the most affordable route to Audi ownership. From 18,910. Nobody invests that. 95% of A1 purchasers move up from Technik to Sport or S line cars. The first generation A1 was followed by the second eight years later. Similar to that vehicle, it successfully hides the fact that it shares a platform with the Seat Ibiza and VW Polo thanks to its unique proportions, aggressive posture, and desire to stand out. as in a Mini.
But don’t get used to it: Audi has already stated that this Mk2 A1 supermini will be the final one, and there won’t be a direct replacement. Instead, it’s likely that the next tiny, Audi-badged vehicle with an all-electric drivetrain will be built on the MEB platform, which also supports the ID.3 and practically every other battery-powered vehicle the VW Group wants to produce.
In This Article...
Is the Audi A1 pricey?
The Audi A1 Sportback is a great option if you want a compact, simple-to-drive vehicle without sacrificing quality. It is similar to a Faberg egg in that it is little, looks costly, and feels expensive. However, it does cost a significant sum to purchase, even though it is quite inexpensive to use once purchased.
Although vehicles like the Volkswagen Polo come close, the Seat Ibiza, and Ford Fiesta Vignale aren’t too far behind, it is actually the most upscale little car on the road.
The A1 has a stunning appearance. Consider the front end with the intakes. Even though many of the black plastic grilles on the Audi A1 Sportback are merely decorative, they at least give it a sportier appearance than the MINI hatchback or VW Polo. If you choose a high-end vehicle with massive alloy wheels and a striking two-tone paint job, it will look even better.
This is not to say that you must spend a lot of money on the most expensive vehicle to have an Audi A1 Sportback with a great interior. Every vehicle comes equipped with a dual-screen infotainment system and plenty of posh-feeling plastics that give the impression of being more upscale than most tiny hatchbacks. However, a few of the trimmings, particularly those on the doors, drag the side down a bit.
Additionally, the Audi A1 Sportback has a lot more space than the typical little family car. There is a ton of headroom up front, lots of seat flexibility for personal comfort, and enough capacity for two additional passengers to go along without feeling cramped in the back. Comparatively speaking, the boot is quite big, so you can easily fit some baggage or even a set of golf clubs within. If you fold the seats down, you can also fit a bike inside.
While Hollywood may not have made a film titled “Honey I Shrunk the Audi,” if it had, the Audi A1 Sportback would have been the star of the show.
However, it’s likely that you won’t be transporting bulky objects to and from the landfill in your Audi A1 Sportback. You’ll probably be rushing to and from town during rush hour, when the A1’s compact size, light controls, and good visibility make it easy to weave around traffic jams.
The three-cylinder 20 TFSI petrol variant is what you want if you spend a lot of time in town. However, there are a number of progressively more potent 30, 35, and 40 four-cylinder variants available that are better suited for longer distances and lengthy interstate drives. They’re all reasonably smooth and economical, although it would be nice to have a diesel-powered Audi A1 Sportback for extended cross-country drives.
Regarding lengthy trips, the Audi A1 Sportback’s optional automatic transmission eases the burden of extended periods spent behind the wheel, but it can be a little abrupt at low speeds. The Audi A1 Sportback isn’t as much fun to race down a quiet country road as the more engaging Ford Fiesta or MINI hatchback, despite having one of the slickest six-speed manual gearboxes available.
Few vehicles, however, perform as well as the Audi A1 Sportback if you’re seeking for an upscale little car with a roomy interior and an abundance of standard equipment.
Check out the most recent discounts for the Audi A1 Sportback to see how much you can save, or continue reading to learn more about the interior and features.
Is the Audi A1 TFSI a reliable vehicle?
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.
What distinguishes the Audi A1 from the Audi A1 Sportback?
The five-door, more functional variant of the three-door Audi A1 is the Audi A1 Sportback. It’s a little bit simpler to live with but lacks some of the sleek appearance of the three-door variant, but a large color selection and customization options help lessen the blow.
Although it also competes with high-spec variants of the Volkswagen Polo for buyers’ attention, its main competition is the MINI 5-door hatchback. As an upscale five-door supermini, it faces few natural competitors because vehicles like the DS 3 and the stylish Fiat 500 only have three doors.
