Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Audi A1 review: premium small hatch still impresses

The Audi A1 is a luxurious and sporty-looking small hatch that gives the MINI a run for its money

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Price
£22,770 to £32,755
  • Sporty upmarket style
  • Premium cabin design
  • Very user-friendly
  • Limited engine choices
  • MINI is more fun
  • Expensive to buy
Find your Audi A1
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

The Audi A1 still maintains a strong, stylish appearance, and with its wide grille similar to that of the R8 supercar, the luxurious supermini looks distinctly sporty. The reality is less exciting on the road, because although the A1 handles very competently and rides well, it doesn’t have the sporty responses of its key rival the MINI. It wins back ground when it comes to refinement though, as the A1 is almost as hushed and relaxed to ride in as a Mercedes C-Class.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The interior design looks very upmarket-Audi too, but closer inspection reveals very similar materials used to the much cheaper VW Polo. Engine choice is limited, but performance is satisfactory, and with only a roomy five-door body available it’s practical too.

About the Audi A1

The second-generation Audi A1 is now only available as a five-door hatchback, which Audi refers to as a Sportback, while the higher-riding Citycarver model with its SUV-lite styling was discontinued back in 2021. Powertrain and trim options have been pared back over time, too, as Audi shifts its focus to production of larger, more premium models.

The A1 line-up now begins with the Sport specification, followed by S line and Black Edition versions, with the previous entry-level Technik and the top-of-the-range Vorsprung trim no longer available.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Sport variants give you 16-inch 10-spoke turbine style alloys, matt black exterior accents, rear parking sensors, front sport seats and cruise control, while S line upgrades to 17-inch 5-spoke alloys, lowered firmer suspension and an exterior styling pack. The Black Edition adds 18-inch alloys and black exterior trim including a contrast roof. 

Engine options for the A1 include a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit with 94bhp, badged 25 TFSI and available with either five-speed manual, or seven-speed S tronic auto transmission. Then there's the 108bhp 30 TFSI, offered with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic auto. The 35 TFSI introduces a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 148bhp mated to the seven-speed auto transmission. The old S Line Competition version with a 204bhp 2.0-litre unit, badged 40 TFSI is not longer offered.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Given its high pricing, the Audi A1 has always been attempting to carve out a niche as ‘the’ premium supermini, it seems. It has the less practical MINI line-up to contend with of course, but its biggest problem may be the sheer quality and desirability of its Volkswagen Group stablemate the VW Polo, which offers similar tech and build quality, for a lot less cash. Other possible rivals in the style-led small car market include the Peugeot 208 and the Fiat 500, but neither feels as grown-up or premium as the Audi A1.

Used and nearly new

Audi launched the second-generation A1 in 2018, so you shouldn't have too much trouble in sourcing a decent used example. Although it's the smallest model in the German manufacturer's lineup, the A1 still benefits from the brand's smart, sophisticated image, which means second-hand prices remain pretty buoyant. You'll certainly pay more for an A1 compared to most of its rivals, but you should get a decent chunk of that back if you choose to eventually sell the car on.

1st gen Audi A1

Audi A1 Mk1: 2010-2018

The Audi A1 was launched in the UK in 2010 as a three-door hatchback model, with the five-door Sportback version following a year later. As a premium small car the A1 was pitched to compete with the classy MINI hatch, offering sharp styling, a first-rate interior and build quality to rival more expensive machinery.

Under the skin, though, the A1 used the same basic architecture as its VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and SEAT Ibiza cousins, which meant it didn't really offer up as much driving fun as the MINI. That wasn't really the point of the A1, however, and its small car luxury feel helped to win over buyers.

Audi offered a range of trim levels for the 1st-gen A1, so you should have plenty of choice when it comes to deciding which model to go for: entry SE still offers a good level of kit, although mid-range Sport and the popular S line specification include appealing features such as sports seats, bigger wheels and improved on-board tech. Read our full Audi A1 Mk1 buyer’s guide here…

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    25 TFSI SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £16,870

Most Economical

  • Name
    25 TFSI SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £16,870

Fastest

  • Name
    40 TFSI 207 S Line Competition 5dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £26,350
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on A1

Audi leasing deals 2022
Audi A3 Sportback
Best cars & vans
13 Sep 2022

Audi leasing deals 2022

The best Audi leasing deals available right now
Used Audi A1 (Mk1, 2010-2018) review
Audi A1 - front tracking
Used car tests
18 Mar 2022

Used Audi A1 (Mk1, 2010-2018) review

The Audi A1 has been a wildly successful premium supermini for over a decade, and continues to sell well in its latest generation. Here’s how to buy t…
Audi A1 and Audi Q2 won’t get follow-up models
Audi Q2
News
9 Feb 2022

Audi A1 and Audi Q2 won’t get follow-up models

The brand’s two smallest vehicles will soon be removed from its line-up, as Audi shifts its focus to larger, more premium vehicles
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi A1 Citycarver vs Ford Fiesta Active
Audi A1 Citycarver vs Ford Fiesta Active - header
Car group tests
18 Mar 2020

