Audi A1 Sportback Reviews/Advice

[JRC1]

The other half has been offered one of these amongst other cars as a lease car for work.

She wants something small that's easy to park and that still has enough space for equipment (hence the 5d sportback rather than just the standard 3d hatchback). Also needs to return good MPG and be comfortable for long journeys.

I notice the 2.0 diesel version quotes 68MPG and the 1.6d even better at 74MPG.

Are these comfortable enough as a long journey/commuter car or should she be considering the new A3/Leon instead?

As above, she wants something that is small and likes the idea of the A1 over the A3/Leon size but I'm worried the A1 is a more 'nip to the shops' type car rather than a 25-30,000 mile a year type car...

Any advice/recommendations are appreciated

James

[SteBrown91]

You can't get the 2.0 diesel anymore they never continued it with the facelift

[JRC1]

SteBrown91 said:

You can't get the 2.0 diesel anymore they never continued it with the facelift

Interesting - thanks.

Do you know why out of interest?

[Drive Blind]

Never driven an A1 but I have driven an FR Ibiza with the 2l diesel engine.
It wouldn't be my first choice for motorway work. The ride was too hard, too 'busy' for mway work, and that was on 16's.

I'd assume an S-Line or similar A1 on 17's or 18's would be worse.

[daydotz]

I owned a sport on 17inch wheels it was perfectly comfortable you can always down spec the suspension sport>SE S-line>sport

The face lift is ment to be more comfortable overall

[SteBrown91]

JRC1 said:

Interesting - thanks.

Do you know why out of interest?

Not really a big seller, they replaced it with the 1.4 tsi with cylinder on demand.

Most A1 buyers want the premium look and status and don't care about the engine, hence why most are 1.6 diesels and 1.2 tsi's

[JRC1]

SteBrown91 said:

Not really a big seller, they replaced it with the 1.4 tsi with cylinder on demand.

Most A1 buyers want the premium look and status and don't care about the engine, hence why most are 1.6 diesels and 1.2 tsi's

Is the 1.6 diesel perceived to be a good engine?

I don't think a tsi will be the most ideal choice for the amount of miles she is going to accumulate. Plus my old mans Golf 1.4 tsi just went bang on 35k so my views on small engined tsi's at the minute are somewhat skeptical

[JRC1]

daydotz said:

I owned a sport on 17inch wheels it was perfectly comfortable you can always down spec the suspension sport>SE S-line>sport

The face lift is ment to be more comfortable overall

Thanks. Yeah I mean she doesn't have to get the sport. Comfort is key over sport so the S line or SE may be better alternatives?

It's mainly whether the car is a good choice for a lot of miles. I know it wouldn't be the car of choice for up and down a motorway every day but she isn't going to be doing this. A and B roads mainly.

As I said in my OP I did throw the A3 and Leon as options to her but she feels that are slightly on the large side.

[Gio G]

The wife runs a 3dr hatchback in s-line trim, they come with good specification for a little car, however you do pay for it. She has cruise control for motorway work, which makes it easier, great little cars, however I would not call them spacious. She has the 1.4TFSI in a manual under the recent facelift. Quite nippy, but long trips everyday, I would look for something bigger. Perfect for the blend of town driving and occasion motorway.

G

[aka_kerrly]

Gio G said:

Quite nippy, but long trips everyday, I would look for something bigger. Perfect for the blend of town driving and occasion motorway.

G

I don't understand this kind of attitude, we are not talking about a 1950s 20hp car on cart wheels. A modern car like a A1 can easily cope with motorway driving.

https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/Audi-A1-vs-A3-638

This may also help when it comes to the size vs parking argument if your partner is concerned about parking in tight spaces you can see in terms of width there is next to no difference between the two.
http://www.automobiledimension.com/audi-car-dimens...

[va1o]

We've had a couple of A1s in the family fleet of late in both 3dr and Sportback form. They are lovely cars albeit very small. Certainly a cut above any other supermini for quality, equipment and refinement. But maybe not quite as fun as the new MINI.

The 1.4 TSI ACT is the best all round engine to have offering strong performance and economy.


...having said all that, for 25-30k miles a year you're much better of with a Golf or A3. There is a significant step up in NVH moving to an MQB platform car.

[NBirkitt]

Read A1 Sportback road tests in Audi Driver magazine:

1.6 TDI Sport Mar 13

1.4 TFSI S tronic Nov 13

2.0 TDI S line Jan 15

1.6 TDI S line S tronic Apr 16

www.audidrivermag.co.uk