Tenerife Driving Review: BMW 1-Series 120d M Sport Pro

When people ask us what car to bring to Tenerife, the answer usually depends on how much of the island they actually want to see. If your plan is to stay by the hotel pool, almost anything with four wheels will do. However, if you want to explore the sheer variety of terrain this island offers, you need something with a bit more capability. We recently spent a few days driving the BMW 1-Series 120d M Sport Pro across the island to see exactly how it copes with the unique demands of Canarian roads.

A premium diesel hatchback might seem like a traditional choice in a world of electric SUVs, but Tenerife is a place where strong low-end torque and a compact footprint make a lot of sense. We took this car from the warm coastal motorways up to the thin air of Spain’s highest peak, and down into some of the most intimidating ravines in the archipelago. Here is what we found during our time behind the wheel.

How it drives on Tenerife roads

The journey started on the TF-1 motorway along the south coast. This road features long fast sweepers and plenty of crosswinds coming off the Atlantic ocean. At motorway speeds, the 120d is remarkably planted. The M Sport suspension is firm, keeping the car stable and predictable even when overtaking large lorries. The 2.0-litre diesel engine hums away quietly in top gear, making coastal cruising an absolute breeze.

Turning inland, we took the TF-21 climbing to Mount Teide. This spectacular road takes you up to 2,100 metres above sea level. The air gets noticeably thinner and there is a big temperature drop as you ascend through the fragrant pine forests. In many naturally aspirated rental cars, you can feel the engine gasping for breath at this altitude. The turbocharged 120d, however, simply relies on its robust torque to pull you up the steep inclines without a moment of hesitation. The eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts down smartly when you need to overtake slow-moving coaches, though we often preferred using the steering wheel paddles for more control on the long downhill sections to save the brakes from overheating.

The real test of any vehicle in Tenerife is the TF-436 into Masca. This road is famous for its extremely narrow cliff hairpins, steep gradients and blind corners. Here, small cars have the ultimate advantage. While the 1-Series has grown slightly over the years, it is still fundamentally a compact hatchback. We found it incredibly easy to thread through the tightest sections where larger vehicles were forced to reverse. The quick steering rack of the M Sport Pro trim means you do not have to cross your arms too much on the hairpins. The punchy diesel engine allows you to dart out of corners quickly when a gap appears in the oncoming traffic.

Later in our trip, we headed north to the Anaga forest roads. These ancient routes are often damp, incredibly twisty and frequently misty. The all-weather grip of this front-wheel-drive platform is genuinely impressive. Even on wet tarmac covered in fallen eucalyptus leaves, the front end bites securely into the corners. The firm suspension that felt great on the TF-1 does transfer some of the rougher road imperfections into the cabin here, but it never feels crashy or unsettled, allowing you to maintain a smooth rhythm through the forest.

Where this car shines (and where it does not)

This car truly shines when you ask it to be a brilliant all-rounder. The low-end grunt from the diesel engine makes mountain climbing entirely effortless, while the compact dimensions remove all the usual stress from tight village driving. The M Sport Pro package adds excellent uprated brakes which provide massive confidence when descending from the heights of Teide. Inside, the cabin is quiet, beautifully built and features an intuitive infotainment system that makes navigating unfamiliar mountain passes much easier.

However, we must be honest about its drawbacks. The M Sport suspension is noticeably firm by design. If you are looking for a soft, magic carpet ride to isolate you completely from the bumps, this might not be the car for you. On some of the older, poorly maintained secondary roads in the north, you will definitely feel the surface imperfections. Furthermore, while the diesel engine is incredibly efficient and strong, it does sound a bit gruff when you start it up from cold in a quiet underground car park. Once on the move, it quietens down nicely, but it lacks the smooth acoustic refinement of a petrol engine at very low speeds.

Practical notes

When it comes to everyday usability in Tenerife, the 1-Series makes a lot of sense. If you are staying in the busy resort streets in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje or Playa de las Americas, you will inevitably face tight parking spaces and strict blue-line meters. The compact size of the 120d means you can squeeze into parallel spots that larger SUVs simply have to drive past. The parking sensors and crisp reversing camera are incredibly helpful when manoeuvring between the tight concrete pillars of older hotel garages.

Fuel economy is another major strong point. Despite pushing the car hard up mountain passes and sitting in coastal traffic, we saw excellent efficiency figures throughout our trip. Diesel remains reasonably priced on the island, meaning your holiday fuel budget will stretch very far indeed. If you are planning to cover a lot of ground and want a capable Automatic 2.0 L 5-seater, this exact specification makes a lot of financial and practical sense.

Luggage space is adequate rather than class-leading. The boot will comfortably swallow two large suitcases and a couple of soft bags for a week away. If you are a family of four arriving with massive hard-shell cases for a two-week holiday, you might need to play some luggage Tetris or put a bag on the back seat. For couples or small families packing sensibly, it is perfectly judged for an island getaway.

Verdict

The BMW 1-Series 120d M Sport Pro is an outstanding companion for a comprehensive Tenerife road trip. It offers a very rare combination of long-distance motorway comfort, relentless mountain-climbing torque and village-friendly dimensions. The firm ride might not suit those looking for pure wafting luxury, but for drivers who appreciate a planted, secure and highly responsive car on challenging roads, it is very hard to fault. It completely removes the stress of the daunting Masca hairpins while making the long sweeping bends of the TF-1 a genuine pleasure to drive. If you want to see everything Tenerife has to offer without compromising on driving dynamics, this is a superb choice.

Where to book the BMW 1-Series 120d M Sport Pro in Tenerife

If this one sounds like your kind of drive, you can check dates and prices for the BMW 1-Series 120d M Sport Pro hire in Tenerife directly. Prefer to compare first? Browse all Bmw rentals in Tenerife, economy car hire in Tenerife, car hire in Tenerife.