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.
1 Series and ORA 5 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
ORA 5 starts ZAR 340,100 cheaper1 Series from ZAR 705,000 · ORA 5 from ZAR 364,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
1 Series
ORA 5
Maximum Power
1 Series233 kW
ORA 5150 kW
Maximum Torque
1 Series400 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm
ORA 5260 Nm
Engine Size
1 Series1998 cc
ORA 5Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
1 Series12.5 km/l
ORA 5Not Applicable
Ground Clearance
1 Series140 mm
ORA 5175 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.
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.
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
1 Series
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
ORA 5
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
1 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
ORA 5
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Model Introduced Year
2024
2026
Generation
Fourth-generation F70 BMW 1 Series, configured for South Africa as a five-door hatchback.
First-generation ORA 5; South African launch specification
Facelift History
F70 is the current fourth-generation South African launch version; no local facelift has been announced.
No facelift; first South African model year
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Hatchback
Compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
On sale
Segment
Premium Hatchback
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Car
Passenger vehicle
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Length
4361 mm
4471 mm
Width
1800 mm
1833 mm
Height
1459 mm
1641 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
2720 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
115 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
380 l
228 l
Kerb Weight
1550 kg
1555 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2100 kg
1970 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
415 kg
Towing Capacity
750 kg
2000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
985 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
958 mm
960 mm
Front Legroom
1041 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
896 mm
900 mm
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
Battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
B48
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
16
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Direct injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Applicable
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
233 kW
150 kW
Maximum Torque
400 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm
260 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
AWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
7-Speed Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
250 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
4.9 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Well Being, Standard, Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
58.33 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
520 km (NEDC)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Gearbox
7-Speed Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
FWD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Open differential with electronic traction control
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
3.73
Number of Gears
7
1
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Electronic automatic gear selector
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Electronic column shifter
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Open differential with electronic traction control
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
Front driven axle
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Open differential with electronic traction control
Transmission Speeds
7
1
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
49 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Zero tailpipe emissions
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
Charging Type
Not Applicable
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
Fuel Tank Litres
49
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
520 km NEDC
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
16.5
Range Real World Highway
360 km
420 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
420 km
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
No
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Manual
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
No
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front-row reminder
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
No
AEB
Yes
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
No
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Alert and braking
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front row
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Integrated Brake Control
-
Yes
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Cruise Control
Yes
Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Alert and braking
Parking Sensors
Yes
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
360-degree panoramic view
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Yes
Auto Wipers
Yes
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
360-degree panoramic view
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Auto Hold
-
Yes
Steering Modes
-
Light, Comfort, Sport
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Yes
Front
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Front seat and backrest
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Multi-colour rhythmic
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Microfibre leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
4-way electric
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Grey synthetic leather
Driver Seat Memory
-
Yes
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Climate Control
Standard
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Four-door one-touch
Keyless Entry
Yes
Driver door
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
50 W
Sunroof
Panoramic
Panoramic glass roof
Electric Tailgate
No
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Automatic front wiper
AC Type
Standard
Automatic
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Electric Folding Mirrors
-
Yes
Heated Mirrors
-
Yes
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Rear Air Vents
-
Yes
Rear Shelf Board
-
Yes
Heat-pump Air Conditioning
-
Yes
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Infotainment System
Yes
14.6-inch touchscreen with voice control
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
10.25-inch
USB Ports
2
3 (front Type-A and Type-C; rear Type-C)
Infotainment Screen
14.9
14.6-inch
Touchscreen
14.9
14.6-inch
Voice Control
-
Yes
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
LED Headlamps
Yes
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
Rear LED
Roof Rails
Yes
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Emerald Green, Matte Grey, Ayers Grey, Hamilton White, Sterling Silver, Night Black, Brilliant Rose with a black roof, and Lake Blue with a black roof
Headlights
Yes
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Yes
Rear Wiper
-
Yes
Rear Fog Lights
-
LED
LED Tail Lamps
-
Yes
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Normal | Eco | Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Open differential with electronic traction control
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Temporary T135/90 D17
Wheel Rim Size
18"M light alloy wheels Y spoke style 975 M Bicolour with runflat tyres
18-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
MacPherson independent
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Multi-link independent
Electric Power Steering
-
Yes
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
CO2 Emissions
177 g/km
0 g/km tailpipe
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Not Applicable
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
7 years / 75,000 km; 12 months / 15,000 km intervals
Service Interval
-
12 months / 15,000 km
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Ownership Role
Private and enthusiast
A home-charging buyer who wants the ORA 5 electric powertrain and every locally listed comfort, convenience and driver-assistance feature.
Price Zar
975000 ZAR
599900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
the electric flagship and highest-priced ORA 5
Starting Price
975000
R599,900
Starting Price Zar
975000
599900
Spec
1 Series
ORA 5
Warranty
Yes
7 years / 200,000 km
Roadside Assistance
-
7 years / unlimited km
High-voltage Battery Warranty
-
8 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This 1 Series and ORA 5 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: 1 Series 91 vs ORA 5 56.
Efficiency index: 1 Series 50 vs ORA 5 90.
Safety-equipment index: 1 Series 92 vs ORA 5 88.
Practicality index: 1 Series 53 vs ORA 5 54.
Ownership-cover index: 1 Series not separately scored vs ORA 5 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.
Model imagery
1 Series and ORA 5 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
1 Series leads by 2 points
1 Series and ORA 5 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
1 Series +35
Efficiency
ORA 5 +40
Safety
1 Series +4
Practicality
ORA 5 +1
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
1 Series
Performance
91/100
Efficiency
50/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
53/100
ORA 5
Performance
56/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 1 Series
leads the specification evidence index with 73 pts
vs 71 pts for ORA 5
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 1 Series leads. However, ORA 5 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.
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.
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