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

3.5 out of 5

Buying new

Want a big discount? Expect to be bitterly disappointed. The A1 is primed to be hot property when it hits the new car market. Instead of sizeable discounts prepare yourself for waiting list: Audi is limiting the number of A1s sold in the UK to 18,000 units a year.

Buy a new Audi A1 Hatchback and save 6% on selected models

3 out of 5

Buying used

Bargain hunters beware. We think the A1 will follow in the tyre tracks of the MINI and command serious money on the used car market for the foreseeable future.

  • Boot/Load Space Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on)
  • Interior Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on)

View full gallery

See 109 used Audi A1 Hatchbacks for sale, starting at £9,988

4 out of 5

Selling

Take care with what colour spec your Audi A1 (we’d avoid the brown) and you could have one of the easiest cars to sell on the market. Sell at nothing less than top money.