Audi A1 hatchback review

The second generation Audi A1 almost has the luxury supermini class to itself. Its only direct rival is the MINI hatchback, with the style-led Fiat 500 existing as a less luxurious and smaller but less expensive alternative too. Some buyers may also compare the A1 with other high-spec superminis like the Vignale model of the Ford Fiesta.

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The original A1 arrived in 2010 and since then, standards among 'ordinary' small hatchbacks have risen sharply. The latest Volkswagen Polo is classy inside and out, while the Hyundai i20 and Ford Fiesta rule the roost for driver appeal. Meanwhile, the A1 stood virtually still in design terms, leaving it looking a little dated next to the newcomers. The latest model is unashamedly modern and still looks good after a few years on sale. With five doors, the A1 Sportback is also more practical than the original three-door car.

Audi’s aim was to make the A1 the car to beat in the premium supermini class. It's created a supermini that excels in terms of comfort and its interior, with cutting-edge style to boot. In fact, with three slots above a frameless six-sided grille, designed to evoke memories of the Audi Quattro, the humble A1 is arguably among the sportiest looking cars Audi makes today.

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The rounded form of the original A1 has given way to a far more sculptural look, with deliberate nods towards iconic models from Audi's past – particularly the rally cars that forged the brand's reputation in motorsport. These include the sharp feature lines pressed into the bonnet and distinctive shoulders above the front and rear wheel arches; contours that provide a visual link to models such as the Audi A5 Coupe and Audi Q8 SUV, showing that premium touches aren't just confined to the more expensive end of the Audi range.

A big change over the first-generation A1 is the demise of the three-door version, and today's car is offered in five-door Sportback form only. That won't be bad news for many, and it's hard to imagine that an A1 with fewer doors would be any prettier. It makes the car a more practical family choice, with easy access to an interior that's more usable and spacious than in the original model.

The cutting-edge interior style of more expensive Audi models has rubbed off on the A1, with the same bold horizontal lines as seen in the hi-tech Audi A8 luxury saloon. It may not have the multi-screen layout of more expensive models, but the standard digital dashboard and option of a glossy 10.1-inch MMI infotainment screen put the A1 at the forefront of the supermini class in technology terms. You'll find automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning fitted as standard too.

Three petrol engines are on offer but there’s no diesel option. The 109bhp 1.0-litre 30 TFSI is claimed to return around 53mpg, which is very competitive with the A1’s rivals. Either side of that is a 94bhp version of the 1.0-litre, badged 25 TFSI, plus a 1.5-litre 35 TFSI with 148bhp. A 2.0-litre 40 TFSI offering 204bhp is offered as in S line Competition trim, and rivals the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Ford Fiesta ST. A four-wheel-drive Audi S1 also looks highly unlikely due to emissions regulations.

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With an adequate, if not sparkling, 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds, the 30 TFSI should suit most A1 customers, especially with the smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic automatic gearbox.

We expect the best value to be found towards the bottom end of the A1 range – while the eye-catching S line has even more visual presence, the Sport is a great-looking car in its own right, and is far smoother on the road than the more firmly set up S line. Alternatively, the Technik is even more subtle to look at, and only really misses out on parking sensors and sports seats. You'll not find any A1 wanting for standard equipment, with alloy wheels, full LED exterior lighting, a digital dashboard, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto fitted across the range.

Safety is excellent, as proven by a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. Audi will want the latest A1 to perform rather better in our annual Driver Power survey than its predecessor – that car finished an undistinguished 53rd out of 75 cars. In our 2020 survey, Audi itself only managed a 21st place finish out of 30 brands. Its cars retain a desirable and upmarket image, which is one reason the A1 seems destined for sales success – even if the closely related Volkswagen Polo offers a similarly competent package at a far lower price.