We tested the new Audi A1 Sportback: a buying guide to choose well

After fully testing the range of the new Audi A1 Sportback, we can tell you in more detail how good it is… and guide you when buying so you can choose the version that interests you most.

The new Audi A1 Sportback range is now complete. You have TFSI 3-cylinder engine versions with 95 and 116 CV, an interesting 1.5 4-cylinder with 150 CV, the sporty 2.0 with 200 CV (remember, all petrol). And you can choose between variants with manual or S tronic gearbox, four trim levels, an interesting Epic Edition special series…

Prices start from 20,760 euros for the basic version up to 36,370 euros for the most powerful and best equipped. But… What has really changed in this new generation of the Audi A1? Does it offer more quality? How does it perform? Which versions are the most interesting? What would be the “masterful purchase”?

We got behind the wheel of the range during the national press presentation, where we were able to cover a good number of kilometres with all versions except the 25 TFSI, the only one not available. And these are our impressions. But first, a video of the new Audi A1 Sportback to whet your appetite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsVuzLHOYwM&feature=youtu.be

The second generation of the “smallest” of the Audi

We already told you about the main novelties of the second generation of the Audi A1 Sportback, which went on sale in our market in October 2018, initially in its 30 TFSI version. Here we discussed the start of sales of the Audi A1 and its prices.

To put things in context, a couple of things are worth keeping in mind. First, the new Audi A1 replaces§h30# with this Sportback version the two body versions of the previous generation, the 3-door A1 and the 5-door with the same name. And it does so with great success.

The range is simplified by eliminating the 3-door versions, which have little appeal in this segment. And they do so with a new A1 Sportback that is just as sporty or more so than the previous 3-door… and much more versatile and practical than its 5-door predecessor. We’ll see why later.

More things. The base platform is what is internally known within the Volkswagen group as MQB A0. This means that the Audi A1 Sportback shares its mechanical base with the Volkswagen Polo, or with the Seat Arona, to name but a few. Oh! And it is all “Made in Spain”, as it is manufactured at the SEAT factory in Martorell.

We are therefore facing a completely new car, which gains slightly in length to just exceed 4 metres by barely 3 centimetres, keeping the width of 1.74 m, and reducing the height to 1.41 m.

The design change is, as you can see in the photos and video, radical. Much more aggressive, much sportier. And also more customisable: up to 10 exterior colours, with two for the roof, and the possibility of choosing different colours for various body elements, with very eye-catching wheel combinations.

A new generation that makes a significant leap not only aesthetically. Material quality, driving aids, infotainment systems, interior presentation… No one could say this is the “baby Audi”, except in terms of size.

And you will hardly find alternatives if you are looking for a car in this segment that can boast true premium status. There are some, such as the MINI, which you could say plays in a different league, exploiting the strengths of customisation, design and exclusivity more, without reaching the day-to-day practicality of the A1.

The Audi A1 Sportback inside

The answer to this question, which many ask when buying a generalist compact and seeing that for a similar price they can get an Audi A1, has a lot to do with price. But also with everything related to interior space.

Starting with the latter, you cannot expect the new Audi A1 Sportback, with its barely 4 metres, to offer a cabin like that of a Ford Focus, to give one example of the generalist compacts we like most.

But you should know that it gains a lot of space compared to the previous generation. In the front, kilometres pass more comfortably thanks to greater width. Not only in terms of space, but also because the dashboard design is not oppressive at all. And in the back, important centimetres are gained. Okay, not so much as to consider the A1 Sportback as a car for frequent long journeys with adults in the rear seats. But tape measure in hand, the advance over the previous generation is noticeable.

Its boot does significantly extend its operating range, gaining 65 litres, and placing itself, with its 335 litres, among the best of the cars it competes with in size, such as the aforementioned Volkswagen Polo. It has regular, usable shapes. And it also has a modular floor that can be positioned at different heights.

Since we are inside, we cannot miss the opportunity to talk about build quality and interior presentation. The fit is very good, and the premium feel is there. It is also noticeable in the placement and feel of the controls and the touchscreen when operated. We like that conventional buttons are kept for the main functions.

We have not yet seen any unit of the new Audi A1 Sportback in the most basic versions, where the hard plastics, which predominate over padded materials, might be more noticeable. But the overall impression it gives with the top trims is magnificent.

Equipment of the Audi A1 Sportback

This is especially so in the best-equipped versions. But note that the Audi A1 Sportback is not poorly served from the entry level.

