Quick overview
- Good to drive
- Refined at all speeds
- Lots of options to personalise
- Pricier than some rivals
- Not much kit with lowest trim
- Some plastics feel cheap
The second generation of Audi A1 showed a growing confidence for this premium-badged supermini. Its looks are sharper and the way it drives is a definite step up from the previous model. It’s also only offered in five-door Sportback form as Audi acknowledges this is a more practical shape, and it saves the added cost of building two different bodies for this smallest car in the company’s range.
As the most compact model in Audi’s line-up, it also brings the A1 into close competition with many brands it doesn’t normally have to consider. While BMW has a rival to the Audi in the shape of the Mini, other high-falutin’ brands are less inclined to challenge in this sector, so the A1 finds itself in competition with the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, as well as the Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio that have plenty of pizzazz in their design.
All of this means the Audi has to work hard to lure customers in, which it does partly with that comforting sense of quality that the German firm does so well. However, it also achieves its aims by making the A1 Sportback one of the best superminis to drive, and it’s a small car that easily slots in to your driving routine even if you frequent motorways and travel longer distances on a routine basis.
Where some might question the A1 is that it doesn’t have a hybrid or electric option in the line-up. On the other hand, you have plenty of choice when it comes to making an Audi A1 Sportback yours with the variety of extras and trims to choose from. There’s also a good spread of petrol engines to pick from, as well as manual and automatic gearboxes, so an Ai Sportback customer need not feel hemmed in with their preferences.
Infotainment, comfort and practicality
It might be a small car on the outside, but the A1 Sportback feels remarkably generous inside with the amount of room it offers the driver. This is down to the range of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel that allows the position to be fine-tuned to suit almost any shape of human. This is despite the roof of the 2018-on model being lower than the car it replaced, so it says a lot about this car that Audi has created more space for the driver’s head, legs and arms. Coupled to good all-round vision and lumbar adjustment in Sport models and above, and the A1 is a very cost, cosseting place to be. It’s also very well put together, though some of the plastics lower down in the dash and doors is a bit more humdrum in look and feel.
Every Audi A1 Sportback comes with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit dash display rather than analogue clocks. It lends the A1 that upmarket look and feel that many buyers will expect of an Audi, and the design also works well, so it’s job done. Just as vitally, the infotainment is one of the better ones to use in any car you can buy in the supermini sector. It uses an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen in all of the trim levels with large onscreen icons to make it easy to pick and choose which menu you want. It works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to let you access apps from your phone. The only disappointment is the A1 Sportback doesn’t come with Audi’s excellent rotary controller for the MMI Multi Media Interface, so you have to use the touchscreen.
Stepping into the back seats of the A1 is no problem as the doors open wide, which also makes it a doddle to load in younger kids to their child seats. There are Isofix mounts on both outer rear seats and the wind line means children should be able to see out of the Audi easily. Decent sized door bins will hold a small water bottle. Fitting three across the A1’s rear bench will be a push even with three kids, and adults will find it just too cramped. However, keep it to a pair of grown-ups and the Audi offers enough room to avoid complaints on short to medium length trips.
The rear seats split and fold 60-40 to boost luggage space to a maximum of 1090-litres, which is reasonable for this class. With the seats back occupied, there’s 335-litres of cargo carrying capacity, which still makes it one of the most generous in this sector. A height adjustable boot floor is an option worth having as it means you can slide in heavier loads easily as the floor sits flush with the boot lip while also offering some hidden storage underneath.
2018 Audi A1 engines: how does it drive?
If you’re after an executive class experience in a small car, then look no further than the Audi A1 Sportback. It does almost everything the A3 or even the A4 does, but in a more compact size. This is thanks to the supple suspension that makes light work of every type of surface and gives the A1 a sense of comfort and control that is only bettered by the Ford Fiesta. However, like the Ford, it does depend to some degree on which model of the A1 you choose. Let us explain.
The Technik and Sport models both come with the same standard suspension set-up for the A1, which is nothing short of superb. However, go for the S line or Black Edition models and they come with firmer sports suspension as standard and this introduces a slightly abrupt way in which the A1 deals with lumps and bumps in the road. You might think the pay-off for this is keen handling, but neither of these two trim levels corners or feels appreciably more athletic than the Technik or Sport versions. For this reason, the two lower trims are the ones to aim for if you want the best balance between comfort and entertaining handling. And be in no doubt, the A1 is very enjoyable to drive down twisty country lanes as it has oodles of grip and good steering feel.
When you’re driving in more mundane conditions, the A1 is still just as much on your side. Refinement on the motorway is very good, though it’s not quite as insulated from road and wind noise as a Volkswagen Polo. Still, the A1 feels solid and assured in crosswinds and there’s the feel of a bigger car from the behind the wheel that means long distances are dispatched with ease. This is helped by the well-judged weights of all of the major controls, as well as the minor ones such as the switches and column stalks for indicators and wipers.
All but the entry point Technik model comes with cruise control as standard, and it’s the same deal with rear parking sensors. This is a necessity in the A1 Sportback in our view as the thick rear pillar can make it awkward to back into tight spaces.