Audi A1 Citycarver vs Ford Fiesta Active

The Audi A1 Citycarver is the latest supermini to get the jacked-up treatment, but is it a match for the Ford Fiesta Active?
New Audi A1 Citycarver 2020 review
Audi A1 Citycarver - front
Road tests
24 Jan 2020

New Audi A1 Citycarver 2020 review

The new jacked-up Audi A1 Citycarver brings SUV looks to the supermini sector
Vauxhall Corsa vs Peugeot 208 vs Audi A1
Vauxhall Corsa vs Peugeot 208 vs Audi A1 - header
Car group tests
13 Nov 2019

Vauxhall Corsa vs Peugeot 208 vs Audi A1

The Vauxhall Corsa is aiming for the top of the supermini class. We see if it has a chance by testing it against the Peugeot 208 and Audi A1
New 2019 Audi A1 Citycarver: prices and specs announced
Audi A1 Citycarver - front 3/4 static Frankfurt
News
29 Oct 2019

New 2019 Audi A1 Citycarver: prices and specs announced

Audi’s new off-road inspired version of the A1 Sportback is on sale now, priced from £22,040
Audi A1 (2010-2018) review
New Audi A1 2015 front
In-depth reviews
21 Jan 2019

Audi A1 (2010-2018) review

The Audi A1 packs sharp looks, a high-quality finish and good refinement into a supermini package
New Audi A1 Allroad spied testing
Audi A1 Allroad - spyshot 3
News
16 Jan 2019

New Audi A1 Allroad spied testing

An SUV-inspired version of the Audi A1 hatchback has been snapped, with a jacked up ride height
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi A1 vs MINI
Audi A1 vs MINI - header
Car group tests
15 Jan 2019

Audi A1 vs MINI

The second generation Audi A1 premium supermini locks horns with the class-leading MINI
New Audi A1 2018 review
Audi A1 - front
Road tests
3 Dec 2018

New Audi A1 2018 review

We drive the bigger and posher new Audi A1 supermini as it targets MINI
Skip advert
Advertisement
New 2018 Audi A1 Sportback: pricing and spec
Audi A1 - front action
News
22 Nov 2018

New 2018 Audi A1 Sportback: pricing and spec

Prices for the new Audi A1 begin at £18,450 with deliveries starting at the end of November
Audi A1 Sportback review
Audi A1 Sportback – main image
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2017

Audi A1 Sportback review

The Audi A1 Sportback is a more practical five-door version of the A1 supermini, designed to take on the MINI Clubman
Audi A1 - best small automatic cars
Audi A1 - front static
Best cars & vans
2 Oct 2017

Audi A1 - best small automatic cars

It's getting on a bit, but variety and Audi's first-rate quality put the A1 in our top 10
DS 3 vs MINI Cooper vs Audi A1
DS 3 vs MINI Cooper vs Audi A1 - header
Car group tests
9 Apr 2016

DS 3 vs MINI Cooper vs Audi A1

With a new look and new engines, the DS 3 is aiming high as it meets posh small car rivals from MINI and Audi
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi A1 Sportback vs MINI One 5dr
Audi A1 Sportback vs MINI One 5dr
Car group tests
25 Sep 2015

Audi A1 Sportback vs MINI One 5dr

Premium superminis prove small needn’t mean basic, with Audi’s new 1.0 turbo A1 the latest arrival. We see if it can topple the MINI
Audi A1 1.0 TFSI 2015 review
New Audi A1 2015 front
Road tests
7 Aug 2015

Audi A1 1.0 TFSI 2015 review

The entry-point to Audi ownership, the new Audi A1 TFSI won't leave anyone feeling short-changed
Audi A1
New Audi A1 2015 static
Car group tests
26 May 2015

Audi A1

Audi A1 S line review
A1 s line
Road tests
18 Mar 2015

Audi A1 S line review

Audi's A1 S line supermini packs good looks, great quality and excellent refinement into a compact body
New Audi A1 2015 facelift review
New Audi A1 2015 front
Road tests
25 Feb 2015

New Audi A1 2015 facelift review

Latest Audi A1 facelift is subtle, but tweaks make it better value
Audi A1 facelift 1.4 TSI review
Road tests
26 Dec 2014

Audi A1 facelift 1.4 TSI review

The potent four-cylinder 1.4 TSI turbo engine makes sense in new facelifted Audi A1
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi A1 facelift revealed
News
14 Nov 2014

Audi A1 facelift revealed

New three-cylinder engines debut as well as a subtle facelift, the latest tech and chassis tweaks
MINI Cooper D 5-door vs Fiat 500L & Audi A1 Sportback
Car group tests
23 Oct 2014

MINI Cooper D 5-door vs Fiat 500L & Audi A1 Sportback

We test the new MINI five-door against two of its key premium hatchback rivals to see how it measures up