2012 BMW 1-Series

Filling out the bottom of BMW's performance-oriented lineup, the 2012 BMW 1 Series may be one of the biggest stars in the automaker's portfolio, serving as the purest driver's car in BMW's range outside of the far more expensive M3. Smaller and nimbler than the 3 Series, the BMW 1 Series otherwise uses the same high-performance engines and transmissions as its big brother.

While carrying capacity for four passengers, the snub-nosed 1 Series' biggest difference between it and the 3 Series can be found in the car's nearly useless back seat. Sure, real people can sit back there, but it's probably best reserved for your least-favorite friends. Otherwise, passenger room is pleasant with a tall, upright roof evocative of BMW's first sporting coupe, the 2002, that lends to excellent head space.

In the spirit of keeping things simple, BMW has outfitted the 2012 BMW 1 Series with two engines -- naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants of its 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder -- and has kept the cars devoid of excess frills like the electronic seatbelt extenders found in the 3 Series. Rather than serve as a luxury car that just happens to handle well like the 3 Series, we prefer to think of the BMW 1 Series as a sports coupe with a nice interior.