Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on) - Review Review by John Mahoney on 18 June 2010 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 Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Owners' Reviews Gallery 3 out of 5 Comfort We worry about the new A1’s ride. So far we’ve only driven it on smoothly surfaced roads where it feels stiffly sprung. Things get worse if you opt for bigger wheels, with the ride getting decidedly busy on the 17-inchers. If a comfortable ride is high on your list of priorities make sure you try before you buy. What we can say is the A1 is a far more comfortable place to spend time compared to the MINI, however. There’s less road and wind noise and two adults can squeeze into the rear seats. View full gallery 2.5 out of 5 Practicality The Audi scores yet more points over its obvious MINI alternative by offering a boot that's almost 70% bigger but it's a four-seat model only. This might limit its appeal for some who might need to occasionally carry three kids. Get a Audi A1 Hatchback valuation View full gallery How does the boot space compare? Citroën DS3 (10 on) 285 litres Alfa Romeo Mito (09 on) 270 litres Audi A1 Hatchback (10 on) 270 litres MINI Hatchback (06 on) 160 litres 4.5 out of 5 Behind the wheel Here is where the Audi obliterates the rest of the premium small hatch class. Nothing feels better made, or built. The attention to detail is also far superior to anything else at this money. Although, that said, a MINI’s interior is still ultimately more fun than the Audi’s wall-to-wall expensive-feeling soft touch plastic. View full gallery Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. Find out more Audi A1 cars for sale We have 109 models like this for sale. Find Audi A1 cars for sale Previous: Driving & Performance Next: Costs