What Car? Awards 2012

Audi A1

Winner, Best Supermini

The Audi A1 is the best supermini of 2012. It flies in the face of the theory that superminis have to be dirt cheap. It’s a proper premium car, just one that happens to have dinky dimensions.

Nowhere is that more obvious than from the driver’s seat. The baby of Audi’s line-up does a fine impression of the posh saloons the company is famous for, with its elegant dashboard, comfortable driving position and superb build quality. Thankfully, the A1’s class also extends to the way it drives. Choose the 121bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine and you’ll enjoy punchy and flexible performance, while the suspension on our favourite Sport model strikes the right balance of comfort and control. Yes, there are plenty of cheaper ’minis to choose from, but value is about much more than the price you pay the dealer. The A1 will be worth more than any of its rivals when you come to sell it, and it won’t cost you much to run, either. It even comes with a generous amount of kit. All told, the A1’s class runs far deeper than the four rings on its nose, making it remarkable value.

Read the full Audi A1 Hatchback review