For The Audi A1 Sportback has a high-quality interior, a range of good engines and is great to drive and own.
Against As you progress up the trim hierarchy, you get firmer suspension, bigger wheels and a firmer ride. List prices aren’t cheap and other five-door superminis are roomier in the back.
The Audi A1 Sportback is the classiest of superminis and proves you don't have to scrimp on quality when buying a small car. More useable than the three-door, but still not a match for the best five-door superminis on practicality
A 138bhp four-cylinder 1.4-litre engine that can close off two of its cylinders when cruising to save fuel is due in the Audi A1 Sportback in the summer. It has the power, economy and emissions similar to the 2.0-litre diesel (due to arrive at the same time), but will be cheaper.
Until then, four engines are available – three turbocharged petrols with 85bhp, 120bhp or 182bhp, and a 1.6 diesel with 104bhp. The mid-range petrol is our favourite, providing the best blend of power economy for an affordable price. However, we suspect it could well be ousted once the clever 138bhp engine becomes available.
We'd advise opting for Sport trim – you get all the goodies you'd want with a suspension set-up that's not too firm.
Audi's five-year servicing plan looks good value and the other option we'd recommend would be the contrasting roof paint job. It makes the A1 Sportback look smart and it should help resale values when it's time to sell the car on.
I listened to the good advice given about which model to buy. The 1.4 TFSI is the engine to have and Sport is the trim level if you want to balance…