Audi A1 Tested June 2010

Rating Quick Summary Recommended. The Audi A1 has supreme build quality, luxury and technology to match the Mini - and a proper sized boot. But the styling is conservative and driving experience uninspiring.

Full Road Test

With record sales figures and possibly the strongest product line-up on sale today, the four-ring folk within the VW group can seemingly do no wrong. When Audi entered the supercar market with the R8 it silenced almost all critics. It was an astonishingly capable first effort. No doubt Audi hopes its new baby - the A1 - will follow with similar acclaim.

For starters this isn't its first effort in the small car market. Back in 1974 Audi launched a small two door hatch called the 50. A year later the same car was rebadged as a VW Polo. Crucially cheaper, it massively outsold the more expensive 50. Thirty two years later there is a component-sharing deja-vu taking place; the A1 is based upon VW's fifth generation Polo - the current 'Car of the Year'.

Solely available as a front-wheel drive three-door hatch, the A1 has BMW's Mini, Alfa's Mito and Fiat's 500 in its sights. Looking more like a sturdy coupe than a hatch in profile thanks to a TT-esque roof silhouette there is a line from angry headlamps right along each side and around the bootlid. Don't come here expecting anything retro. Like Citroen's DS3, the A1 isn't relying on nostalgia trips for sales.

What this four-seater does bring to the table is that ubiquitous Audi DNA of reassuringly heavy doors, tactile controls and sheer comfort. Audi claims the dash is modelled on aircraft wings (with 'jet engine' air vents) and the centre console around a ship's stern, but in reality it's not that flamboyant. By pilfering from its portfolio of switchgear and flagship tech, it feels like being behind the wheel of an A3, A4 or A6. Which is no bad thing. This is something manufacturers have been trying to achieve for years in the blossoming premium small car market.

The A1 will be available with one diesel and two petrol four-cylinder engines. Order a diesel and you'll have to settle for manual transmission, but you can get the glorious S tronic 7-speed twin-clutch 'box on the petrols. This not only speeds up acceleration, but also improves the mpg. Our choice is the significantly spritely 1.4 TFSI.

Despite featuring an almost identical electric differential (that uses an ESP system to reduce wheel slip) as with VW's Golf GTI, the Audi's rear suspension isn't the same calibre as the Mini's. Audi appears to have dialled it in for passenger comfort and maturity more than out-and-out frisky frolics.

This is not a risky car for Audi and it is not the most exciting car in its class, but what the A1 does do is bring typical understated style and luxury to a car under four metres long. Four adults can travel inside without being escapologists, and there's a 270-litre boot to house their gear. Fold the seats down and there's 920-litres of space to fill.

The bottom line is that, judging by current badge snobbery and desirability, the A1 will sell handsomely. It can be ordered with LED running and rear lights, a 60 gigabyte infotainment system and 14-speaker Bose audio system - the kind of toys rarely seen on cars of this stature.

Breakdown Styling Certainly not retro and certainly not flamboyant, but the A1?s stocky coupe proportions are distinctly unisex and won?t offend anyone. LED running and rear lights are the jewels in the crown. Optional two-tone roof pillars mimic Mini and Skoda Fabia. Handling Within the city the A1 feels well damped and nimble enough, but push it on open roads and the signature Audi understeer becomes apparent. The electronic diff helps, but it's no 500 Abarth or Cooper. Comfort Audi prides itself on quiet cabins, and the A1 is no different. There's an air of maturity that belies its size. Quality + reliability Audi's trump card is its reassuring robustness and sumptuous interiors. The design, steering wheel and materials feel like you could be sat inside an A4 or A6 - which is no bad thing. Performance The 7-speed S tronic provides faster acceleration and better mpg. It makes sense for urban drivers wanting to conserve their clutch leg. Fastest A1 is 122ps 1.4 TFSI S tronic but expect a hot S1 to be in the pipeline. Roominess It's a four-seater for four real adults. A 6ft 3-inch passenger can sit behind a 6ft 3-inch driver with just enough legroom. Tall rear passengers will find their hair generates static from the sloping rear roof pillars though. Running costs With best in class fuel economy, decent predicted residual values, and a 5 year / 50k mile service plan for only £250, the A1 is sure to attract would-be Mini consumers. Value for money A high entry-level price for the supermini sector is justified by a decent level of kit - alloy wheels, air conditioning and remote locking are all standard. Stereo / Sat nav We like the manually deployable 6.5-inch screen which emerges from the dash. MMI 3G+ is straight from the £60k+ A8 and 465watt 14-speaker Bose system (both optional) but decent 6-speaker stereo and iPod connection standard.

Need to know Replacement Date: 2015 We like: 1) Brings supermini luxury to new levels 2) At last, a supermini with a real-world (270 litre) boot 3) Multi Media Interface technology stolen from A8 We don't like: 1) Cockpit high quality but a bit 'safe' 2) Not as agile or lairy as Mini 3) That it will sell regardless of what we say Best and worst: Most fun: 1.4 TFSI Most sensible: 1.6 TDI Worst: none