Poverty Spec (US Vs. UK)

The grass is always greener on the other side, or is it? We take a look at bare-bones cars you can purchase in the UK and spec them up to how we would normally spec a vehicle to see exactly what you get for your money in the UK vs. the U.S. Let’s dive in! 2026 BMW 120 Sport ($44,360) 1.5 turbocharged three-cylinder with 48-volt mild hybrid, 170hp and 206lb-ft torque. 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive layout. Options: Blue cloth seats ($237.84). Harmon Kardon Sound System ($747.49). Technology Package ($2,106.57). Panoramic Sunroof ($1,427.03). Cross-bars ($406.36) Total: $49,327.63 We were very conservative on the options here. A 1-series with a three-cylinder turbo producing 170hp would run us almost $50k with front-wheel drive.

2026 BMW 228 Gran Coupe ($42,000) 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 241hp. 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive layout. Frozen Pure Grey Metallic ($2,350). Premium Package ($1,350). Comfort suspension ($0). Total: $45,050 Our pick: 120i Sport. You can’t go wrong with the trusty hatchback. It’s much more stylish and practical for everyday use compared to the 228 Gran Coupe.

Audi A1 (Sport 25 TFSI 95 PS 5-speed) ($33,031.48) 1-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, 95hp. 5-speed manual gearbox. Front-wheel-drive. Options: Cross bars ($473.14). Technology Package (1,760.68). Fun fact: 120i doesn’t offer power-folding mirrors or DAB radio standard, despite being more expensive. Total: ($36,047.07)

2026 Audi A3 (Premium 40 TFSI quattro S tronic) ($40,100) 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 201hp. 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel-drive. Options: Convenience Package ($1,500). Total: ($42,995) Our pick: The A1 only comes with 95hp! But it makes the most of that with a 5-speed manual gearbox. There’s no sunroof option with the A1, which is a bummer! However, the A3 offers much more for the money.

2026 Mercedes A 180 Sport Edition ($43,330.45) 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Mild-hybrid, 136hp. Front-wheel-drive. 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. No options added. Total: ($43,330.45) Fun fact: The bare-bones basic Mercedes doesn’t look like it on the inside. However, just like the A1, there is no option for a sunroof or glass roof. 2026 Mercedes CLA 220 Hybrid Sedan ($43,900) 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, mild-hybrid. Total output: 208 hp. Front-wheel drive. No options added. Total: ($45,330.45) Our pick: It’s a bit strange that the A180 doesn’t offer an optional sunroof and the CLA has it standard. We prefer the looks of the A-class and the powertrain of the CLA. With that being said, we’d still choose the A-class simply for the looks and hatchback body style.

2026 Volkswagen Polo Life 1.0MPI ($28,626.38) 1-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder, 79hp. Front-wheel-drive. 5-speed manual gearbox. Options: 16-inch alloy wheels ($706.99). Panoramic Sunroof ($1,332.41). Keyless access ($557.44). Cross bars ($410.60) Total: ($31,633.81) Fun fact: The Polo base trim can be optioned with a panoramic sunroof while the A1 base trim doesn’t offer one at all.

Volkswagen Jetta S ($23,995) 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 158hp. Front-wheel-drive. 8-speed automatic transmission. Options: Cross bars ($414). Total: ($24,410) Our pick: The Jetta S can’t be optioned with any luxury features like the Polo. In fact, the Polo doesn’t even have a turbo engine. If you overlook the power difference. The Polo is the better deal with a nicer interior and simpler engine technology.

Toyota Aygo X Icon ($29,428) 1.5-liter naturally aspirated hybrid petrol. Front-wheel-drive. CVT transmission. Options: Convenience package ($500) Total: ($30,264.70)

2026 Toyota Corolla LE ($23,325) 2-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, 169hp. CVT transmission. Front-wheel-drive. Options: LE Premium Package ($1,135) Total: ($24,620) Our pick: Despite the Aygo X having less horsepower. The Aygo X can be optioned with luxury features that the Corolla doesn’t offer. Both are base trim levels, and that’s insane!

A taste of the Forbidden Fruit

Volkswagen Bluemotion
What is it? An ultra fuel efficient line of vehicles. With emissions ratings lower than a hybrid. With improved aerodynamics to lower drag coefficiency and other fuel efficient technologies used in sports cars to improve fuel economy.
Why is it illegal? U.S. has strict emissions standards on diesel engines. This makes it harder for European Automakers to design diesel engines for the U.S.



Fiat Panda 4X4
What is it? Based upon a small car called the Panda that's sold everywhere but the U.S.
Why it should be sold here? It's a cheap alternate to a Jeep. With better gas mileage. The small size with short overhangs means its great off-road. This car can climb a 35-degree incline. With a few extra horsepower, it can tackle a Land Rover off-road.



