CAN a European hatchback survive in a world being encroached by explorer-status SUVs?

Despite a lot of resistance from rivals and even from within, it seems the hatch retains a strong audience.

Small hatchbacks in BMWs product range outsell its small SUVs two-to-one (1 Series versus X1) so there’s still a lot of kudos in the more conservative end of the market.

BMW’s 1 Series range starts at $36,900, that equates to the most expensive – and comprehensively equipped – of the Mazda3 range.

But there’s still something about a badge.

Note: Some images in road test depict 120i and some depict 125i

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