The four-ringed emblem on the A1 Sportback’s nose may be its best selling point. The attractiveness of the Audi logo has never been in short supply, and with the A1 Sportback, the company has condensed its upscale reputation into its tiniest package to date. This makes up in large part for the fact that the Polo is more useful and the MINI is more enjoyable to drive.
Nevertheless, the A1 Sportback retains a significant amount of its value on the used market due to the enormous demand for small, inexpensive to operate Audis. If you purchase a new one using financing, it has the advantage of lowering your monthly payments.
Although there is one diesel type, most models of compact hatchbacks like this are powered by gasoline. The 1.6-liter TDI engine has the best fuel efficiency at 76.3 mpg, but even though CO2 emissions are less than 100 g/km, all versions still have to pay 140 in road tax annually.
What distinguishes the Audi A1 from the Audi A1 S Line?
When compared to the cheaper Technik and Sport variants, the A1’s S line receives some useful equipment enhancements. Rear parking sensors, a package of LED headlights and interior illumination, manual lumbar adjustment for the front seats, and all of these things are included.
Why does the Audi A1 have problems?
Despite the Audi A1’s premium price, it appears that owners haven’t had a premium ownership experience. Our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey over the years that it was on sale highlighted concerns with the automobile encountered by owners, and there are a few frequent flaws to watch out for as well. However, there are no obvious issues that would make us hesitate to purchase the vehicle used. Just something to keep in mind when making purchases.
How reliable is the Audi A1?
The Audi A1 may be kept in good condition by performing routine maintenance. For older models up to 15 years old, the brand offers a service plan that costs monthly over 24 months and covers two services during that period. A 500 upfront payment option is also available.
Because the newest Mk1 A1s are from 2018 and the original guarantee was just three years, the majority won’t be covered under warranty any more. As a result, a select few may still be covered by warranty if the owner purchased an extended package, but don’t bet on finding one.
Are there any common problems or things to look out for?
The front doors of the Audi A1 sometimes rattle (a cable tie will remedy this), hot xenon lights can harm the light housings, and the electronic windows frequently stick. The 1.4-liter petrol model’s turbocharger problems, which could be expensive to replace, may be the biggest concern. Watch out for smoke coming from the exhaust, as this is a clear indication that the turbo has failed.
Is running an Audi A1 inexpensive?
The Audi A1 is a wonderful option for those who appreciate outstanding fuel economy due to its compact size and effective engine lineup. The MINI and DS 3 are the class’s most frugal vehicles, albeit the most efficient A1 still trails them in terms of performance.
Since the very newest models were sold in 2018, all Audis come with the same three-year or 60,000-mile guarantee that you get with a Volkswagen Polo. This means that no first-generation cars are still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Audi offers fixed-price servicing, but because it’s a premium brand, maintaining an Audi A1 will cost a little more than maintaining, say, a Ford Fiesta.
Is the 1.4 TFSI Audi A1 dependable?
Additionally, some owners have mentioned that the Bluetooth system occasionally behaves improperly, preventing you from connecting your phone to the vehicle. Several minor electrical issues have occurred, but nothing severe.
Is a used Audi A1 hatchback reliable?
According to the most current reliability surveys, the A1 performed better than almost all of its rivals. In fact, in our most recent one, the A1 placed in the middle of the small car class, which was an unexpectedly disappointing outcome considering the A1 typically places in the top three. Out of 31 manufacturers, Audi came in 21st overall.
What does TFSI on the Audi A1 mean?
The turbo fuel stratified injection engine is Audi’s most often used engine (TFSI). When gasoline is pressure-injected into the engine’s combustion chamber to provide an immediate charge, this is referred to as the turbo aspect.
The TFSI engines’ direct fuel injection combined with turbo or supercharging technology results in a powerful ride while using up to 15% less gasoline than a V6 engine.
So how does it function? Direct fuel injection improves efficiency and responsiveness by eliminating heat from the intake air, which raises compression and eliminates knock.
What distinguishes the Audi A1 30 TFSI from the 25 TFSI?
As of the time this article was published, we did not have any economy data for this model, but we would anticipate it to be slightly more frugal than the 30 TFSI, which is a more potent vehicle that gets 57.6 to 58.9 mpg.
