Comparison: Ground clearance BMW 1{series} vs. competitors 2025

Ground clearance in automobiles is much like a seesaw—entertaining yet requiring a delicate balance. Over the generations, the BMW 1er-Reihe has tiptoed through changes in its stature, with marked variations between models and facelifts. Alas, the exact numbers have been as elusive as a satisfying finale to a great TV show. However, from the time we started keeping meticulous records (somewhere around the 1er-Reihe F20/F21's first facelift in 2015), we noticed a steadfast 140 mm of clearance under the undercarriage. This was maintained through to its second facelift, indicating at least some level of consistency in the midst of BMW's ambitious revamps and redesigns. But as for the present avatar, the F40, it seems BMW has decided to play its cards close to the chest, leaving us without concrete figures, wrapped in a shroud of mystery.

When likened to its siblings in the BMW lineup, the 1er-Reihe stands tall (or should we say, modestly average) among a varied selection of Bavarian royalty. The sports cars and sleek sedans, such as the M4 CSL Coupé , Z4 Roadster, and the 3er M3 Limousine, scout the ground with clearances ranging thoughtfully from 113 mm to 140 mm. Here, our beloved 1er finds itself in the middle of the echelon, neither scraping the clouds nor hugging the tarmac too dearly. It's akin to standing in the middle of a group photo—noticeable but not quite the centerpiece. In BMW's grand scheme, it occupies a practical niche; not too lofty to challenge SUVs and not too scant to fret over every pebble on the road.

Now, let's cast our gaze beyond Bavaria and into the global arena where the BMW 1er-Reihe jostles for space with other contenders. Compared to the likes of the ORA Funky Cat with a 135 mm clearance and the Suzuki SX4, towering at 175 mm, the 1er-Reihe (with its 140 mm claim from the era we have data on) seems to orchestrate a decent middle ground. It doesn't aspire to conquer the Himalayas like the Subaru Justy and its 170 mm clearance might, nor does it slink as low as the VW Fox at 111 mm. Even when pitted against the moat-jumping horsepower of the Citroen GS/GSA, which gallivants at a lofty 240 mm, the 1er-Reihe maintains its dignity without veering into monster truck territory or limbo dancing low-rider levels. It's the vehicular equivalent of a well-rounded individual; capable and dependable without the need for braggadocio.