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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

4.4

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The full Audi A1 review


There are 15 Audi A1 versions available

Hatchback 1.2 TFSI 86 SE 3dr £13,640
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 SE 3dr £14,700
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.2 TFSI 86 Sport 3dr £15,480
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport 3dr £15,890
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 Sport 3dr £16,540
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.2 TFSI 86 S line 3dr £17,025
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport auto 3dr £17,340
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 S line 3dr £17,435
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 105 S line 3dr £18,085
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 TDI 143 Sport 3dr £18,165
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 122 S line auto 3dr £18,885
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 TDI 143 S line 3dr £19,710
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 185 S line auto 3dr £20,940
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 TDI 143 Black Edition 3dr £20,960 TBA
Hatchback 1.4 TFSI 185 Black Edition aut 3dr £22,190
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 1.6 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

Audi A1 Hatchback 1.6 TDI Sport 3dr

This is the best car small car i have ever owned, i use to own a MINI, i am i so glad i change, its a much bigger car, as well the quality is amazing…

alastair baldwin

5 out of 5 stars

Audi A1 Hatchback 1.4T quattro 3dr

The 'Audi A1 Hatchback 1.4T quattro 3dr' is a fantastic little car. It combines traditional Audi build quality with the practicality of a small car.…

Liam Robinson

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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