Audi A1 Sportback 2016-2018 in-depth review - Carbuyer

The Audi A1 is a premium supermini that comes in three and five-door Sportback body styles. It goes up against cars like the DS 3, MINI hatch and even the Volkswagen Polo it shares its underpinnings with.
It's got a high quality interior and a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, but how does it stack up now Audi has given a little subtle update? Watch the video to find out!
Watch our latest video - bit.ly/carbuyervideos
Audi A1 hatchback review - carbyr.uk/1UlTsJP
Audi A1 Sportback review - carbyr.uk/1GlB7HK
Audi A1 specs & prices - carbyr.uk/1PfYcc3
Volkswagen Polo review - carbyr.uk/1SOeCfG
MINI hatch review - carbyr.uk/1MCLdjF
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Every week, Carbuyer's KZbin channel brings you simple and entertaining reviews on every major make and model that's available for sale in the UK. Plus you'll find frequently-updated top 10 features and the occasional group test for good measure.
If you want even more helpful information, head over to Carbuyer.co.uk where you'll find in-depth reviews of more than 500 cars, alongside the best buying advice and dozens of features helping you to narrow down your car buying shortlist.

[@harveybirdman74]

He sounds like a camp hotel concierge from a vintage british comedy film.

[@harveybirdman74]

Not as much as you

[@stephen300o6]

Wow.

[@Macavellic]

You might think that this guy has been getting less hate because he is getting better, and people start to like him. Oh NO, people stop complaining and just LEFT !

[@nazhif1]

+Macavellic good then. less whining

[@martinallenuk]

+nazhif1 And less advertising revenue.

[@alek123ish]

+Macavellic did you noticed how much subscribers they've lost?

[@christopherpringle2951]

+Macavellic also if you look at the amount of viewers per video has dramatically decreased since matt left. I do however think that this guy is ok but he does need to be more entertaining in my opinion.

[@EgoShredder]

+Macavellic I do not care for any of the presenters both online or on TV these days. I am waiting for someone to come along whom is down to earth and unafraid to be themselves, and break the rules and ignore the PC brigade when they inevitably start moaning about remarks that are sexist, racist, ageist and so on. Maybe Dave Allen mixed with Jeremy Clarkson! :-D I just want an end to this procession of slick, slimy, false, 'afraid to offend anyone' easily interchangeable clones!

[@ddrodwell1]

This review was very disappointing! I own this car and I'm telling you it's wrong. The rear seats do fold flat because the seat bases fold forward too! And the boot is very deep and has a removable floor which is not something every company gives you. Plus the rubbish about retrofitting sat nav is wrong because you can only do that if you added the connectivity pack! So you can't retro fit unless you have this. Really disappointing review and I love car buyer

[@QuickShiftTV2024]

This car has changed a lot for the 2021 model that I recently drove. Thanks for the upload!

[@galloping5273]

I actually think this reviewer is doing a great job. His reviews are so engaging and his body language, facial expression and vocal inflections really add to his content. Superb delivery. He really gives each review his maximum. Well done sir.

[@BATMAN-kp6hp]

stop hating on the poor chap,he's trying

[@wackyrodders316]

I wasn't. big fan of him at first but you get used to him. He does good reviews.

[@picklesrule69]

I've got the current shape vw polo. I was thinking of part ex it for an audi a1 but I do agree..the interior in the a1 just seems a bit dated now

[@Norwichjase]

That's the last video I'm watching on this channel, I'll find where Matt is and watch his videos instead. Something about this posh guy really grates on me.

[@Snowpeak74]

Very good review. Keep up!!

[@Sttm35]

Yes, this sums up well: You're paying awful lot for that Audi badge....

[@ScouseHornet]

had mine for 8 months and so far i have done 12,000miles trouble free, fantastic car for town and motorway, 1.6tdi :)

[@elliotp2184]

If there's one thing you can count on, it's that KZbin commenters will make it known when something changes. Nothing wrong with this guy, although I did very much like Matt, it's a shame he's moved on.

[@ultrafloss492]

Great review James the goth. Thanks very much!

[@TheisAnd]

Wow, really good job with the sound, guys! Once again you show everyone what good quality means. When I put on the newest CarBuyer video I crank up the ol' stereo and just loop it. Music for my ears!

[@PetroLar]

Good job mate!

[@ravzb40]

Wow they they done such a great job with this new A1. Well done Audi you made the car look exactly the same as the old one apart from slight changes.