Audi A1
What is it? Audi's Mini Cooper fighter.
Why should it be sold here? It's a Mini Cooper with a splash of style inside out. The interior is upscale Audi and the price is very low. It's perfect for congested urban areas.







BMW 1-series
What is it? A hatchback version of the 1 Series coupe.
Why should it be sold here? Other than the affordable base price, the 1-series hatch is rear wheel drive. Making it drive just as good as the other BMWs but with more praticality. A perfect rival to the Volkwagen GTI and Subaru Impreza.




Mercedes A-class
What is it? A hatchback that's as small as a Honda Fit. But has more versatility than a small MPV.
Why should it be sold here? The A-class should've been sold here under the Smart brand. Sold as the Forfour, Smart would've done way better with this hatchback than the Fortwo.







Alfa Romeo MiTo
What is it? Alfa Romeo's smallest hatchback.

Why should it be sold here? Alfa Romeo has some of the most stylish Italian cars sold. This Mini Cooper fighter will prove to be popular with buyers that are considering the Mini Cooper. Its tasteful and dashed with performance.



Citroen C1
What is it? A car shared with the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107.
Why should it be sold here? It's designed to be cheap. All this cost cutting features are unnoticed by the consumer. Its still fun to drive and offers more equipment than a Kia Rio. Plus its stylish a easy to park in the city. High mileage cars should be welcomed in the U.S.

Devon test drives an entry-level BMW (Used)

Call it whatever you like. The bottom of the range. The starting point into a luxury brand, or the baby of the BMW line-up. The 1-series is here to give those who can't afford a 3-series coupe reason to to think twice. But does the cheaper cost mean a less meaningful badge? Let's find out. 

Performance: The 1-series misses out on the silky 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's offered in the 3, 5, X1 and X3 range. That's not a bad thing however because you get the smooth 3-liter six-cylinders in both non-turbo and turbo forms. The base non-turbo form of the 1-series produces 230hp. While the mid-range and top of the range offer turbocharged forms of the six-cylinder producing 300hp and 320hp. The base trim is all you'll ever really need. It's quick and easy to drive around town and on the highway. The turbo forms command a higher price tag, but also add more to the fun department.

Ride & handling: The ride comfort is smooth most of the time. Patchy or  uneven road surfaces will upset the ride. Steering and body control are excellent. You can push through in bends with confidence.  If you option for the M-Sport package, you'll get a firmer suspension and larger alloys. This isn't always a good thing as the ride comfort gets overly firm to the point of unforgiving.  The engines are smooth and quiet, even whem pushed hard. Some road noise can be heard at highway speed as well as wind noise around the door mirrors.

Practicality: There is plenty of head and legroom up front. Getting in and out of the back is a bit of a chore. Rear seat space isn't the greatest, but most who will buy this car won't really care too much about that. The dashboard has a BMW minimalistic approach in design. Some of the controls and dials feel a bit below BMW standards. At this price point that can be a deal breaker for some. Given the small size of the 1-series the boot offers decent amount of space.

Equipment: All trims are well equipped. The M-Sport models have body-kit, firmer suspension and larger alloys. Automatic headlights, windshield wipers and sports seats are standard across the range. You'll have to pay extra for comfort access and Xenon headlights.

Buying & Owning: Running costs should be reasonable if you stick with the base trim. The higher the trim you climb the more powerful the engine gets. Which has both positives and negatives. The 1-series will have rock solid resale value just like all other BMW models. Buying one won't be cheap though and discounts are hard to come by.

Reliability & Safety: Some bits and materials used in the cabin feel a bit cheap. This may be a deal breaker for those who are used to a higher standard from BMW. Then again this is a BMW that sits at the 'bottom' of the range. Reliability should be good seeing that BMW has been improving over the years. Six-airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control all come standard. Deadlocks and a theft deterrent come standard, while an anti-theft alarm is only optional.

The BMW 1-series is the entry level BMW, but offers the dynamics and fun to drive nature of a BMW. The engines are smooth and the handling is BMW sharp. However, some materials used in the cabin feel a bit below BMW standards. Plus the price gap between this and the 3-series isn't huge. There are better and cheaper rivals, but none offer the charm the 1-series offers and that's much better than it's rivals.

Devon's Pick: The 128i makes the most sense financially. It  may seem like the watered down 1-series compared to the turbocharged 135i and 135is. If you are trying to get the 1-series at the most bargain price this is your best bet. Stay clear of the options list and you can get the 128i at a decent price.

Likes: Just as fun to drive as a 3-series coupe minus the price tag. BMW minimalistic approach to dashboard design.

Dislikes: Price can sky rocket quickly with options. Some cabin materials feel a bit below BMW standards.

Devon M