New Mini 5dr vs Audi A1 Sportback vs Ford Fiesta
The Mini hatch has had a revamp to keep the likes of the Audi A1 and Ford Fiesta Vignale on their toes. Which is the best premium small car?...
Infotainment systems
Audi A1 Sportback
Audi’s infotainment systems are usually ace, but the A1’s is old-tech. The small screen is low-res, the menus are laggy and the rotary controller and buttons aren’t well positioned for easy use. You don’t get a USB port, but you can connect a device via an optional adapter (£71) to a socket in the glovebox. An upgraded system costing £995 adds a slightly sharper screen, Google Maps and a 40GB hard drive but isn’t worth the extra cash. The Bose stereo is worth considering, though.
Ford’s Sync 3 interface has its faults – the menus can be a tad haphazardly arranged and aren’t the most responsive at times – but overall it’s good for the class. The 8.0in screen is bright, the graphics are decent and it comes with loads of features as standard, including smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices. The Vignale also comes with a 675- watt B&O Play sound system, complete with surround sound, 10 speakers and a subwoofer to please you audiophiles.
As standard, the Cooper gets a 6.5in screen, but the price shown includes the Navigation Plus Pack (£2000), which adds a beautifully clear 8.8in screen, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, online services such as weather and traffic reports, and a concierge service. The system is responsive and easy to use via the rotary controller by the gearlever or as a touchscreen. The default stereo is a bit limp, but the 12-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade (£590) improves things.
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