[@jubjub13483]

20 grand! What one did he go for? Mine was 16 and half and it had better engine, cruise control, parking sensors and folding door mirrors.

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Excellent review!

[@456therocker]

This look like a fantastic first car. The older models to 2010-2013 are affordable for my budget. Is this a good first car or should i buy something cheaper like a Ford Fiesta??

[@seb5945]

Door bin passes the car buyer big bottle test with flying colours. Unfortunately, the back seat doesn't make the car buyer big booty test.

[@cameronjohnston3186]

How much is the 1.0 litre to insure?

[@ashleyconraduk7320]

How can a pop up infotainment system look dated when it's a fairly new thing cars?

[@dinisibiya7493]

Thank you lovely review

[@blarkdexture8899]

This guy is so much better than Rebecca!

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

Rebecca wasn't bad, but I couldn't stand her awfully cringy jokes

[@wildan2136]

+Olof L dude...you cant hate rebecca its the rule!

[@Alans6563]

Agreed, Rebecca was awful! Not natural at all on camera and probably only got anywhere in life through a rich daddy. Her only saving grace was she was nice looking. This new guy is very good though, I like his reviews. Very relaxed style.

[@Sandouras]

Alans6563 So dark and edgy mate.

[@philpaxton2078]

+Alans6563 I found her pleasant enough, although her comments were often incorrect and sometimes irrelevant.

[@SwPiotrek]

Great work, great review!

[@bocckoka]

you didn't drive the combined cycle now, did you, James?

[@Damocles178]

The Audi A1 external looks remind me of the Seat Ibiza. I know Seat is another Volkswagen brand and the Ibiza also shares the Polo platform.

[@bossm5returns]

+Damocles178 Both Seat and Polo are larger than this small boy

[@67tomcat]

You know things have gone "awry" in the world when we complain a pop up infotainment screen on a dashboard is a "little dated'!

[@aymanmj3828]

please make a review of the ford mustang shelby.

[@clubsport_46330]

How does it drive? I'm assuming fiesta is way better

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

That dash looks very much similar to the one in a Corolla--colored plastic panels with some soft cloth paddings.

[@fariasttiago]

If you flip up the seat squabs, you get a flat floor. Why does no one do that???!! Especially carbuyer because in the old a1 review the did show, but then on the old sport back and this new sport back video they don't show it. Why???

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

For the dislikers, pressing that dislike is their purpose to come here, but CarBuy still earns the money from views. Win-win.

[@lukeoliver651]

I've got an Audi a3 2.0tdi and get 60+mpg, how is he only getting 38!? I guess theres drivers and then drivers lol

[@martinallenuk]

"I'm a laydee!!!"

[@dominickirby2568]

I like this guy!!!

[@sunildayal740]

Matt Watson had a good sense of humour. Missing him at Carbuyer...

[@RomainSandt]

Ok him again, only him... I leave this channel I used to love.

[@RomainSandt]

Wael Mkawer happy to oblige.

[@Vovza]

The only way you could tell it's a new A1, is by looking at its plate.

[@Whiponized]

Vladimir Skavronskis innit

[@shreyas2888]

Matt black FTW! Bubye carbuyer, gonna subscribe to carwow now!

[@RightWing1]

I dont understand the A1 at those prices, it isn't in the least competitive it really does rely on desperation to claim you drive an Audi. When Mrs. L took a look we walked, it was too small for what you get, my A6 cost the same. We ended up getting a new shape Clio with way more kit at £3300 cheaper.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Jerry Lawrence if you buy an A1, you aren't claiming to drive an Audi. You ARE driving an Audi. What a weird thing to say. Odd though if you bought a fiesta, I wouldn't say "look at him in a cheap fiesta, cos he cant afford a focus". Its jealousy nothing more, when someone gets a premium badged car, and having a dig at someone with an A1 is a bit pathetic isn't it.

[@thenewthrowawaylol4343]

Why don't they update the bloody A5 -_- And also R.I.P carbuyer, Mat really made the channel for most of us.

[@siyandajola585]

where is Matt now?

[@ffdaasssd]

good

[@mart2354]

I think this guy is doing well. Fuck all haters!

[@oshadaranasinghe1488]

How tall are you??? Does it accomodate for a 6foot 4inch guy???

[@chicksdiggit9239]

he said 5’11 if u watched the video

[@lewis72]

Great car for the prawn sandwich brigade.

