Review: Audi A1
What is it?
Audi’s range of cars is a rich and diverse one, with a similar level of premium finish and solid build quality being applied across its line-up of vehicles. Its smallest car - the A1 - is a fine example of this, bringing the kind of high-end touches that people expect from Audi but on a smaller, more manageable scale than some of the brand’s other far-larger cars.
But in a competitive segment, what can the A1 do to stand out and does its slightly higher price tag result in a more top-end finish? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
The little A1 has been around in its current form since 2018, but when it first arrived it broke new ground in terms of the kind of features and fittings we’d expect from a small hatchback. Equipped with some of Audi’s latest technology, you got the impression that the German manufacturer hadn’t scrimped on the A1’s designs despite it being the brand’s smallest and most affordable model.
While no diesel versions of the new A1 are available, this car’s range of efficient petrol engines aims to provide both flexible performance with great efficiency. Plus, despite the car’s compact size, the A1 has been designed to maximise both passenger and luggage space, enabling it to slot into a variety of lifestyles with few drawbacks.
What’s under the bonnet?
You’ve got three engine options on the A1, badged 25 TFSI, 30 TFSI and 35 TFSI. Confusingly, those numbers don’t reflect the size of the engine but, the larger the figure, the more powerful the car. The 25 uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine with 94bhp, the 30 has the same engine but with 109bhp and the range-topping 35 adopts a larger 1.5-litre unit for a total output of 148bhp, making it the most powerful of the bunch.
For most drivers, it’s the more powerful 1.0-litre which will make the most sense as it’ll still manage 0-60mph in just over 10 seconds but deliver up to 51.4mpg alongside CO2 emissions of 125-128g/km depending on wheel size. It’s also available with the option of either a manual or automatic gearbox, with the latter making the A1 experience a lot more comfortable.
What’s it like to drive?
The A1 feels like a far larger due to the level of comfort and refinement it delivers. The 1.0-litre engine, despite being small in capacity, is excellent at delivering its performance without feeling too strained or raucous while the automatic gearbox in our test car was smooth-shifting.
While a lot of small cars falter on the motorway, this isn’t the case for the A1. It’s impressively composed at higher speeds which means that this isn’t a compact which will only deliver its best around town. However, light steering and a compact size overall make the A1 a great choice for urban drivers as well, while great visibility makes it simple and easy to park.
How does it look?
Audi has managed to channel some of the look and charm of its larger models into the A1, bringing some of those big-car features onto a smaller platform. It works well and, when combined with one of the A1’s great colour choices, makes for a car which stands out despite being quite small.
It’s quite nice to see features that are incorporated into far more expensive Audi models brought onto the A1, too; if you take a look at the ‘nose’ of the car, you’ll see air inlets which mirror those on one of Audi’s most famous models, the R8 supercar.
What’s it like inside?
Mirroring the upmarket finish of the exterior, the inside of the A1 is an equally pleasant place to be. Of course, on this more budget-friendly model there are some harder plastics than you’ll find in other Audi models but it’s hardly much to write home about - the vast majority of touch points are finished in soft-touch plastics while a smattering of silver accents help to brighten up the cabin further.
The boxy dimensions of the A1 help it to deliver more headroom than you might expect, too, while the 335-litre boot is superb in its capacity and is 65 litres larger than the load area you’ll find on the previous-generation A1.
What’s the spec like?
All versions of the A1 come accompanied by plenty of standard equipment. Entry-level Sport models, for example, receive 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and LED rear lights alongside Audi’s excellent 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Step up to S line and you’ll see a sportier design used across the car - including 17-inch alloy wheels - while sport suspension gives the car a firmer setup and drops the height a touch.
Finally, Black Edition sits at the top of the range and adds - as you might expect - a range of black accents, as well as 18-inch alloys in gloss black, a contrast black roof and blacked-out Audi badges at the front and rear for a more undercover design.
Verdict
The Audi A1 is a small car which packs a lot. It’s more spacious than you might initially think, while a decent boot means that it could be a far better choice for families or space-conscious drivers might be apparent to begin with.
Efficient engines only sweeten the deal and, when you consider the generous level of standard equipment available, it only helps to make the A1 an even more appealing package.
