AUDI A1

When Audi decided to join the small hatch set, it went in at the premium end of the market with the A1 to take on the likes of the MINI, DS3 and Alfa Romeo MiTo. The A1 condensed everything that Audi customers loved into a smaller package and it even came with some aluminium exterior panels to keep weight down and mimic the construction of the flagship A8 saloon and R8 sportscar. Its premium image meant A1 prices were steeper than an equivalent Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo, but the Audi justified this with a cabin that feels a very definite step up in quality. Audi’s A1 rival for the MINI, DS3 and Alfa Romeo MiTo may have been a while in coming to replace the ground-breaking A1, but it more than made up for it in the quality it offered buyers. Rather than simply lift parts from the existing A3 small hatch or elsewhere in the Volkswagen parts bin, Audi looked to its flagship A8 for inspiration. It’s why some of the switches and buttons you find in the A1 are the same as the A8’s, imparting a sense of solidity and eminent class that not even a MINI with its BMW background gets close to. The same high class approach was applied to the A1’s equipment levels, which were generous even in the entry-point SE model. It has alloy wheels, air conditioning, a stereo with MP3 connectivity and plenty of safety equipment. There is also a natty 6.5-inch infotainment screen that set the A1 apart from its competition at launch. Sport and S Line models rounded out the model range at launch. The Sport added, firmer suspension, a Bluetooth connection and Driver’s Information System. A 1.0-litre TFSI engine was added in early 2015 with 95PS and this smaller engine feels very peppy and delivers 99g/km Co2 emissions and around 60mpg. All A1s are nimble to drive in town and are stable on the motorway. However, you will find the A1 offers more cabin and boot space than a MINI, making it a very strong contender in the small hatch stakes.