• Interior feels solid and built to last
• Quality doesn’t live up to price in places
• Tech is top-notch

How is the quality and the layout?

On first acquaintance, the Audi A1’s interior feels like a premium product. The dashboard looks like a high-quality item, the seats are nicely trimmed, and the controls and switchgear have a solid, chunky feel you’ll struggle to find elsewhere in a small car.

The dashboard is logically laid out. It’s inevitably dominated by the infotainment display screen, but there are assorted buttons and knobs to control the air conditioning, stereo, lights and cruise control. Combined with the dashboard’s strong lines, the interior makes a strong first impression.

Sadly, the quality doesn’t quite match the aesthetic. Tom Goodlad said of his long-termer: ‘Just opening the door reveals a cheaper than expected feel. When you shut it, it doesn’t have a solid thud, instead feeling a bit lightweight and hollow. Similarly, some materials used on the doors are the same quality you’ll find on some cars half the price.’

Still, better materials are used in places that really matter, such as the steering wheel, gear stick and air con controls. But the mixed bag of material quality isn’t what we expect of an Audi. Quite frankly, the latest MINI has it licked.  

Infotainment and technology

The infotainment system fitted to the Audi A1 looks great but it’s not the easiest to get on with at first, because of the sheer number of menus there are to navigate through. It can be frustrating at first, but you’ll soon learn your way around it. Though we can say that of just about every infotainment system. You can connect your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to use navigation and streaming apps, which makes life a bit easier.

It helps that the screen is angled toward the driver and the icons are nice and big, so it’s easy to prod the feature you want to use. And the tech is actually pretty good in grand scheme of things. Indeed, Tom Goodlad described his long-term A1’s tech as ‘by far its best feature.’

All models also have a digital instrument cluster that can show a vast range of information, including full-screen satnav maps. It can be configured to show only the information you’re most interested in, as well.

It all feels quite high tech for a small car, until you look at the latest MINI’s circular OLED screen. Though that has reset standards for the entire industry, not just for superminis.

Comfort

• Standard seats not very supportive
• Lots of seat adjustment possible
• Rear seatbacks too upright

The Audi A1’s seats look good, but those fitted to Technik models aren’t as supportive and comfortable as we expect in a premium-brand car. Matters improve in Sport and S Line cars, their sports seats holding you more firmly in place – which is what you want both on a twisty road and a long motorway slog.

Comfort in the back is somewhat compromised. While there’s sufficient room for most people, the backrest is very upright and needlessly uncomfortable. Frequent stops may be needed for adult back seat passengers to stretch out.

Ride quality very much depends on which wheels and suspension set up the car has. Tom Goodlad specified his A1 long-termer with big wheels and sports suspension and noted: ‘Bumps, cracks and imperfections in the road really upset it quite a lot. The Audi simply crashes into them.’

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Not good. Better, then, to save some money a stick with the smaller wheels and softer suspension fitted to Sport and S Line models. They give a much smoother, more settled ride. But, if you really value ride comfort in a small car, we think the Skoda Fabia is a better bet.