When it comes to engines in the A1, there are three turbocharged petrol motors to pick from. In the 25 and 30 TFSI models, you’ll find a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with, respectively, 95- and 110hp. With the 25, you have a choice of five-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearboxes, with the auto adding half a second to manual’s 11.0-second 0-62mph time. In the 30 TFSI version, acceleration over the same sprint drops to 10.5 seconds for the six-speed manual car and 10.6 for the auto.
The 35 TFSI has its own 1.5-litre engine and is only offered with the seven-speed auto ’box. It’s a noticeably quicker car in every instance, so it’s the one for keener drivers to seek out. Use all of tis 150hp and it can cover 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds and, like the others with is gearbox, changes are smooth and swift.
Value for money: how much does a 2018 Audi A1 cost to buy and run?
The Audi A1 Sportback is not the cheapest supermini in the sector by some margin as even the entry point 25 TFSI Technik model costs from £20,840. Move up to the Sport and it begins at 22,290, while the S line starts from £23,940 and the Black Edition at £25,775. Choosing the s tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox in place of the manual gearbox will add £1540 to the tally. When it comes to savings on a new A1 Sportback, it’s slim pickings as you’re likely to only shave off a maximum of £500. Look to a nearly new model and you should be looking at savings of around £2000 on the price of a new model. A three-year old A1 will cost from around £15,000 for one with average miles.
The A1 Sportback range starts with the Technik model that sits on 15-inch alloy wheels and has LED lights front and rear. It also has Audi’s Pre-Sense safety system with autonomous emergency braking, plus there’s hill-hold assist, lane departure warning, and a speed limiter the driver can use to set a maximum speed for the car. There are front, side and head airbags, and Audi Connect with e-call to dial the emergency services in the event of a collision. Cloth upholstery covers the seats and the cabin is cooled by air conditioning, and there are electric windows front and back. The dash uses the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and there’s an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen for the infotainment that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Next in line is the Sport model with its 16-inch alloys and Audi Drive Select that offers Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, and Individual driving modes. You also get front sports seats, adjustable lumbar support, cruise control, and rear parking sensors. The S line gains 17-inch alloys and sports suspension, as well as a sporty bodykit and part-leatherette upholstery. Choose the Black Edition and you have exterior trim finished in gloss black, rear privacy glass, and 18-inch wheels. This model also has its roof painted in contrasting black.
Fuelling an Audi A1 Sportback is cheapest in the 30 TFSI model with the six-speed manual gearbox as it offers a combined average of 53.3mpg, or 49.6mpg with the automatic gearbox. These two produce 120- and 130g/km of carbon dioxide emissions, respectively. The 25 TFSI delivers 51.4mpg and 124g/km with the five-speed manual ’box, or 47.9mpg and 134g/km with the auto. Opt for the 35 TFSI and you’ll see an average of 46.3mpg and emissions of 139g/km. All A1s comes with Audi’s three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, and you can opt to increase this to as much as five years and 90,000 miles.
Verdict: Should I buy a 2018 Audi A1 ?
There is a great deal to like and admire about the Audi A1 Sportback, though some might argue so there should be given it’s pricier than many of its key rivals. The added cost of the A1 is justified to some extent by the superb driving manners of this car and the overall high quality of its cabin. Even with the least powerful engine, it’s fun to drive and can easily cope with long distances with excellent refinement and comfort.
Finding the right A1 Sportback for you does take a little research to identify the ideal engine and gearbox combination, and the right suspension set-up to suit your needs. We’d rate the standard set-up of the Technik and Sport models above the firmer feel of the S line and Black Edition, yet the Technik misses out on some desirable equipment. This means the Sport is the trim to aim for in most instances.
What could I buy instead of a 2018 Audi A1 ?
Ford Fiesta
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It’s hard to find fault with the Ford Fiesta as it’s a car that seems to rise to meet every challenge thrown at it. From the perfect car to learn to drive in to a feisty hot hatch, there’s a model to suit every need and budget. It’s also a car that’s deeply satisfying to drive, whether you just need straightforward transport or desire something with good handling. It’s also very comfortable and refined, has a broad range of engine options including a hybrid, and the cabin is one of the roomier in the class. There’s also lots of choice with trim levels, so there’s a Fiesta for almost everyone.
Hyundai i20
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Dismiss the Hyundai i20 at your peril as this is a relentlessly sensible small car. For some, it will be too sensible a choice and they will flock to the Audi’s greater badge appeal, but for others the fine warranty and hassle-free experience of Hyundai ownership will draw them in. On the road, the i20 is not as much fun or quite as refined as the A1 Sportback, but all models are well equipped and there’s a simple ladder of trim options if you want more kit. The only real blot on the i20’s copybook is the cramped rear seat space.
Citroen C3
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For those who are determined to stand out from the crowd, Citroen has been a natural choice of car for decades, and the current C3 is one of its best. The funky looks are only the start of it as the C3 also offers a very cushy ride that makes it ideal for dealing with battered city streets. It also comes with superbly comfortable seats for those in the front, but rear seat passengers will find the Citroen comes up short on the amount of space it has to offer. The C3 is also only average at best when it comes to how it drives, and the entry level model is somewhat basic with its equipment.
