Audi A1 Overview

The Audi A1 is one of the definitive small city cruisers out there. Be it in hatchback or sportback form, the A1 hands more budget-conscious drivers the luxury and poise typical in Audi’s lineup for a price that will tempt drivers to make the jump. While still boasting the infamous Audi badge of honour, the new Audi A1 and A1 S-Line come in a variety of trims and sits at the leaderboard of the hatchback market.

This latest face-lift is the second generation A1, which is launched a whopping eight years after the original. Many drivers after a sporty yet economical lease opt for the Audi A1 S line for its increased performance and aesthetics which obliterate the MINI Cooper S, Suzuki Swift Sport and VW Up! GTi. This review touches down on all the available models, however, as we take a full 360-degree view of the new Audi A1 and the impressive Audi A1 lease offers that can be found on cars2buy.

Body & Interior

The standard A1 body is a rotund but visually-appealing model that looks surprisingly larger than it actually is. You’ll be pleased to see how it can fit into tight spaces, with a width about as long as a standard MINI. Furthermore, the S line upgrades the bodywork to add a thin but unmistakably edgy hood air inlet that punctuates an overall striking package. You can spot nuances that are borrowed from other Audi models, like the grille from the R8 supercar or the bulky frame of the RS6 Avant, but is very much a vehicle in its own right. All versions of the new Audi A1 are five-door, but even if you don’t use them often, Audi’s eagle-eyed design means the car still manages to find space from nowhere.

The interior is reminiscent of an Ikea showroom as much as it does a car cockpit, thanks to its smartly-packaged design and quality materials that all feel well-made. You’ll drive with a sporty TT-esque steering wheel and a fully-digital dashboard that pairs well with the touchscreen infotainment system. Moreover, Audi has provided an enormous amount of driving aids to help you day-in, day-out, including ultrasonic sensors, front and rear cameras, lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control functionality.

Drive & Trims

Though a machine that can handle more than its fair share of long-haul journeys, the A1 fits right at home in the city streets, weaving through lanes and taking off at crossroads with pace. Punching to the floor unleashes a wealth of torque, allowing you to race through the gears and get a thrill every time you reach a set of traffic lights. Most importantly, it can fit in those tight urban parking spaces easily.

With the various trim options, you have four engines to choose from, all petrol-based. The range is bookended by a 1.0L three-cylinder engine that outputs 94bhp up to a 2.0L unit that roars with 204bhp. It’s a very versatile hatchback, and the trim options, going from the understated Technik to the hard-edged S line, only proves that case further. Drivers are given either a five-speed or six-speed to choose from (the five-speed is offered with the entry-level only) or can take it up a gear with a whopping seven-speed S Tronic auto.

Should You Get an Audi A1 Lease?

Absolutely! An Audi A1 lease is the most affordable way to get the Audi experience, and at cars2buy, we have a smorgasbord of brand-new models ready to lease from thousands of UK partners. Our transparent service lets you search, filter and find the lease deal for you without having to trawl through hundreds of other websites – it’s all right here. Browse our Audi A1 lease deals today, and start driving one of the best compact cars on the market today in next to no time.

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