Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on) - Review

A small Audi is big news in the car world. Signalling the brand’s first ever head-to-head battle with MINI – a car made by Audi’s arch enemy, BMW - the new A1 takes a very different, grown-up approach. Instead of focusing on fun, the A1 smacks of classy sophistication. Quite frankly, nothing in its small premium class looks and feels so expensive behind the wheel, even though, underneath the smart-suited A1 is the humble Polo’s underpinnings. The A1 also pinches VW’s frugal turbocharged petrol engines too, kicking off with the 85bhp 1.2-litre and then the larger 120bhp 1.4-litre. Later on it will be joined by a 180bhp turbo- and supercharged version to challenge the Mini Cooper S. There's also a 1.6 TDI diesel available. Thanks to being well-built, efficient, a stylish hatchback, and cheap to run the Audi A1 1.6 TDi SE scooped the parkers cost of motoring award for the small hatchback category in 2011. Read on to find out why we think the A1 is one of the most desirable small cars money can buy.