Road Test: Audi A1 30 TFSI S Line
Martyn Collins finds it’s more of the same for Audi’s premium supermini, being good to drive with a reasonably spacious interior.
SECTOR Supermini PRICE £22,350 FUEL 65.7-67.3 CO2 113g/km
It is hard to believe that the first-generation, Mini-chasing Audi A1 lasted almost a decade, with its mixture of quality trim, a comfortable driving position and refinement finding favour with fleet buyers.
Like the rest of the current crop of superminis, the A1 is five-door only now. Still, the Sportback as it’s now called, is 50mm longer – a benefit of being underpinned by the same MQB-A0 platform as the latest Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Škoda Scala. Outside, the latest A1 is familiar, but follows the family look with more aggressive styling cues. Especially with the S-Line trim that we have on test, including deeper bumpers and the optional arch-filling 17-inch alloys.
Inside, it feels every bit the modern Audi, with the angular style, large 8.8-inch central touchscreen and digital dials. All the Audi interior tech is pleasingly easy to navigate too. But considering the price of our test car including options was almost £30,000, the interior finish was disappointing with more hard and scratchy plastics than you might expect and standard equipment on the meagre side, with options soon adding up.
What you can’t complain about is the interior space, with enough room for two adults to fit comfortably in the back – even with a tall driver. Boot space is practical at 335 litres, which is 65 more than the first-generation model.
On the road, our 30 TFSI, or 114hp 1.0-litre petrol feels slow off the mark, although this was probably made worse with the optional S Tronic automatic transmission. Still, the A1 handles well, with negligible body roll and plenty of grip. Although, the steering lacks feel and the larger, optional wheels unsettle the ride.
So, whilst the latest A1 might look the part and should prove cheap to run, it is expensive to buy. However, considering it’s an Audi, it’s a shame the interior doesn’t match the rest of the premium feel.
FW Star Rating
4/5
Martyn Collins
Martyn has 18 years experience as a motoring journalist, working across a wide selection of B2B and consumer titles. A car enthusiast since his early years, Martyn has a particular interest in the latest models and technology and in his spare time enjoys driving his own Minis.
