Revving up
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The second generation Audi A1 was launched in 2018, to a very similar formula to the 2010 model it succeeded: supermini size, economy, and running costs, but the quality and image of a premium brand. Just as before, it’s similar to a Volkswagen Polo under the skin, but has chunky styling that could pass for the larger A3, and the driving experience isn’t that different from its larger sibling either.
A premium badge typically requires a premium budget, but that’s where buying a used A1 comes in. It’s a popular car so there’s plenty of choice on the used market, and the A1 has several engine and trim options to broaden your choice further. The original A1 is still well worth a look too if you have less to spend, and has diesel and hot hatchback (the Audi S1) options too.
Audi is one of only a handful of manufacturers to give supermini buyers a real premium option, so if you need a small car but want the feel and badge appeal of a larger one, then the A1 could be the ideal choice. It has the same smart styling cues as larger Audis but only takes up the same space on the road, give or take a few millimeters here and there, as a Volkswagen Polo.
The 2018-on model we’re concentrating on here has slightly squarer styling than the curvier original, and drops the three-door option of that car, but otherwise appeals in many of the same ways. Higher spec A1s can feel quite flash, but all models get an infotainment touchscreen and an interior that feels a step above the norm in this class. Being Polo-based, it’s among the more spacious options too.
All 2018-on A1s use petrol power - you’ll need to look at the older model if you want a diesel, or indeed a proper hot hatch, since there’s no S1 of this generation either. But the engine lineup is smooth, punchy, and frugal. The A1 handles sharply, though you’ll have more fun in a MINI or even a Ford Fiesta, as the A1 can feel a little disconnected from the action - though this could be a benefit for some drivers, and it’s certainly refined at speed.
Under the skin the A1 is similar to cars like the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia, and these all make great, practical options without the Audi price tag - though also without the Audi badge appeal. The MINI 5-door hatchback has more of a sense of fun than the A1 but isn’t quite as practical, and while few other options have the Audi’s image, cars like the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, and Ford Fiesta are still great superminis in their own right.
Unlike the previous Audi A1 there are no diesel engines here, nor a true S1 range-topper aimed at hot hatchback enthusiasts. What you get instead are a range of three- and four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines of various outputs, but all do the job perfectly well - even the 95PS entry level model is peppy and capable of 50mpg. If you’ve got the budget then the more powerful units will net you more performance, while in terms of specification, the lower Technik and Sport trims are probably the sweet spot, being well-equipped and just as well-built as the sportier trims, but riding rough surfaces slightly better on their smaller wheel options.
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Most of the trim levels below will look familiar if you’ve searched for an Audi before, though while most Audis start in Sport trim, the A1 gets a lower Technik entry point - though as you’d expect from a premium marque, equipment isn’t too bad even at its most basic. All models are five-door with this generation A1.
The Audi A1’s dimensions are:
The Audi A1’s boot size is:
Since April 2017, there has been a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’ for all vehicles from their second year of registration onwards. Since the current A1 was launched after this point, and has no hybrid option for a small discount, all models will cost you £190 per year to tax, at the current 2024/2025 rate.
At its most affordable the Audi A1 starts in groupo 16 insurance, for a 25 TFSI in Technik trim, and rises to group 31, for the 40 TFSI S Line Competition. This means you’ll likely pay more to insure an A1 than an equivalent Volkswagen Polo, where a 95PS TSI in sporty R-Line trim is only group 8, less than the same engine in an A1.
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