[@lomate1963]

He's lovely 😍

[@Pandamasque]

THE COMPUTAH SAYS NO. Am I the only one expecting the reviewer to says that any moment?!

[@cezararmeanu55]

Mercedes Benz c coupe review?

[@auctioncars5804]

This looks like a nice car..

[@TheJanderochefort]

hi, where is Ginny? We haven't seen her for quite some time now.

[@callumbrown1463]

She did a recent review on the Hyundai Tucson

[@TheJanderochefort]

+Callum Brown yeah, i was so happy when I saw that :)

[@launchpadevans8702]

where is Matt ?

[@Carl15O3]

Jesus, at first i thought it was Jo Brand doing a car review

[@OhPoWneDiel]

how can they forget the fiesta on their comparisons

[@mikecarlson8850]

Where is mat

[@giacomocasanova2418]

Its an audi version of a polo or golf?

[@baray786]

+Andrei Gorelik polo. the a3 is similar to a golf

[@Fraizy]

Polo

[@hidzerazaman3490]

beetle

[@oddities-whatnot]

I had words with an Audi salesman, he wasnt impressed because i pointed out that some of the switches were the same as in my new polo :D

[@rube3k]

This guy is a right dry lunch.

[@Agent77X]

Ginny Buckley has not done a car review for some time now! Maybe on vacation?

[@pf1133]

The seats do fold completely flat! Ye forgot to flip up the bottom part of the seat to allow the backs to lie flat. Also this has got to be the only A1 ever made without a multifuntion leather steering wheel.

[@uyeahuyeah]

I want this guy to be in top gear... must be hilarious

[@callumwilliamson7307]

Construct give path counterpart frankly significant pay

[@andywylde]

Expensive hatchback

[@EmreBozkurtGuitar]

I have the new 1.6TDI 116hp and 250nm one. Downsized from A3 Sedan and i have to say it is much more fun and quality is barely any different. It runs very nnippy and at speeds it's quiet. Ppl who compare this car with Polo does the same to Golf and A3. It's a totally different world. VW's cabin is made out of the junk remnants of Audi. A very high qlty car. I also have an A6 and this one is a keeper.

[@Olliebobalong]

VW interiors are near Audi quality. having them look and feel like even older Audi's is no bad thing considering they are several grand cheaper.

[@EmreBozkurtGuitar]

yes thats the keyword. Cheaper. Looks, feels and literally cheaper

[@Account1746]

S line is the only way to go

[@Aek-om2tr]

i think what he is try to say is BRING BACK MATT AND GINNY

[@petermasefield9071]

What happened to Ginny Buckley? She just vanished too?

[@RC404]

You guys couldn't even get the s line with the led lights. What's an Audi without the led lights

[@EgoShredder]

+Shide Less irritating I suppose.

[@TheLandofTofuCars]

It looks like a frog combined with turtle.

[@yellowhammer3]

First Rebecca, then Matt, now Ginny is gone 😵

[@callumbrown1463]

It's Ok, Ginny did a recent review of the Hyundai Tucson

[@ottodob]

this car is cool, but VW has made the interiors of their cars so nice I find it hard to justify an audi for anything more than the badge.

[@marklotsufanclub8546]

Audi know people pay for the badge

[@mrj3795]

this geezer has no shame

[@FiredEmpire]

I just can't believe this car is brand new. If the Nissan juke is criticized for its gone-too-far styling, then Audi should also be criticized for its lineup's deadly dullness and lack of fresh air.

[@willyterni]

how can you make a press car with no xenon, no automatic cimate control and no fu*** leather steering wheel

[@Awayze]

45mpg on a good run? That's pathetic when you see a BMW 520d can get at minimum 42mpg real city driving not driving exactly economically either.

[@pb5x5]

It's a Skoda with four rings on the front.

[@armughanmalik5419]

why Matt is not active in carwow

[@3DAM.]

+Armughan Malik Not the good place to ask that ;-) Maybe they are filming several episodes that will be launched as a mini serie...

[@armughanmalik5419]

+3DAM thanks

[@Macavellic]

+Armughan Malik He is at +carwow now.

[@armughanmalik5419]

Macavellic ik

[@armughanmalik5419]

+Chrstian “Driver” mrclep bro this is not a joke im talkimg seriously

[@hunyango2k]

i miss matt... 😭

[@denmark5x]

I thought a house had a ceiling and a car has a roof. Woof woof

[@skyw4lker1997]

BRING BACK MATTTTT

[@MegaVector2011]

Ford have cracked the 3 cylinder 1 litre turbocharged engine market. 125 bhp ecoboost is incredible in the Fiesta. Anyone who buys this car is nuts. Get a top spec Fiesta for 5 grand less.

