 007 +9 Efficiency 007 +40 Safety 1 Series +4 Practicality Level

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

007

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 53/100

1 Series

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 53/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Dongfeng 007 leads the specification evidence index with 83 pts vs 73 pts for 1 Series

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 007 leads. However, 1 Series may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

007
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VS
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007 vs Ora 03 →
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007 vs 2 Series Gran Coupé →
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007 vs A-Class →
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007 vs Corolla →
1 Series
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1 Series vs Ora 03 →
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VS
Civic RS
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1 Series vs Civic RS →

007 vs 1 Series questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.