When you look past the design’s ornamental aspects, the Audi A1 is actually somewhat boxy while having a dynamic appearance. In terms of interior and boot space, it compares favorably to competitors because it is bigger than before. Its dimensions are 4,029 mm long and 1,940 mm broad, which is somewhat less than the 4,053 mm length of the VW Polo. The A1 Citycarver is 76mm taller and extends the length by 15mm overall.
In This Article...
Is the Audi A1 too compact?
Buyers should keep in mind that the Audi A1 is a compact premium vehicle; anyone anticipating ample space to spread out in the back will probably be dissatisfied. Even yet, the interior space is superior to that of its MINI archrival and is not quite as congested as one might assume.
Size
Due to its length of just under four meters, the Audi A1 is easy to park in confined town center areas. Additionally, because it is also rather narrow, owners shouldn’t worry about their lovely bodywork getting scratched in multi-story buildings or supermarket parking lots (at only 1,746mm wide).
Interestingly, there isn’t much of a size difference between the A1’s three-door and five-door variations. The Sportback is only slightly taller than the three-door, but all vehicles have the same 2,469mm wheelbase and similar height and width specifications (1,746m vs 1,740mm).
Leg room, head room & passenger space
In an A1, you want to be in the front. Although the back seats are already very small, when the optional sports bucket seats are installed, the room gets significantly smaller.
UPSIZE: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI Sport S tronic
It is more expensive than the A1 but offers greater room. So, is the extra money worth it?
It might be challenging to tell a double act apartthink of the Chuckle Brothers or Ant and Dec. Although the two hatchbacks that make up this test’s hatchback double act appear to be relatively similar, there are some notable variances.
The Mini is the only other direct competitor for the Audi A1, a tiny luxury automobile that delivers many of the amenities found in the brand’s larger and more expensive versions. The Audi A3, in comparison, is a larger, more accommodating model that competes with cars like the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A Class.
In comparison to the A1, the A3 has a greater selection of engines, including a plug-in hybrid model. However, we’re testing both vehicles here with the 35 TFSI gasoline engine from Audi and in Sport trim. So, is the larger A3 worth the extra money, or should you save a little money and get the A1?
Audi A1: Is it smaller than A3?
All Audi models have a pretty similar appearance, however we’d say that these two are easier to distinguish from models farther up the chain. The variations will vary considerably depending on the model. While the A3 is offered as a Sportback, Saloon, A3 Cabriolet, and performance model, the new Audi A1 is only available as a Sportback (we’ll concentrate on that type here).
The front-differences end’s between the headlamps and the rest of the front end are probably the most obvious; following a recent makeover, both now feature a honeycomb grille pattern.
The Audi A1 Sportback is shorter than the Audi A3 Sportback and the A3 Saloon when viewed from the side. In comparison to the Sportback’s hatchback appearance, the Saloon’s roofline is more smoothly curved. Additionally, the A3 has larger 17-inch 7.5J “5-arms” design alloy wheels whereas the entry-level A1 has smaller 15-inch “5-arm” design alloy wheels.
The A1 appearance still communicates luxury even at a lesser price point “Premium, but with a sportier edge over the A3 thanks to its sleek curves. The A3 (and the A3 Saloon in particular) seems more professional, demonstrating Audi’s commitment to the “With this range, the compact premium executive market.
Both vehicles are stunning. We believe that the A3 best captures the premium image of the Audi brand. There isn’t much of an aesthetic difference between versions like the A5 and A6, however you can tell which is the more upscale model between the A1 and A3.
Which Audi model is the smallest?
The Audi A1 Sportback features plenty of modest storage areas, enough for four tall adults, and a well-designed boot. Only your fifth passenger will be unhappy about the cramped conditions.
Passenger space
Although the Audi A1 Sportback is the brand’s smallest vehicle, it provides enough for four tall passengers, including you.
