2021 Audi A1 review – better than a Mini Cooper? | What Car?

A small car and a posh badge are quite a rare pairing. So, it's been quite a battle over the years between the Audi A1 and Mini Cooper. The new A1 is based on the What Car? Award-winning Volkswagen Polo, but carries a price premium. Is it worth it? Watch our video to find out

What Car? is the UK's biggest car-buying brand and has been helping Britain's car buyers make purchasing decisions for more than 40 years. Our tests are widely regarded as the most trusted source of new car advice.

This channel brings you trusted reviews on all the new models on the market, all the latest first drives, reader reviews, and great car-buying advice.

Follow What Car? here:

[BascarooMuffins]

I bought a full spec 40TFSI some weeks ago... No regrets! I love it, best small car

[charleskay]

All of you saying' 'oh an overpriced vw polo' or 'better buy a ford' or anything else, i will tell you that Audi A1 DESTROYS in terms of beauty, quality, driving and many more categories all his rivals in this category.People also now mistaken it as the new A3 because of his new size..Audi= Quality and Beauty..Always Remember You Get what You Pay. Also the 1.5 litr engine is a beast for its size..And you cant compare an 150bhp Ford engine with an 150bhp Audi engine..Audi Its far more powerful..Have a nice day!

[UKArtlover]

All this talk of the mini....I'd simply rather be in an Audi, scratchy or not ...I just would :)

[diogovieira]

glad you talked about the seats
about 20 mins in the back of the wrong car, and my back was killing me... more important than I thought!

[tyronepowell]

I could listen to her all day!! Forget the cars!! 😂 😂

[LeeSeptember]

Really sad that you can't find a new spec A1 with a sunroof.

[TShah]

I watched this video and felt inspired to buy one of these then I remembered I have £400 to my name 😂

[psandbergnz]

I'm glad she compared driving refinement between the A1 and the Mini, where the A1 (and Polo) wins.

[JackKing.]

I do like the A1 interior but the new 2020 A3 still has some convincing.

[blacktaged]

We have 2 of earlier gen A1s and we absolutely love them!

[louiskopite]

Kudos for the nice review. Missus decided to stay with her Opel Corsa when saw the hard plastics in that. Can’t blame her.

[lawrencemosely]

audi claimed to have improved the spacing interior on their new a1 - and they've been doing well about it 💝

[TheRustedPixel]

Really very good review. Some great tips I would have never have expected. Scratchy door plastics and poor seats for cornering? Really Audi! Thanks for this. Very useful.

[jonessenoj]

My mum has a 1.4 tsi and she loves it !!! My dad loves driving it too....!!! Based on their experience this looks like a cracking motor 👍...yes more pricey than rivals...but having seen the cheaper paints used and materials in the others...you do get what toy pay for ! Asked my mum are you thinking of changing her ? NO....my mum has had loads of cars and years of driving experience... dont discount our elders...they literally have years of experience 😉✌

[oopscanada]

Beautiful presenter; and beautifully presented. For a first Audi; it's not bad at all.

[istevieee]

Rebecca Jackson offering to chauffeur us about? Yes please!

[Silver-stzq]

A much better design then the old one but that price tag is rediculous, rather have a VW Polo or a Toyota Yaris GR.

[wayneheyes]

£30 plus grand for a decent spec

YOU CANT KEEP PUTING COSTS OF CARS UP

[thedieselguy]

The car looks steller, I'm blown away

[wzfwwss]

Just a VW Polo with an Audi badge, if you are looking for the entry model A1 then go for a higher spec Polo instead. If you are looking something high up the range (S Line) surely you would purchase another vehicle altogether! Just too overpriced for what it is really.