Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on) - Review

Review by John Mahoney on
Last Updated: 26 May 2011
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.
4 out of 5

Other Audi reviews

4 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£13,420 - £21,815

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Used price range:

£9,916 - £18,023

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Stylish, classy, feels beautifully made, refined, efficient

Unforgiving ride, others are better to drive

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.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    3.5 out of 5

    "The A1 range kicks off with a very underwhelming-sounding 1.2-litre petrol. Thankfully, the tiny..."

  • Handling

    3 out of 5

    "The A1 doesn't handle as well as the MINI, which feels more balanced and agile in the corners, but..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    3 out of 5

    "We worry about the new A1’s ride. So far we’ve only driven it on smoothly surfaced roads where it..."

  • Practicality

    2.5 out of 5

    "The Audi scores yet more points over its obvious MINI alternative by offering a boot that's almost..."

  • Equipment

    3.5 out of 5

    "Three equipment levels are offered with the A1: SE, Sport and S Line. The base SE model comes with..."

  • Behind the wheel

    4.5 out of 5

    "Here is where the Audi obliterates the rest of the premium small hatch class. Nothing feels better..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    4 out of 5

    "Cheapest to run in the A1 range is the 104bhp 1.6-litre diesel. Thanks to its efficient common rail..."

  • Green credentials

    4 out of 5

    "Watch this space. Currently the 1.6 TDI is Audi’s lowest-polluting offering with 105g/km of carbon..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    5 out of 5

    "The A1 borrows its platform from the Volkswagen Polo, so it's no surprise that it achieved the full..."

  • Reliability

    3.5 out of 5

    "In investigations into satisfaction, so far it seems Audi still has some work to do to equal the..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    3.5 out of 5

    "Want a big discount? Expect to be bitterly disappointed. The A1 is primed to be hot property when it..."

  • Buying used

    3 out of 5

    "Bargain hunters beware. We think the A1 will follow in the tyre tracks of the MINI and command..."

  • Selling

    4 out of 5

    "Take care with what colour spec your Audi A1 (we’d avoid the brown) and you could have one of the..."

Gallery

  • Interior Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on)
  • Exterior Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on)
  • Exterior Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on)
  • Exterior Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on)

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Owners' reviews

Living with it

Audi A1 Hatchback

After an exciting and rather fast-paced six months, the Audi A1 is set to leave the Parkers long...