Audi A1 - Practicality, comfort and boot space

The three-door A1 variant is long gone and because the new generation is bigger than before, owners of the previous generation car will find the latest five-door Audi supermini is a lot more useful.

Five-doors means easy access to the rear for baby seats and the like, and the extra space inside means more adjustment for the driver’s seat so it will be easier for all shapes and sizes to get comfy. Forward visibility is fine too, although rear parking sensors will be a boon for some when reversing, as like many modern hatchbacks the rear view is hardly panoramic. Should you choose to seek out a used example of the discontinued Citycarver model, you'll benefit from a 50mm extra ride height and a softer, more comfortable drive.

In other respects, the cabin is typical Audi, with a decent glovebox, door pockets and storage in the centre console, plus cup-holders between the seats. Practicality is also enhanced by the application of so much tech. The optional Virtual Cockpit dash in particular offering up navigation info that’s easily assimilated by the driver.

Size

Although its sporty style is eye-catching, the Audi A1 is basically fairly boxy when you look beyond the decorative elements of the design. It’s also bigger than before, and so compares favourably to rivals for interior and boot space. It measures up at 4,029mm long and 1,940mm wide, which is, however, a little shorter than the VW Polo’s 4,053mm length. The A1 Citycarver adds 15mm to the overall length and is also 76mm taller.

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Leg room, head room & passenger space

There’s plenty of room in the front seats, while two rear seats passengers are accommodated comfortably, without squashed knees or cricked necks. A third rear passenger will be a squeeze, but the same goes for all cars in the Audi A1’s supermini class. 

Boot

Compared to the old A1, there’s been a big boost in luggage capacity – up 65 litres to 335 litres in total. If you fold the rear seats, which don’t quite go flat, but are split 60:40, then total luggage space goes up to 1,090 litres.