Finding a comfortable position behind the wheel of the A1 won’t be a problem because both it and the driver’s seat come with a broad range of adjustment as standard. The driver’s seat can be adjusted for a wonderful view outside or lowered closer to the ground for a sportier sensation. If your passenger wants to do this as well, you must get a Sport model.
In addition to the most basic SE models, every Audi A1 Sportback has lumbar support for both front seats that may be adjusted to provide a little more support for your lower back during lengthy trips.
The Audi A1 Sportback has front and rear doors as standard, unlike some tiny cars, so you don’t have to get out to let passengers climb into the back. Once on board, tall travelers will discover that there is enough headroom and legroom to be comfortable, even if there is another tall passenger in the front.
Not as great is the middle seat. There is less headroom overall, less legroom due to the front seats’ back indents no longer aligning with your knees, and its cushions feel harsher than those of the outer two seats. If you attempt to transport three individuals in the back at once, you may anticipate the elbow room to feel somewhat constrained. There isn’t a central armrest for the passengers in the back, even if there are just two of them.
The Audi A1 Sportback’s back seat can accommodate a child seat reasonably easily, but you must first remove several plastic coverings in order to access the Isofix anchor points. Due to the A1’s rather low roof, if you’re tall, you’ll need to stoop down somehow to buckle a child.
Storage space
The reduced storage spaces in the Audi A1 Sportback maintain the huge car sense. All of the door pockets can accommodate large water bottles, there is a sizeable glovebox, and there are three cupholders located between the front seats.
Additionally, there is a convenient sunken tray with a USB port in front of the gearstick that will prevent your phone from sliding around as you turn, and the front seats have seatback pockets designed like those on airplanes with a soft lining that won’t harm an iPad screen.
Boot space
There are 335 liters of additional boot capacity in the new Audi A1 Sportback, which is over a 25% increase over the previous model. In practice, this means that you can pack for your journey to the airport with an additional compact luggage.
In addition to its size, the Audi’s large boot entrance and load area’s square design make it simple to load, and since the boot floor is movable, there is no need to worry about a lip. If you need to remove the parcel shelf, there is even enough under here to do so.
The A1 boasts one of the most useful trunks of any small car when you take into account the various hooks and tethers for securing luggage and hanging groceries. A 1,090-liter cargo bay is made available by folding the Audi’s back seats in a two-way split if you need to transport larger items. That’s somewhat smaller than the 1,125-litre boot of the VW Polo, but big enough to transport a bicycle with its wheels attached.
You can easily push bulky boxes right up behind the front seats without any effort because there isn’t a bothersome step behind the back seats either.
Audi A1: A family vehicle?
The extra set of doors gives the A1 more weapons in its arsenal. However, don’t expect a roomy family vehicle; although access to the back is now better, it is still pretty small for adults. Some people may be turned off by the exorbitant price, but after spending some time inside and thinking about the top-notch technology underneath, you’ll see where your money is going.
Even though the Audi A1 5-door Sportback is still a small vehicle with limited utility, having an additional pair of rear doors gives it more versatility. It is now a practical choice for households with young children. There should be something for everyone thanks to Audi’s extensive selection of turbocharged and stop-start diesel and gasoline engines.
Although the A1 5-door Sportback from Audi is slightly larger and taller than its 3-door brother, there isn’t much of a stylistic cost. The dramatic LED lighting up front and back as well as the sharp creases have been carried over. Additionally, a variety of new alloy wheel designs in sizes ranging from 15 to 18 inches are added to the A1 5-door Sportback. The elegant inside features the same rational layout and high-quality materials throughout, as you would expect from an Audi vehicle.
The Audi A1 5-door Sportback handles well, too. Its small dimensions and light weight make it nimble around turns, and the straight, snappy steering is well-weighted, making it simple to drive both in and around towns and on highways. The standard electronic differential that helps grip when necessary improves driving even further. However, the Audi A1 5-door Sportback has a somewhat stiff ride, which gets pretty uncomfortable if you choose the S Line or Black Edition variants.