[@ThePANDA1885]

I agree. My wife has just got a fiesta zetec s as a company car and it's incredibly good to drive and the quality is far better than a brand new polo I hired a couple of weeks ago.

[@MegaVector2011]

+Gentle Brother They are a cracking drive. I downsized from a Mazda 6 which was a great drive, but the Fiesta rides better. I had a Golf for a while but the build quality was dreadful, had to get rid, it leaked round the windows & the dealer couldn't cure it.

[@tomjardine100]

There is nothing wrong with the fiesta, there is a reason why it's the UK's best selling car. If people can get over the badge snobbery, the fiesta is a great car! Much better than these overpriced, under equipped audi, where you are literally just paying for the badge

[@JackKing12.]

Ford is cheap and why they ship loads of this shite car...hard plastics...yuk

[@oddities-whatnot]

Yan Lee hard plastic interiors are more hard wearing. Do you constantly press and feel the dashboard, and door panels etc while your driving?

[@jezstokes8592]

Yes, good review - The car isn't very good though

[@SkhTrains]

Would much rather have the Seat Ibiza.

[@callumbrown1463]

I'd rather have a Ford Fiesta with the 1.0 Ecoboost

[@ghossler]

this isn't the adrenaline version is it?

[@jesushern6318]

my sincere opinion is "just one reason to increase the price of the Audi A3 making you believe you can afford an Audi by buying this tiny A1"

[@amandaastari974]

Where is Matt Damon?

[@mitko456]

Where is Matt?!? I thought I got used to this new guy but... Naaa, not really .. And to stop calling him "the new guy" they should include the name on the screen when he first appears

[@mitko456]

Ups they did put the name... Missed it at first...

[@MrPeterthepilot]

Extraordinary build, ordinary to look at.

[@munawarhussain9859]

bring back matt.............please .

[@bossm5returns]

2 doors is better looking

[@vantablack5690]

Stefke 2 door is always better looking

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

a very expensive way to drive a skoda fabia

[@Pipsicle330]

Ironically the Fabia is on the latest platform when the Ibiza, Polo and A1 are on the old one so its the better choice in every way. The VW group is a strange beast sometimes

[@omura00]

he's getting better i admit. but where the hell is matt and rebecca?! bloody hell. its the way he talks... it just irritates me.

[@Horizon301.]

These reviews are inconsistent firstly they had a Awful car to review most Audi A1 cars will be shine which look much more premium to this one with proper lights and styling inside and out, also he said there was not much legroom when that is quite a lot for a car in that class he has done reviews in bigger cars which equally as much legroom stating that the legroom is good these reviews are not accurate in any way look at the car yourself then decide if you want it don't rely on car buyer

[@diocanaja]

Where's Ginny?

[@ibmicroapple9142]

This guy again... -.-

[@leleedler]

I wants in the US.

[@leleedler]

IDK. It makes no sense. We don't get cool cars and brands. It sucks. I want my Citroen, Renault, and other exclusives. This car would sell well here.

[@Enfeeblement]

+Le Leedler Would it? Most Americans seem to drive huge cars, like massive SUVs and full-size sedans. I doubt a tiny A1 would attract a lot of US buyers. I believe the smallest Audi available in the US is the A3 Berline.

[@leleedler]

+Eric Taylor Kinda, we have a but of a truck problem here. The Ford f-150 is huge here and hurts our image. A lot of us drive smaller crossovers (yuck) or small sedans. There is a market for this I believe. Maybe not an Audi as here we believe the bigger the more luxurious but, maybe a Citroen, Volkswagen, or some other non luxury brand.

[@Enfeeblement]

Perhaps, but keep in mind this car is 2 classes smaller than those crossovers/small sedans you speak of. It's way smaller than even the smallest cars you see on US roads today, which is why I doubt there is a market for this in the US.

[@leleedler]

Eric Taylor You make a strong point. I don't know I see a market here. I would buy it and I know some others who would buy it but, you are pretty damn right.

[@manlimbu2831]

😎👍️

[@jameshodge7127]

Get Matt back !!!

[@davidyates7835]

Wow this guy should work for Apple ... ...wait did he say ...beautify made.....how many times he say plastic?