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Thanks to our brand partner, BMW

"How's the new car?" asks my husband when I return home after a spin in my new wheels.

"She's delightful," I say, carefully considering the pronouns used for such a vehicle.

This car — the BMW 1 Series — is definitely female. She's sleek, she's modern, she's dependable and she's so. Damn. Beautiful. Unmistakably female.

Fitting, then, that during my week-long test drive — which happened to line up with a long-overdue beach escape — I discovered just how naturally this car fits into the rhythm of real life.

We packed beach towels, a million snacks, enough changes of clothes for a month and hit the coast. There's something about that first salty gust of air when you open the car door after a long drive that feels like the real start of a holiday, and the 1 Series delivered us there in serious style.

Image: Supplied.

I don't judge a book by its cover but in this case, let me do just that.

This car is compact, sporty and looks a million bucks. A double kidney grille at the front, bright LED lights and glossy alloy wheels are fancy pants but not pretentious.

The design features on the sides and the modern tail lights give the rear its dynamic appearance.

No doubt about it: she's got presence.

The interior is ultra-comfortable (hellooo seat warmers and massage functions) and the dash is curved for an all-round view that cleverly has every driving requirement right at your fingertips.

The Storm Bay metallic colour of my car was exactly the exterior I would have chosen if I had the option to pick. It was original, moody yet sporty and chic. So cool.

Even before setting off, I was impressed by the 1 Series' connectivity — linked to my mobile, the BMW Digital Key Plus acted as my key. As soon as I was near the car, the lighting effects switched on and the doors unlocked automatically. No more digging through my handbag for keys. It's the kind of detail you miss once you've experienced it.

It's a spacious, broad but low-profile car that easily and safely ferried my family (including my 75-year-old dad, husband, siblings and kids) up and down the coast during the beachside long weekend.

There were dusty-track detours, long lazy lunches at seaside pubs and spontaneous stops whenever the ocean views were too good to drive past.

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The latest BMW Operating System 9 allowed me (a new car novice) to control music, navigation and vehicle settings. I didn't realise how enjoyable driving could be! Real-time traffic info and parking services made both the journey and our pit stops a breeze.

On your request, the 1 Series will independently park and leave parking spaces. I mean, have you ever? Parking stress often gets the better of me, so I made the most of this.

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Driving Assistant and Driving Assistant Plus kept the car centred in the lane and at a safe distance from others. In stop-and-go traffic, it could brake to a standstill and automatically set off again — meaning I could actually relax even during the city escape rush.

Driving info — speedo, hazards, alerts — was projected in 3D directly onto the windscreen, keeping everything safely in my line of sight. It's a small thing that makes a huge difference.

The My BMW app takes cleverness one step further, giving you early alerts about services or tyre wear and letting you book appointments straight from your smartphone. In a world where you can feel swamped by to-do lists and chores, it's this kind of cleverness that I need in my life.

BMW's comprehensive five-year, unlimited-kilometre manufacturer's warranty is another huge tick from me. Plus, BMW Service Inclusive covers basic servicing needs and BMW Roadside Assistance & Accident Management is there for drivers 24/7, every day of the year. It's hard to overstate how good that peace of mind feels when you're adventuring beyond your usual routine.

As I cruised along the Great Ocean Road, the sea breeze wafting in from the sunroof and the ocean in my rear-view mirror, I really felt like this was the car for ME.

The old mum's taxi had served a purpose — and while this one also had plenty of boot space for groceries or sports gear when needed — in the end, it was just a really lovely car to drive.

I looked forward to taking it out each day and found joy in driving again. Shopping, off to work, weekends with the girls or road trips away — it is the perfect compact, classy companion. I choose joy.

Book a test drive for the BMW 1 Series online or visit your local BMW dealership.

BMW Finance, Australian Credit Licence 392387. Fees, charges, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Visit bmw.com.au for more information on BMW Full Circle.

Feature Image: Supplied.

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