The original Audi A1 broke the mould when it was launched in 2010. Here was a compact car which brought the look and feel of a far more upmarket model. It was quickly snapped up by buyers, and when the second-generation A1 arrived eight years later - and is the car that we’re looking at here - it elevated things with even better in-car quality, a more refined driving and lots of features that you’d usually find on a car costing three times as much.
The original A1 was the go-to supermini for drivers who wanted a compact and easy-to-drive car with loads of premium features. The second-generation model only elevates that, with a high-end finish which feels a step above the rest.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioAs an Audi model, the A1 does carry the usual premium that you’d expect from this manufacturer of upmarket cars. As a result, the A1 starts from £24,230 in entry-level Sport trim, though all cars get a high level of standard equipment to help justify this cost. Step up to S Line and this price increases to £26,180 before topping out at £27,880 for a range-topping Black Edition. However, all models do come with a lot of equipment from the off, so it’s a solid proposition in terms of features.
Switch to the used market and there’s a reflection of the A1’s demand in pricing. Some low-mileage models are going for just over £30,000 - a considerable premium over the new car - while for the price of a standard Sport, you could find a Black Edition car, albeit one with just under 4,500 miles on the clock.
As you might expect for a smaller car, the Audi A1 comes accompanied by a series of small-capacity engines that aim to deliver top levels of efficiency. In fact, the current A1 gets two options based around the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. There’s the 20 TFSI and 30 TFSI, which both use the aforementioned 1.0-litre engine, with the former getting a lower total output than the latter. There’s also the option of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox with either setup, so there should be a combination for most drivers.
At points, the A1 has been available with slightly larger engines for drivers after a version with more punch. There has been a turbocharged 1.5-litre setup, as well as a range-topping 2.0-litre. However, to get these, you’ll have to look at a used model rather than a brand-new version.
There’s a premium feel when you get behind the wheel of the Audi A1. You sit quite low on the road - making a clear distinction between this car and raised-up crossovers - but visibility is good all-round. The A1 is a compact car, too, and this helps when navigating heavy traffic or parking. All cars come with a good arrangement of sensors and cameras, too, which helps things in this area further.
While the smaller engines can sound a little rough under heavy acceleration, they are, for the most part, quiet and well contained in terms of vibration. Six-speed manual cars get a smooth, pleasant action and a light clutch. Switch to automatic cars and while this setup shifts pleasantly enough, it can sometimes suffer from ‘lag’, with a noticeable delay between the press of the accelerator and the delivery of power.
To drive, the Audi A1 feels like a much larger car. That’s not saying it’s tricky to drive, but instead means that you get the kind of refinement that you’d usually expect to find in a far bigger car. At motorway speeds, the A1 is quiet and comfortable, with impressively low levels of wind and road noise. Around town, the A1’s light steering makes it a dream to drive, while the engine provides more than enough punch to get you through a gap in traffic.
The A1 deals well with potholes, too, though cars with slightly larger alloy wheels do get a firmer edge as you might expect. The good news, however, is that the A1’s refinement means that it’s suited to all types of driving, rather than being restricted to just local journeys as is often the case for cars of this size.
As is so typical with Audi models, the interior of the A1 is finished to a very high standard. There are pleasant materials used throughout, and it’s all put together very well, too. While the central infotainment screen might be on the smaller size compared to the very latest standards, it’s nicely integrated and has all of the features you could need. The steering wheel itself has some handy controls, too.
There isn’t too much variation in terms of colours or trims available on the A1, but that’s not too much of an issue as it all looks quite smart anyway.
For such a small car, the A1 offers a great level of space. Those in the back of the car are helped no end by the A1’s slightly boxy design, which allows for more headroom. Legroom isn’t too bad, though having a taller passenger or driver ahead will restrict things. Storage overall isn’t bad, either, with well-sized door bins providing somewhere to keep those loose items.
With its 335-litre boot, the A1 has a good amount of luggage space to offer, too. The load area itself is square and well-shaped and there’s not too much of a load lip to contend with. Plus, you can lower the rear seats, should you need to, which expands the boot space considerably.
As mentioned earlier, the A1 does get a good level of equipment as standard. There’s the 10.1-inch infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which give the car a good level of tech from the off. The main screen is easy to operate, too, and is packed with features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster can be configured to show all sorts of information, too.
Everything is neatly integrated, too, with a row of toggle-style switches underneath the screen controlling a variety of elements. There’s also a physical dial for the volume which, in the day and age of in-screen sound adjustments, is quite the novelty, but it’s one which is much easier to use when you’re on the move.
The A1’s current specification line-up consists of Sport, S-Line and Black Edition. Kicking off with Sport, the A1 gets the full 10.1-inch infotainment system and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, both of which are sharp and easy to operate. These cars also benefit from standard-fit cruise control, which can help to make longer journeys easier.
S-Line is a popular grade across the Audi range and it’s no different on the A1. It adds a sportier look and feel to this model through a dedicated body kit which brings changes to the grille, bumpers and rear. You get redesigned alloy wheels, too. Also part of the S-Line trim is a full sport suspension setup, which brings a lower ride height to the A1 and a sportier feel to the driving experience. This does mean that S-Line cars are often a little firmer than standard Sport models, so it’s worth test-driving the two to see which one works out best for you.
Finally, you have Black Edition, which is similar to S-Line save for a range of black-coloured elements. Components such as the grille and wing mirror covers are finished in high-gloss black for a more understated look.
There’s a good range of colours to choose from on the Audi A1, too, with the usual greys and blacks being joined by some more vibrant reds and blues.
When crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019, the Audi A1 was awarded a full five-star rating, making it a very safe car at the time. Testers awarded an impressive 95 per cent score for adult occupant safety, as well as an 85 per cent score for child occupant safety. An 80 per cent rating for the A1’s safety assistance features is also very good. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that since 2019, testing regulations have become more stringent, so even though the A1 has a five-star rating, it might not get the same score if tested today.
The A1 does well in terms of reliability, however. Its solid interior means that there should be few issues with the cabin holding out over time, while the A1’s relatively compact engines should prove reliable over time. As always, if looking at a used example, then make sure to check a car’s service history to make sure that it has been looked after.
Opt for one of the latest A1 engines and you’ll be getting a good level of efficiency in general. Audi claims up to 52.1mpg combined from the 1.0-litre engine and this should mean that trips to the pump are few and far between. With CO2 emissions between 123 and 131g/km, the A1 is a little more polluting than you might expect a car of this size to be, but it’s still not too bad overall.
Most Audi A1 cars will come with a standard £195 per year road tax amount, though this may differ for older models. Since all cars come in at under £40,000, they won’t incur the Expensive Car Supplement, either.
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