Some manufacturers build their smaller cars to lower standards to save cash, but not Audi. So when you buy an Audi A1, it’s made with the same attention to detail as an A4 or Q5; you just pay for the privilege.
This model is definitely a premium product, so if you’re strapped for cash, you’ll have to shop elsewhere. But if you can afford one, the A1 is a great alternative to some of the more obvious luxury small cars out there. When we ran a 1.4 TFSI on our fleet, it proved very popular thanks to its perky engine, high-quality cabin, and strong comfort and refinement.
Models covered
The A1 was Audi’s first venture into the supermini market. It launched in 2010 and has been on sale for six years to date.
- • Audi A1 (2010-date) - Premium supermini is a fine second-hand choice, but comes at a price.
Audi A1
Prices from £7,500
History
The A1 debuted in three-door hatch guise in late 2010 with 1.2 TFSI or 1.4 TFSI petrol engines, or a 1.6 TDI diesel. All had manual gearboxes, and the 1.4 initially delivered 120bhp, but soon after a 182bhp edition with an S tronic dual-clutch auto arrived.
The 1.6 TDI claimed CO2 emissions of 105g/km at launch; in summer 2011, this was cut to 99g/km. Audi launched the five-door Sportback in spring 2012, just before a 2.0 TDI engine. The 138bhp 1.4 TFSI Cylinder on Demand (CoD) of 2013 shut down two of its four cylinders when cruising to cut CO2.
A November 2014 facelift brought styling tweaks, extra kit and cleaner engines to the A1 range, including a 1.0-litre TFSI three-cylinder petrol unit to replace the 1.2 TFSI. From this point on, the S tronic dual-clutch gearbox was available with any engine.
Audi A1 reviews
Audi A1 in-depth review
Audi A1 Sportback in-depth review
Audi A1 1.0 TFSI review
Audi A1 1.2 TFSI review
Audi A1 1.4 TFSI review
Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI review
Audi A1 1.6 TDI review
Audi A1 1.6 TDI Sport review
Audi A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI review
Audi A1 S-Line review
Audi A1 quattro review
Audi A1 long-term test review
Which one should I buy?
None of the engines is weak, and all offer decent economy; the 1.2 TFSI and 1.6 TDI provide better performance than you might expect. The seven-speed dual-clutch box is great to use as it provides manual control with fast automatic shifts and virtually no fuel consumption penalty. All A1s come with alloy wheels, electric windows, ESP, air-con, height-adjustable front seats and an eight-speaker CD/tuner.
Sport spec brings bigger 16-inch alloys, stiffer suspension, sports seats, a multifunction steering wheel and multimedia. S line spec adds 17-inch wheels, part-leather trim, LED interior lighting and black headlining. The S line carries a big premium over the SE and Sport; but the SE is well equipped and the comfiest edition, too, so it’s all you need.
Alternatives to the Audi A1
The MINI is the A1’s most obvious rival, yet it has a much smaller boot. Plus, the five-door arrived only recently, so prices remain high. The DS 3 plays the value card heavily, and it’s more stylish and spacious. There’s no five-door option, but you’ll get more for your money and a bigger boot.
Alfa Romeo’s MiTo is sporty and stylish, although it’s not very practical and suffers disappointing ergonomics. The Fiat 500 has universal appeal, while the Abarth editions are fast and distinctive. While it’s cute, fun to drive and reliable, the 500 comes only as a three-door, and practicality is poor thanks to its small boot and cramped back seats.
What to look for:
Interior
The A1’s cabin has the same upmarket feel as Audi’s bigger models, and it’s well laid out. Space is good in the front, but rear head and legroom are tight in three-door cars and access is awkward, too. The boot holds 270 litres – more than a MINI but less than a DS 3.
Doors
Rattles from the front doors point to the linkage for the door lock mechanism moving about. It’s simple enough to fix the issue, though; all you need is a cable tie.
Mirrors
Not all A1s came as standard with heated door mirrors, much to the apparent disappointment of owners, who have set up a campaign to get them retro-fitted.
Lights
On cars equipped with xenon lights, the Perspex headlamp housing can mark through overheating. This problem can be fixed under warranty.
Sealant
Instead of a spare wheel, there’s a compressor with sealant. Depending on which options the original owner selected, there may be no room for a spare wheel in the A1.
Running costs
Owners can choose between fixed or variable servicing. The former means a check every 9,000 miles/12 months, while the latter allows up to 19,000 miles and two years. Fixed services cost around £185; variable check-ups are around £290. Cars over three years old are eligible for fixed-price servicing, at £159 (interim) and £309 (major); it’s worth buying a car with a pre-paid servicing package.
Only diesel models have a cambelt, which needs to be replaced every five years or 75,000 miles; on later cars, this stretches to 140,000 miles. Dealers charge £731 for a new belt with a fresh water pump, or £572 without the pump; these prices drop to £599 and £455 respectively from a car’s third birthday.
Recalls
Even though the A1 is nearly six years old, it has yet to be recalled. Despite Audi’s extensive model range, the company has issued just nine recalls in total since the A1 arrived, although some affected more than one model.
The kinds of issues that have forced recalls on bigger Audis include fuel leaks, airbag glitches and glass roofs shattering or leaking. Some models have suffered from brake servo problems, leading to a loss of braking assistance. But the A1 has been immune to all this.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The A1 rose two places to 150th in our Driver Power 2016 survey, which is disappointing for a premium car that’s still relatively new. It managed two top 100 category ratings, for build quality (73rd) and performance (71st); 109th place for running costs, 128th for reliability and 106th for handling are poor.
from Featured Articles http://ift.tt/1TUeUn4
Comments
Post a Comment