Diesel enthusiasts can choose between 104 bhp 1.6 TDI and 141 bhp 2.0 TDI engines, both of which are powerful and smooth but lack a dynamic feel. The 1.2 TFSI with 85 horsepower and the 1.4 TFSI with 120 bhp, 138 bhp, or 182 bhp are both available in petrol, and both may be chosen with a twin-clutch seven-speed S tronic gearbox. The character of the A1 5-door Sportback fits these engines’ eagerness to rev and howl much more than the diesels do.
Is a polo the same as an Audi A1?
Both brands are known for being enjoyable to drive. The RS3 and its absurd power come to mind when you hear the term “Audi,” while the Golf Type R comes to mind when you think of sporty hatchbacks. However, how do these two compact cars move?
First off, both cars have outstanding handling. Both feel fine on the highway and are nimble in urban areas. Here, there is a tie.
However, the situation is different in terms of engines. The A1’s four gasoline engines perform admirably. The less expensive variants, such the 30 TFSI, can accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour (mpg) in 9.5 seconds. You can choose engines that are more focused on performance, such the 40 TFSi. Although it is faster, it gets less mileage and emits more CO2.
The entry-level Polos, on the other hand, are a little underwhelming. Both 1.0-liter petrol engines, which have 65 and 80 horsepower, are underpowered, thus overtaking requires using a lot of force.
Don’t bother with the less expensive engines; the turbocharged 1.0-litre engine is considerably superior. Power-wise, Audi wins hands down, and it also features a superior automatic transmission. The seven-speed automatic transmission in the Polo shifts erratically at low speeds; the A1 is more reliable. The A1 sports a fantastic six-speed manual transmission, but the Polo only has a five-speed.
Simply simply, the A1’s suspension is superior. On the highway, especially with the superb cruise control, it is far more relaxing than the Polo in terms of comfort. There is a difference, even though it is not very noticeable.
The Audi A1: A good car?
The Audi A1 is a fantastic premium little car with superb comfort, good electronics, and strong engines. Regardless of whether you select the chic three-door model or the roomier five-door Sportback, it is also quite practical. The exterior, interior, additional equipment, and minor engine improvements were revised in 2015. With a sharper appearance and more technology, including a digital speedometer and a more intelligent infotainment system, the second generation debuted in 2018.
Finding a used A1 that fits your demands, driving style, and price range should be simple because Audi offers a variety of customization options, including choices for upholstery, seats, and paint finishes.
The new Audi A1 is it larger?
Even the smallest Audi is larger than before. And it’s furious. really irate According to what we’ve been informed, the three slits above the massive grille are a tribute to the Sport Quattroa of 1984, with which the A1 shares just the four rings on its nose. Maybe cynical marketing is the cause of its ire.
Anyway, the new platform is what gives this size.
the same “MQB A0” component that supports the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza, and Arona. Almost six centimeters longer and three centimeters wider than the vehicle it replaces, the new A1 is about the same height. There are a remarkable nine centimeters more on the wheelbase, which adds 335 liters to the boot and a few millimeters to the back legroom. Since we sat in the rear, we can attest that, barring unusually lengthy legs, you will fit.
Naturally, shared engines exist as well. The first three are all gasoline, and none of them come with Quattro AWD. at least for now. The smallest engine has three cylinders and 1.0 liters, and it has a choice of 94 or 114 horsepower (the latter will probably be the most popular engine in the UK). These will be branded 25 and 30 TFSI in keeping with Audi’s confusing naming philosophy, which essentially goes, “the bigger the number, the more you want it.”
The 1.5-liter, 148-bhp engine in the 35 TFSI boasts cylinder deactivation, which enables it to turn off two of its four cylinders when operating under low load for better fuel efficiency. Up until the impending S1 (or RS1? We can only hope…), the A1’s quickest and most potent model, the auto-only 40 TFSI, boasts a reassuringly robust 197 horsepower from its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine (a derivative of the one used in fast VWs, Skodas and Seats). We tested each of these engines in different VAG products, and none of them failed. good tidings