BMW 1 Series vs GWM P300

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.

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
VS
GWM P300 in South Africa

GWM P300

2.4T LT 2WD 9AT Diesel Current
ZAR 599,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 135 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 13.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BMW 1 Series vs GWM P300: the short answer

1 Series and P300 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

P300 starts ZAR 290,050 cheaper 1 Series from ZAR 705,000 · P300 from ZAR 414,950

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 1 Series P300
Maximum Power 1 Series233 kW P300135 kW
Maximum Torque 1 Series400 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm P300480 Nm
Engine Size 1 Series1998 cc P3002400 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 1 Series12.5 km/l P30013.5 km/l
Ground Clearance 1 Series140 mm P300224 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

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

Read the review and score breakdown

GWM P300

2.4T LT 2WD 9AT

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

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
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

P300

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

1 Series

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

P300

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 1 Series P300
Model Introduced Year 2024 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Fourth-generation F70 BMW 1 Series, configured for South Africa as a five-door hatchback. Current South African P300 listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History F70 is the current fourth-generation South African launch version; no local facelift has been announced. Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Double-cab pickup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active published
Segment Premium Hatchback Pickup
Vehicle Type Car Pickup
Body Type Cab - Pickup
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.4T LT 2WD 9AT
Tare Mass Kg - 2070 kg
Spec 1 Series P300
Length 4361 mm 5416 mm
Width 1800 mm 1934 mm
Height 1459 mm 1886 mm
Wheelbase 2670 mm 3230 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 224 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 125 mm 150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 49 l 78 l
Boot/Cargo Space 380 l 450 l
Kerb Weight 1550 kg 2070 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2100 kg 3120 kg
Payload Capacity 550 kg 1050 kg
Towing Capacity 750 kg 3000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 6.0 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

In depth: how these cars differ

This 1 Series and P300 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 P300 71.

Efficiency index: 1 Series 50 vs P300 57.

Safety-equipment index: 1 Series 92 vs P300 not separately scored.

Practicality index: 1 Series 53 vs P300 80.

Ownership-cover index: 1 Series not separately scored vs P300 65.

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

1 Series leads by 4 points

1 Series and P300 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 73 /100
Lead 4 points
Data 83% source coverage
73
#1 Evidence leader

1 Series

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 50
Performance 91
Efficiency 50
Safety 92
Practicality 53
Leads by 4 points
69
#2

P300

69% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 80 Check Efficiency 57
Performance 71
Efficiency 57
Practicality 80
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance 1 Series +20 Efficiency P300 +7 Practicality P300 +27

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

1 Series

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

P300

Performance 71/100
Efficiency 57/100
Practicality 80/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW 1 Series leads the specification evidence index with 73 pts vs 69 pts for P300

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 1 Series leads. However, P300 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

1 Series vs P300 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.