New Audi A1 Review

This month the Audi A1 range still starts at £499 (section updated October 2023).

Audi A1 Sportback Motability Advance Payment Offers 

What if you really could distil the essence of a large luxury car into a smaller, more affordable one? Many brands have promised us this but in reality, only one model has actually delivered it. This car, Audi's A1. It was launched back in 2009 in three-door form, based on VW Polo underpinnings, with a five-door Sportback body style added to the range in 2011. Half a decade on though, the A1 was starting to feel its age, especially against cheaper Volkswagen Group models like the fifth generation SEAT Ibiza and the sixth generation Volkswagen Polo, both of which made use of the group's more modern MQB platform.

That chassis now undergirds the second generation version of this A1, now offered only in five-door Sportback form and only with petrol power. It gets the pick of the Wolfsburg conglomerate's latest green pump-fuelled engines, plus cutting-edge infotainment and safety technology, plus the chance for buyers to specify the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation screen that's gone down so well further up the range. Sounds promising.

There's a choice of efficient TFSI petrol units with outputs starting from 95PS, all enhanced by turbocharging and direct injection. Things kick off with the '25 TFSI' derivative, which has a 1.0-litre three cylinder unit offering 95PS. Next up is the '30 TFSI' variant, which uses a 116PS version of the same engine. Moving further on, there's the '35 TFSI' model offers a 150PS 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine which uses a cylinder on demand technology. Diesel power is notable by its absence. All engines can be linked to either a manual gearbox or the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. 

The chassis configuration is much as before, which means a straightforward torsion beam suspension set-up is still used at the rear. Tauter sport suspension is optional if you're happy to keep your chiropractor on speed dial, but it's better to upgrade yourself to adjustable dampers if you can. Driver-focused additions you can add include a sound actuator, red brake calipers, larger brake discs and the Audi 'drive select' adaptive dynamics system. This allows drivers to select from four modes that influence the driving characteristics: auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual.

The A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length in this second generation form - extended by 56mm: it now measures a fraction over 4m. Width and height remain much the same as part of a low-slung stance with short overhangs. The wide, low-placed Singleframe grille and the implied side air inlets dominate the distinctive front, above which are three flat bonnet slits which pay homage to the Sport quattro, the brand's rally icon from 1984.  From the side, there's a wide, flat sloping C-pillar that seems to push the car forward even while standing still. The roof contrast line, which is available in two dark colours, ends above the C-pillar. There are smarter 3D-style rear lights too.

And inside? Well there's quite a spacious cabin with classy design highlighted by a fully digital instrument cluster with a high-resolution 10.25-inch display and a multifunction steering wheel. The virtual cockpit TFT instrument display screen that we're now familiar from other Audi models is optional for A1 buyers and offers an extended range of functions such as animated navigation maps and graphics of some driver assistance systems in the driver's direct field of vision. Adults in the rear seats enjoy reasonable head and leg room by supermini standards. Out back, luggage capacity is rated at 335-litres, and with the rear seats folded down, this increases to 1,090-litres.

In the UK market, there are currently 'Technik', 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Black Edition' trim options. With 'S line' trim, you get a more dynamic look courtesy of larger air inlets, additional sill trims, plus an elongated slit centrally below the bonnet with two fins and a larger rear wing. 

Drivers get a choice of ten colours which, as an option, can be combined with a contrasting roof colour extending from the A-pillar to the roof edge spoiler. The exterior mirror housings, the side front spoiler lips and the side sills are also available in a contrasting colour. 

As for safety, well 'Audi pre sense front' autonomous braking and lane departure warning both now come as standard.

Audi has concentrated on improving the efficiency in this A1 Sportback, and nowhere is that more clearly demonstrated than with the 1.0 TFSI engine models. This three-pot 1.0-litre engine in the 25 TFSI model is capable of returning 50.4mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and 127g/km of WLTP-rated CO2. In 116PS guise with the '30 TFSI' variant, this unit can manage WLTP figures of up to 52.3mpg and up to 123g/km.

The 1.5-litre TFSI petrol unit in the 35 TFSI version doesn't do too badly either, managing WLTP readings of 47.1mpg and 134g/km of CO2.

If you've ever wondered just how much style and luxury is really possible in a really small car, then it's worth trying one of these. In distilling the essence of 'Audi-ness' into something this compact, the German brand continues to set this A1 Sportback apart in the supermini segment, offering a balance between sportiness, quality and comfort that rivals are still struggling to match. True, ground-breaking technology isn't on the agenda here, but as Audi has already discovered, there's a place for that and it probably isn't in this very price-conscious sector of the market. What's more important is that if you climb out of an expensive A4 or A6 into an A1 costing half as much, the feeling is very much the same.

In fact, that's even more the case with this MK2 model with its smarter finish and hi-tech Audi connect infotainment options. All right, so in overall terms, the revisions made to this supermini aren't especially far-reaching, but then they didn't really need to be. There's still nothing else in this segment that's quite as polished and premium. The A1 then, remains a very expensive-feeling car that for you, may well be just about affordable. Exactly as Audi promised.

People with a disability and carers who choose a new Audi A1 through Motability will receive a brand new car, delivered by a Motability Specialist at a local Audi dealership, complete with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance, replacement tyre cover, windscreen repair or replacement cover plus a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles over three years.