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For A small car with Audi qualities and the Audi badge can't fail. All the petrol engines are good, and quality is up to the usual Audi standards. The A1 has a far bigger boot than the rival Mini.

Against As you progress up the trim hierarchy, you get firmer suspension, bigger wheels and a firmer ride. The list prices aren’t exactly cheap, either, and the diesel engines are noisy.

Audi A1 Hatchback
55 5stars

The Audi A1 is a sure-fire hit. It has all that's good about the brand in a package less than four metres long. However, unless you can live with a hard ride, avoid the firmest suspension and biggest wheels.

What Car? readers say

4.571429

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The full Audi A1 review


There are 18 Audi A1 versions available

Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 140 Black Edition ACT 3dr TBA
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 140 S line ACT auto 3dr TBA
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 140 Sport ACT auto 3dr TBA
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.2 TFSI 86 SE 3dr £13,790
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 SE 3dr £14,850
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.2 TFSI 86 Sport 3dr £15,630
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport 3dr £16,040
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 Sport 3dr £16,690
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.2 TFSI 86 S line 3dr £17,175
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport auto 3dr £17,490
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 S line 3dr £17,585
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 S line 3dr £18,235
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 TDI 143 Sport 3dr £18,315
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 S line auto 3dr £19,035
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 TDI 143 S line 3dr £19,860
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 185 S line auto 3dr £21,090
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 TDI 143 Black Edition 3dr £21,110 TBA
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 185 Black Edition aut 3dr £22,340
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The Audi A1 is a former What Car? Car of the Year winner, and it still holds our Supermini of the Year title. That's impressive, but even so there are some versions that are better than others in our view.

The best all-rounder is the 1.4 TFSI in Sport trim, because it’s enjoyable to drive and has decent fuel economy, but whichever A1 you pick, it will hold its value well and provide a decent amount of equipment.

SE trim is noticeably cheaper than the rest of the range, but you don’t forego too many of the toys that make the A1 feel a little more special than some of its rivals. If you go for SE, look at adding Bluetooth connection for an extra £300, but don’t get carried away with the lengthy options list.

S line specification brings more equipment, but also suspension that is too stiff for our liking. Sport is a good compromise between comfort and kit, so that’s the one we’d go for.

Reader test team says:

Audi A1 Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport 3dr

BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED!! For a reliable and well built manufacturer I was surprised at how efficient this model is, especially considering its a…

Morven Munro

5 out of 5 stars

Audi A1 Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 Sport 3dr

OK, so this car is a bit more expensive but it's worth it. It feels bigger than it is, drives bigger than it is and is better put together than…

Shaun Tate

5 out of 5 stars

Audi A1 Hatchback 1.6 TDI Sport 3dr

Car is actually the 5 dr Sportback but no options in review menu. Changed from Mini to get the rear doors and more space - surprisingly big in the…

M Selby

5 out of 5 stars

Audi A1 Hatchback 1.6 TDI Sport 3dr

The A1 is beautifully made and oozes quality, whilst not cheap it does feel like a bigger Audi made smaller rather than a VW Polo with some window…

John bradshaw

4 out of 5 stars
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Audi A1 Hatchback

Read the definitive Audi A1 Hatchback review from the expert What Car? team. Check specs, prices and compare with similar cars.

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