Audi A1 review
The Audi A1 is a premium supermini that packs all the style, quality, and technology of a big Audi into a compact, city-friendly package.
Author: Charlie Harvey
16th Dec 2025 – 9 mins read
The Audi A1 is the perfect choice if you want the premium feel and desirable image of an Audi but in a smaller, more affordable car. When it first launched in 2010, it was a huge hit, offering big-car quality in a supermini size. The second-generation model, which arrived in 2018, built on that success with a sharper, more mature design, a high-tech interior, and much-improved practicality. Now only available as a five-door 'Sportback' model, the latest A1 is more spacious and family-friendly than ever before. It's fantastic to drive, comes loaded with standard equipment, and has that undeniable 'kerb appeal' that comes with the four-ring badge. While it’s pricier than many rivals and some of the interior plastics could be better, the A1 delivers a truly premium supermini experience.
Pros
- Fantastic to drive with a composed ride
- Stylish looks and a desirable premium badge
- Much more practical and spacious than the original model
Cons
- It's one of the more expensive superminis
- Some interior plastics don't feel very premium
- No diesel options in the latest generation
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Step inside the second-generation A1, and you're greeted by a very modern and driver-focused cockpit. The design is sharp and angular, and the standout feature on all models is the large central touchscreen and the digital driver’s display, which Audi calls the 'Virtual Cockpit'. It looks fantastic and gives the A1 a seriously high-tech feel that many rivals can’t match.
The infotainment system is brilliant to use, and all models come with a smartphone interface, meaning you can easily connect your phone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The only slight let-down is that while the top of the dashboard feels soft and expensive, some of the plastics lower down, particularly on the doors, feel a bit hard and scratchy, which is a little disappointing for a premium car.
Comfort
For a small car, the A1 is impressively comfortable and composed, especially on the motorway where it feels like a much larger car. The seats are supportive, and it's easy to find a great driving position, making it a good choice for longer journeys.
The ride is on the firmer side, which is typical for an Audi, but it’s rarely uncomfortable. It manages to soak up most bumps in the road without much fuss. The cabin is also well-insulated from wind and road noise, adding to the refined, grown-up feel of the car. It’s a comfortable and quiet place to spend time.
Quality
The A1 generally lives up to Audi’s reputation for high quality. The cabin feels solid and well-engineered, and all the main touchpoints like the steering wheel and switchgear have a premium feel. The digital screens are crisp and clear, and the overall fit and finish are excellent.
While some of the lower-down plastics don't feel quite as plush as you might hope, the overall impression is still one of quality and sophistication. It feels like a proper, premium product that has been built to last, which is a big part of its appeal over more mainstream superminis.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
One of the biggest improvements with the second-generation A1 is the amount of space inside. A common complaint about the original car was its cramped rear seats, but thankfully, Audi has addressed this. Thanks to a longer body, the latest model has much more room in the back.
Two adults can now sit in the rear in reasonable comfort, with decent legroom and headroom. It’s still a supermini, so three across the back would be a squeeze, but for a small family, it's now a much more usable and practical car. The switch to a five-door-only body style also makes getting in and out of the back much easier.
Boot space
The boot has also had a significant growth spurt. It now offers 335 litres of space, which is a big improvement and makes it one of the most practical boots in the premium supermini class. It’s more than enough for a big weekly shop or luggage for a weekend away.
If you need to carry larger items, the rear seats fold down to open up a total load space of 1,090 litres. It’s a practical, well-shaped boot that adds a great deal to the A1's everyday usability, making it a car that can easily handle the demands of daily life.
Driving
Driving experience
The Audi A1 is a car that strikes a brilliant balance between comfort and fun. The steering has a nice, reassuring weight to it, and the car feels agile and responsive on a twisty road. It’s one of the best-driving cars in its class, alongside the Mini and Ford Fiesta.
It feels incredibly stable and composed, whether you're nipping through city traffic or cruising on the motorway. The firm suspension means there’s very little body roll in corners, giving the driver plenty of confidence. It’s an enjoyable and engaging car to drive, but it’s also easy-going and refined when you just want to relax.
Performance
The latest A1 is available only with a range of efficient turbocharged petrol engines. The range kicks off with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine (badged 25 TFSI or 30 TFSI depending on power output), which is surprisingly punchy and perfect for city driving.
For more performance, there's a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (35 TFSI) and a powerful 2.0-litre engine (40 TFSI) that turns the A1 into a proper hot hatch. Most engines are available with either a slick manual gearbox or a quick-shifting S tronic automatic transmission. There’s a good choice to suit most needs, from economical city driving to speedy B-road fun.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Running costs for the A1 are very reasonable. The popular 1.0-litre petrol engine is particularly efficient, capable of achieving over 50mpg in official tests. With low CO2 emissions, it’s also affordable to tax. Even the more powerful engines offer decent economy for the performance they provide.
It's worth bearing in mind that because it’s a premium car, the A1 sits in higher insurance groups than some of its rivals. This might make it more expensive to insure, particularly for younger drivers.
Value for money
The A1 is positioned at the top end of the supermini market, with a list price to match. However, it holds its value exceptionally well, which is a huge plus. This strong demand means you won’t lose as much money on it over time compared to many other cars. On the used market, the original A1 offers a very affordable way into premium car ownership, while nearly-new examples of the latest model provide a good saving on the new price.
Reliability & Warranty
The engines and technology used in the A1 are well-proven across the wider Volkswagen Group, so reliability is generally good. From new, Audi provides a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, so many used examples will still have some of this manufacturer cover remaining, giving you extra peace of mind.
Safety
Safety features
Audi has packed the latest A1 with an impressive amount of safety technology. While it hasn’t been tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, the closely related VW Polo received a full five-star rating, and the A1 should perform just as well.
Crucially, all models come with an autonomous emergency braking system (which Audi calls 'Pre sense front') as standard. This can detect pedestrians and cyclists and apply the brakes automatically to help avoid a collision. Lane departure warning is also standard on every car, which is excellent for a car of this size.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The second-generation A1 comes in a range of trim levels, all of which are well-equipped.
Technik: The entry-level model (on later cars) is far from basic. It comes with LED headlights, the digital cockpit, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with smartphone interface, and a host of safety features.
Sport: This trim adds larger alloy wheels, different front and rear bumpers for a sportier look, and sports seats.
S line: This popular trim gives the A1 a much more aggressive look, with a full body kit, even larger wheels, and firmer sports suspension. It also features part-leather sports seats.
Black Edition / Vorsprung: These are top-of-the-range models that add features like a black exterior styling pack, upgraded sound systems, and even more technology.
Engines
The A1 is available with a range of turbocharged petrol engines (TFSI).
25 TFSI: A 1.0-litre engine with 94bhp, great for city driving.
30 TFSI: A more powerful 1.0-litre engine with 114bhp, offering a great all-round balance.
35 TFSI: A 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine with 148bhp for those wanting more performance.
40 TFSI: The range-topping 2.0-litre engine with 197bhp, delivering hot-hatch pace.