[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/audi-a1-reviews\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/audi-a1-reviews\/","headline":"Audi A1 reviews – what the critics think","name":"Audi A1 reviews – what the critics think","description":"The back end of November marked the arrival of the new A1 in Audi showrooms across the UK. Redesigned from the ground up, the second-gen supermini is longer than before, creating a roomier interior and more boot space. The three-door has been binned off, and now only comes as a five-door Sportback. Styling is very close to what came before and there\u2019s no mistaking the new A1 for anything else. With the car now out in the wild, we\u2019ve taken […]","datePublished":"2018-12-18","dateModified":"2018-12-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Audi-A1-Sportback-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Audi-A1-Sportback-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/audi-a1-reviews\/","about":["Audi","LATEST CAR NEWS","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":527,"keywords":["Audi","audi a1","Audi A1 2018","Sportback"],"articleBody":"The back end of November marked the arrival of the new A1 in Audi showrooms across the UK.Redesigned from the ground up, the second-gen supermini is longer than before, creating a roomier interior and more boot space. The three-door has been binned off, and now only comes as a five-door Sportback.Styling is very close to what came before and there\u2019s no mistaking the new A1 for anything else.With the car now out in the wild, we\u2019ve taken a look at some of the reviews in the UK motoring press. Here\u2019s what they thought of the littlest Audi\u2026\u201cRaised the bar\u201dAuto Express seemed impressed. Awarding four out of five stars, the motoring weekly magazine said the new A1 cemented the car\u2019s status as a top premium supermini, and \u201craised the bar once again for comfort and refinement\u201d.It praised the tech-crammed cabin for setting the benchmark for connectivity and functionality, even if cheaper rivals pretty much match it in terms of interior quality and ambience.While Audi usually commands a price premium over its rivals, AE pointed out that \u201ca Volkswagen Polo gives you almost as much of everything for a lot less cash\u201d.The team over at What Car? found the A1 to be \u201ca darned fine car\u201d but echoed that damning Polo likeness: \u201cOther than those four rings on its bonnet, it\u2019s hard to see what you\u2019re getting for your extra cash.\u201dIn the plus column, they liked the A1\u2019s smooth ride and tidy handling, rock-solid resale values, and how quiet it was at higher speeds.\u2018Lack of enthusiasm\u2019Out on the road, Top Gear was far from blown away and found the A1 universally underwhelming.\u201cNo matter which A1 you drive, you find the same lack of enthusiasm for the task at hand,\u201d it said.\u201cNeither of the four-cylinder engines has any character, or makes a remotely interesting noise. And although turbocharged, there\u2019s no great punch of torque at any point.”The Telegraph was less scathing, complimenting its quick and responsive steering, even if normal A1s don\u2019t feel quite as lively in corners as the Ford Fiesta or Mini.Despite this, they found that the little Audi still grips well and feels sharper than the average hatchback.\u2018A really grown-up car\u2019What Car seemed disappointed by a lack of value for money with the A1, warning prospective buyers to not expect much standard equipment for their money.Even with the perceived lack of punch and scant spec lists, Auto Express insists that \u201cthe A1 still feels like a really grown-up car\u201d.\u201cDespite its dinky dimensions, it handles sweetly and sits comfortably on the motorway,\u201d it wrote.RatingsSo how did they rate the new A1? Well, Evo, What Car? and Auto Express all awarded the new A1 four out of five stars.Autocar gifted it just three and a half stars, with Top Gear and The Telegraph handing it an equivalent seven out of ten.So a decent but not class-leading supermini from Audi then. Will you still be picking up the new A1? Let us know down in the comments."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Audi A1 reviews – what the critics think","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/audi-a1-reviews\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]