Audi A1 Sportback

Despite being the most affordable vehicle in Audi’s portfolio, the A1 Sportback did not scrimp on comfort and tech features. Seats are comfortable and made from premium quality material with matching trims. Rear seats can be split folded 60:40 or fully collapsed for more cargo space. For the driver to fully immerse in the Audi experience, the dashboard is peppered with round knobs, round vents, and round buttons without the feel of the cockpit being too cluttered. The center console’s highlight is the 6.5-inch MMI infotainment system partnered to an 8-speaker audio system.

The A1 Sportback, according to Audi, is "the ideal companion for an urban lifestyle." It comes with a petite dimension of 3,973 mm long, 1,746 mm wide, 1,422 mm tall, and a wheelbase of 2,469mm. The sporty look begins at the massive trapezoid front grille flanked by upswept headlights with daytime running lights. Further down below are a pair of front fog lights embedded in the front apron. The curvy bonnet with a light pair of creases is typical for a compact car. The rear mimics the same curvy shape with rear spoiler on top for added sportiness. This Audi rides on a set of cast aluminum wheels in 5-arm dynamic design wrapped in 7 J x 16 with 215/45 R 16 tires. The only thing off on the design, and this is purely nitpicking, is the rubber duck antenna. With all its modern features, a shark fin antenna would be more appropriate. Besides that, this Audi hatchback exudes a robust, modern design built for urban roads.

When it comes to handling, this Audi supermini does not only take you from point A to point B but provides a very engaging driving experience. The chassis is well balanced and stable than most cars in the same segment. Though some would complain that the steering gets too firm when handling road humps and potholes, it remains well-weighted and accurate and can change direction on-demand and with precision. Ride quality is a bit firm though there are people who prefer firm seats. The rear space is a bit tight for three full-grown adults, especially on long rides. Best to reserve the backseat for small children or two adults if you are taking the car for a long ride.

The Audi A1 Sportback comes in several engine options—there are four gasoline engine options and two diesel engine options. First is the 1.0 L 3-cylinder inline petrol engine with direct fuel injection, turbocharging, and indirect intercooling. The 999 cc engine is capable of delivering 94 Hp of power at 5,000 – 5,500 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at 1,500 – 3,500 rpm. The engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed S tronic transmission. There are two options for the 1.4 L 4-cylinder inline petrol engine with direct fuel injection, turbocharging and indirect intercooling engine while the other one has an added Audi cylinder on demand technology which boosts its output from 123 hp of power and 200 Nm of torque to 148 Hp of power and 250 Nm of torque. Both 1,395 cc engines are partnered to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed S tronic gearbox. The last petrol engine option is the 1.8 L 4-cylinder inline with direct fuel injection, turbocharging, and indirect intercooling engine that is mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission. The 1,798 cc engine can churn out 189 Hp of power at 5,400 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1,250 – 5,300 rpm.

For the diesel engine options, there’s the 1.4 L 3-cylinder inline diesel engine with a common rail injection system that delivers 89 Hp of power and 230 Nm of torque. While the 1.6 L 4-cylinder inline diesel engine can produce114 Hp of power and 250 Nm of torque. Both engines come with direct injection, turbocharging, and indirect intercooling and are mated to either a 5-speed manual or 7-speed S tronic transmission. All engine options have front-wheel drive type and Euro 6 standard compliant.

When it comes to safety and driver convenience features, the A1 gets loads of advanced safety features but overlooked some of the basics. For instance, All Sportback variants come with a remote control key, electronic engine immobilizer, secondary collision brake assist, anti-slip regulation (ASR), electronic differential lock (EDL), electronic stabilization control (ESC), recuperation, side airbags, front, and head airbag system, side-impact protection, integrated head restraint system, and ISOFIX child seat mount. However, basic security and driver-assist features like anti-theft alarm, a navigation system, hill hold assist, parking system, and cruise control are optional features. But despite these overlooked features, the Euro NCAP gave the Audi A1 Sportback a perfect 5-star safety rating with very high scores on adult occupant and child occupant safety.

The Audi A1 Sportback checks most of the list on what buyers look for in a hatchback, and then some. The quality of the finish, the modern design, featured techs and the driving experience is what you would expect on an Audi. Best suited for urban dwellers, this supermini not only takes its passengers to their destinations but also flexible enough to do so in style.