To begin with, the instrumentation is always digital, with a 10.2-inch screen. We have not had the chance to check its definition and the difference in available functions and configuration possibilities compared to the magnificent Audi virtual cockpit fitted to all the units we tested. But at a price ranging between 175 and 190 euros, depending on the version, it is one of the options we recommend not to pass up.

The basic version of the A1 Sportback includes the MMI Radio system, Bluetooth, speed limiter, automatic emergency braking system Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning and 15-inch alloy wheels.

And from here on is where it’s worth considering Audi’s commercial policy, which, as you move up the trim levels, adds equipment with significant savings compared to what it would cost to fit those elements separately.

For example, for 1,400 euros more than the base version, the Advanced is definitely worth it. It adds MMI Radio plus, mobile phone interface, black panel interior trim, multimedia system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, and two elements that make the A1 look much better: the contrast-colour roof and 16-inch alloy wheels.

From here you already have two personalisation possibilities, which add no functional elements. The S line adds 1,300 euros over the Advanced. They include 17-inch wheels, sport suspension and S line exterior styling. From the S line you can step up to the Black Line for an additional 1,200 euros. Here, the 17-inch wheels are signed Audi Sport, and it adds black mirrors, darkened rear windows and a black styling pack.

Audi also launches the limited Epic Edition, based on the Black Line trim. For an extra 1,700 euros you get the most “exclusive” A1, with darkened headlights and tail lights, metallic paint, 18-inch wheels and various styling elements.

Our recommendation is to opt for the Advanced and go for some of the optional packs. The Tech pack is worth it: for 990 euros it adds the Audi virtual cockpit, multifunction steering wheel, rear parking aid and preparation for the higher-end multimedia system, MMI Navigation plus. You save 20% compared to its individual price.

The engines of the Audi A1 Sportback: yes, 3 cylinders is enough

With the range now complete, and setting aside the A1 40 TFSI with 200 CV as the performance and sporty version comparable in feel to the very Audi S1 of the previous generation, the reasonable doubt may lie between the two versions of the 1.0 three-cylinder engine, or between the 1.0 with 116 CV and the 1.5 with 150 CV.

The answer is easy, even without having tried the 25 TFSI with 95 CV. The more powerful one costs less than 1,200 euros more. But you don’t just get a car with more acceleration and recovery capacity, i.e. better performance and more driving pleasure.

The 30 TFSI with 116 CV switches from the 25 TFSI’s five-speed gearbox to a six-speed one, which is also noticeable. And in real use, it not only won’t consume more than the entry-level A1 in the range. In fact, if you spend time on the road or drive with the car loaded, you will even use less. Another advantage is that you can opt for the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, always recommended despite its surcharge of around 1,900 euros.

The A1 30 TFSI is therefore a perfectly recommendable option for its price-to-performance ratio. It is not the most refined 3-cylinder when you push the rev counter, but the noise never becomes annoying. Those who dislike it can always resort to the function that artificially amplifies the engine sound through the speakers, when the “dynamic” mode is selected on the Audi drive select.

As for consumption, it closely follows how much you ask of the engine. If you drive calmly or normally, it can use very little, below 7 l/100 km. If you demand everything it can give, you will be closer to 8.5 l/100 km.

So is the 1.5 of the A1 35 TFSI, now with four cylinders and 150 CV, worth it? Proportionally, you won’t find a car as fast as you’d expect from its power, quite the opposite of the 116 CV 3-cylinder, which goes much further than you initially expect. Its consumption will surprise you: it can really use very little, even matching the 3-cylinder under certain conditions of use.

Our recommendation is to choose the 35 TFSI if you are clear that you want maximum refinement in use, or if the extra performance over the 30 TFSI matters to you, whether because you like driving briskly on winding roads, or because you frequently use roads where overtaking is needed or you often travel loaded. For the rest, we would invest the price difference between the A1 30 TFSI and the 35 TFSI in fitting the S tronic gearbox to the “small” engine.

As for the dynamic behaviour of the new A1 Sportback, nothing unexpected. It is a very pleasant and easy car to drive, agile and manoeuvrable on winding roads, yet stable and with great composure for its size on fast roads.

You can choose the optional sport suspension without fear of comfort being compromised, something that cannot be said if you combine it with the more “extreme” tyres, 18-inch wheels with very low profile. But that makes little sense unless we are talking about the 40 TFSI. And for that, getting down to business, the best option is the electronically controlled damping suspension. You get a true “GTI”.

Prices of the Audi A1 Sportback: from 20,760 €

These are the prices of the new Audi A1 Sportback in its basic trim versions.

Image Gallery Audi A1 Sportback

Image gallery Audi A1 Sportback

Technical specifications of this car

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