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Audi A1 Sportback 2019 review

Hatchback Petrol

Audi A1 Sportback 2019 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The second-generation Audi A1 arrived in the UK in late 2018 as a five-door Sportback only: no three-door, no diesel, front-wheel drive throughout. It is the premium answer to the supermini class, trading outright value for Audi build quality, a grown-up cabin and strong residuals. The featured car is the sweet spot of the launch range: the 30 TFSI Sport, priced at £20,010 on the road at launch, between the £18,540 SE and the £21,660 S line.

The 30 TFSI is a 999cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol producing 116PS (114bhp) and 200Nm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S tronic automatic. The manual covers 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and tops out at 126mph. At launch only the 30 TFSI was available, with the 25 TFSI (95PS), 35 TFSI (150PS) and the 200hp 40 TFSI following in early 2019. Economy figures need their test cycle labelled: the launch claim was 57.6mpg with 111g/km of CO2 on NEDC-correlated figures, while later WLTP-era Parkers figures for the Technik manual are 50.4mpg and 126-127g/km, so do not compare the two sets directly.

Space is supermini-typical but usable: a 335-litre boot growing to 1,090 litres with the seats folded, and a kerb weight of 1,105kg for the Technik manual. Safety is five Euro NCAP stars from the 2019 test, with 95% for adult occupants. The new-car warranty was three years or 60,000 miles, with the mileage cap applying in year three, so a 2019 car is out of factory cover. Launch trims were SE, Sport and S line, with Technik and special editions such as the S line Competition joining during 2019.

Used buyers should weigh one stark survey result: in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey the A1 finished last of 19 small cars, with a quarter of owners reporting a fault and a quarter of repairs costing £1,500 or more. Prioritise a full service history and a warranty check, test the S tronic carefully at low speed and on pull-away, since gearbox faults are rare but average over £2,000 to fix, and check the suspension, the most commonly claimed area. Finally, verify the exact car's trim and packs with the seller, because Parkers warns that equipment listed for a version may have applied only at some point in its production life.

UK price from: £20,010

Specifications

Engine	1.0L 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol (999cc)
Power	116 PS (114 bhp)
Torque	200 Nm
0-62 mph	9.5 seconds (manual); 9.4 seconds (S tronic)
Top speed	126 mph
Transmission	6-speed manual (7-speed S tronic optional)
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	50.4 mpg combined (WLTP-era, Technik manual); 57.6 mpg launch NEDC-correlated claim
CO2 emissions	126-127 g/km (WLTP-era, Technik manual); 111 g/km launch NEDC-correlated claim
Boot space	335 litres (1,090 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,105 kg (Technik manual)
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2019 test)
Warranty	3 years / 60,000 miles when new

Features

999cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (116PS, 200Nm)
Six-speed manual gearbox (seven-speed S tronic optional), front-wheel drive
0-62mph in 9.5 seconds (manual), 126mph top speed
335-litre boot, expanding to 1,090 litres seats folded
Five-star Euro NCAP rating (2019 test, 95% adult occupant)
Five-door Sportback body only; no diesel version
Launch trims SE, Sport and S line, with Technik added in 2019
Premium Audi cabin and strong residuals for the class

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£54.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Oil filter	£11.99
Engine air filter	£17.99
Cabin pollen filter	£19.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£24.99
12V battery	£99.99

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Proper premium feel in a supermini footprint
Sweet 116PS three-cylinder with a slick manual gearbox
Five-star safety and a usable 335-litre boot
Strong residuals against mainstream superminis

Cons

Finished last of 19 small cars in the 2023 reliability survey
2019 cars are out of the three-year/60,000-mile warranty
Gearbox faults are rare but average over £2,000 to fix
Equipment varied across the production life, so verify trim and packs

Frequently asked questions

Is there a three-door Audi A1 from 2019?

No. The second-generation A1 was sold in the UK as a five-door Sportback only. There was also no diesel version in 2019; the range was petrol only.

Which A1 engine should I choose?

The 30 TFSI is the sweet spot: 116PS, 200Nm and 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds with the manual. The 25 TFSI is cheaper to insure but slower, while the 35 TFSI (150PS) and 40 TFSI (200hp) cost much more to buy and run.

Why do A1 economy figures differ so much?

Because the test cycle changed. The launch claim of 57.6mpg and 111g/km is NEDC-correlated-era, while later Parkers figures of 50.4mpg and 126-127g/km are WLTP-era. Compare figures only within the same cycle.

Is the 2019 A1 reliable?

Survey evidence says be careful: in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey the A1 finished last of 19 small cars, with a quarter of owners reporting a fault. Buy on full service history, test the S tronic at low speed, and consider a warranty.

Why does the same A1 trim cost different amounts in listings?

Parkers warns that equipment listed for a version may have applied only at some point in its production life, and later Technology Pack variants cost far more when new. Verify the exact car's trim, packs and suspension with the seller.