Although the new 35 TFSI engine’s performance numbers are unknown, we do know that it has 150 horsepower, which is more than enough power to transport a family of four or, in a pinch, five. It has a punchy and smooth engine. The most comfortable suspension is found in SE’s base trim, which also comes with a ton of safety gear as standard.
The most potent A1 sports a 197bhp engine and a sporty chassis with strong suspension. It isn’t the most cozy or well-made variant, but it will undoubtedly be the fastest, at least until an S1 version is released.
It is not a smart idea to pair the sportiest and most costly trim with the slowest engine. Upgrades worth making should at least reach the 30 TFSI.
- The 2018 Audi A1 was only available as a five-door Sportback (prior models also came in three- and five-door versions), with prices starting at 18,450. At debut, only the 30 TFSI engine. SE, Sport, S line, and S line Competition trims are available (40 TFSI only). S line Style Edition and S line Contrast Edition are two additional new special editions.
Understanding Audi A1 car names
A1
These show how many pieces of basic gear an A1 contains. There are three trim levels overall, with the 40 TFSI model having access to the fourth.
The two-digit figure represents the engine’s horsepower, while the letters TFSI that follow stand for the gasoline engines made by Audi.
Audi A1 Engines
There are no diesel or hybrid engines available for the Audi A1 at this time. They all include a particle filter to reduce pollution and are turbocharged for more power.
Unlike other automakers, Audi identifies its engines with a two-digit number rather than by their horsepower. Although not directly, the number is related to the engine’s power output. The two-digit power identifier climbs or falls in increments of five depending on which band the power output falls in. Power outputs are organized into bands. According to Audi, the approach was chosen because engine sizes are no longer reflected in power outputs.
For instance, 30 is applicable to power outputs in the range of 108 to 128 horsepower. The 1.0-liter 30 TFSI engine in the A1 generates 116 horsepower. The 95 horsepower engine in band 25 TFSI is the band below that.
The 30 TFSI is efficient, but this was only possible because the gear ratios were lengthened so that it could travel 70 mph in second gear. Due to this, it seems quite slow, and changing gear quickly is necessary to get the stated 0-62 mph pace.
The S tronic automatic variants of the A1 are typically a little quicker and more efficient than the manual models.
What variations of the Audi A1 are there?
- 5dr 25 TFSI Technik
- Technik 30 TFSI 110 5dr.
- 5dr 25 TFSI Sport
- 5dr 30 TFSI 110 Sport
- Technik 5dr S-Tronic 30 TFSI 110.
- 5dr 25 TFSI Sport
- Sport 5dr S Tronic 25 TFSI.
- 5dr 25 TFSI S Line.
Better: the Audi A1 or A3?
The A1 is your best option if you’re seeking for the most cheap way to drive an Audi. It is significantly less expensive than the A3, but its operating costs are roughly comparable.
If space isn’t a huge concern and you conduct the majority of your driving in the city, it’s the best option.
However, the Audi A3 is the best option if you’re searching for a vehicle that is more suited for a family. Additionally, it feels more luxurious, which is excellent if you want a little more luxury.
Is Black Edition an improvement over S-Line?
You’ve heard the saying “all shirt, no pants,” right? Well, when you possess an Audi S series, you’ll encounter accusations of that nature. Although it appears fast, it is actually no faster than a standard vehicle with the same engine.
The 40 TDI diesel we discussed earlierthe one that achieves fuel economy of more than 50 mpgdoes trade off performance for fuel efficiency. It accelerates to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds, which is three seconds slower than the S6 diesel and twice as long as the 600 PS RS6.
While S line models have reduced suspension, they lack the quattro all-wheel drive found on S and RS models as well as the smart differentials and sizable brakes that make these sportier variants so capable on a winding country road.
Sport is indicated by the S (in the Audi S range). The line simply states that it is a trim level as opposed to the speedier S versions.
The exterior of Black Edition automobiles is matte black rather than chrome, as suggested by the name, which retains the sporty appearance of S line cars.
For greater efficiency, fuel can be squirted straight into the cylinder using TFSI, which stands for turbo fuel stratified injection. By taking the heat out of the intake air, the fuel cools the cylinder, increasing the compression ratio. According to reports, this will increase fuel efficiency by 15%.