Audi S1 in-depth review - Carbuyer

The Audi S1 Sportback is Audi's answer to small hot hatches like the Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio Renaultsport and Vauxhall Corsa VXR. But unlike those models, the S1 Sportback adds extra versatility with a pair of rear doors that make it easier to live with if you regularly carry passengers. It also has the all-important quattro four-wheel drive system which means it remains a useable high-performance car in most weather conditions.
Audi S1 Sportback review: carbyr.uk/1SnsCNW
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[@ScottZ370]

I don't think the S1 is the only thing on crack! 3:00

[@nathanherbertson8987]

I've got the S1, love it and even watching this video has me excited to drive it again tomorrow haha. Its never boring.

[@comedyman112]

do you still have it? how was it long term? i might get one as well if it proves itself decently reliable

[@andrewturner2890]

@@comedyman112 i want to know the same aswell

[@lolluke2501]

@@andrewturner2890 I’ve just picked one up and just finalising the paperwork, could come back to this and let you know what I think

[@andrewturner2890]

@@lolluke2501 that would be sick mate cheers

[@V1PERB3ATZ]

@@lolluke2501 so what’s happening lol?

[@icars98]

03:00 OMG Scared the crap out of me LOL

[@ThinkCleverAndSmart]

Daniel Leong Then you're not alone!

[@conorwainer9272]

@ 2:59 - Stop snorting crack off an S1 Matt!

[@MonteiroM]

I think they should add 8 more exhausts to this little car...

[@daryus6872]

nope they still expensive af

[@Saytheodd]

The moment when not EVERYONE likes big cars... I hate big cars, but why do they get AWD, adaptive dampers, more tech, more power? This is the perfect car for me! I currently love my Veloster, but after College if it's available in the U.S; I'd get it!

[@PLAYASAAGAR]

"A Jack Russell Terrier.. On crack.." I love you Mat..

[@evgenys6335]

"It would be a Jack Russel Terrier on crack" I love that comparison

[@BritishRailways60163]

3:04 Matt sounded a bit like Richard Hammond

[@mattsamuels3607]

Would easily have this over that new Yaris GR 🤷🏻‍♂️😎

[@MarcoElkes]

If you can find one

[@addj7093]

You can get the S1 in 5 door too

[@leelindsay]

Same here well better engine very tuneable

[@iantownsend5480]

Great second hand buy this would be

[@YJ-7]

Ok Yoda

[@Silver-um7jb]

In fairness can pick up one of these for about 14k rn, steal.

[@oliverrydder9742]

@@Silver-um7jb where do you find it for 14k?

[@bmorris5863]

@@oliverrydder9742 autotrader ..... before covid I picked up one for 13k.

[@mentey7025]

Just got one second hand and you read the future!

[@oddities-whatnot]

Seems a very good car overall. I like small hatchbacks, but most hot hatches are all the same. Might be on my list to consider and second hand prices are pretty good now. I like the adaptive suspension, so im guessing its a good all rounder for daily use.

[@TheMusicFan1297]

Thanks Carbuyer, I almost scared myself to death at 3:00 😄

[@callumbrown1463]

The Audi Quattro Reborn.

[@MrTARIQSs]

3:00 now that's what i call a proper jump scare

[@ooi1600]

Wow, love to see Matt flexing his muscles..!!

[@Speck1119]

Love Mat's performance! He could be an actor now xD

[@xBuzz996]

why do you guys compare the S1 on a Golf R? Golf R is suppose to compete with the RS3/S3, not the S1

[@nwhite06]

xBuzz996 it's because they're so ridiculously close in price. This thing is 26,000 GBP, 9,000 more than a Ford Fiesta ST-1 and 8,000 more than a Polo Gti. A Golf R is 30,000. With the Golf R you get a car that's more powerful, more practical, better equipped and in my opinion far better looking. If you can afford the extra 4,000 you'd be mad to not consider the Golf R.

[@Saytheodd]

nwhite06 It's a premium small car... Not everyone likes big cars.

[@nwhite06]

***** Yes it's a premium small car, but if it wasn't for the price nobody would ever compare an S1 to a Golf R. Yes not everyone likes big cars, but everyone likes getting value for their money, which in my opinion, the S1 doesn't offer purely because it's closer in price to the cars from the class above than it is to the cars in it's own class.

[@nwhite06]

Artevious McFly What do you mean price shouldn't make a difference? Of course it does. Price is the single most important thing to people buying a new car. It's easy to get someone to like a car, the hard part is getting them to actually spend their money. There's zero competition between a Polo GTi and an S1 simply because the massive price difference (8,000GBP, almost the price of a new VW UP!) makes it an unrealistic option for the majority of buyers in that market. Fair enough the S1 might be a better car than the Polo GTi, but when you can buy a new Golf GTi from the class above for a couple grand more why would anyone buy an S1?

[@redlinethin]

Polo GTI isnt a direct competitor to S1. One is a hothatch the other is a luxury hothatch. Try to keep up...

[@CaptnDeadpool]

The Golf GTI comes with 230 hp from the factory too, if you get the optional Performance Pack.

[@karpetcm]

Exactly what I was thinking good point.

[@CaptnDeadpool]

Besides, if you can afford this car, you can probably get your hands on a couple more grand to get a Golf R, later remap the engine and then you'll have 360 horsepower. Now that's what I call a hot hatch.

[@Stroh538]

Liviu Boto the engine in the S1 is the same 2.0 turbo that is in the S3 and the Golf R only slightly detuned.. So if you remap it, it'll deliver exacly the same performance as the golf R does (also remember the body of the S1 is lighter than that of the golf R) include the same performance upgrades as you were stating in your comment but on the S1 (as its the same engine) and it'll kick out 360 hp from a smaller and lighter car than the Golf R... So the only reason for rather buying the golf R should be extra space.. Or preference..

[@plasticacaria6427]

Kiddies be like "yeah but the S1 comes with 231hp, not 230 !" x)

[@bunnykill48]

Keep making videos like this! THIS IS AMAZING (I'm not on crack)

[@maruasibanda3736]

love this car!

[@carbuyer]

+Marua Sibanda It's fun... but would you rather have this or a Golf?

[@DodgeViperAS]

+Carbuyer Audi over VW.

[@thorbjrnmadsen4984]

Carbuyer Skoda over Audi and Volkswagen

[@BIGBOICOMBO]

being the ultimate Supermini justifies the price and take my words: Someday the Audi S1 will be as rare and desirable as the Mercedes Cosworth

[@RivieraByBuick]

+ScoutSpyScout true that

[@Pete762]

+ScoutSpyScout I agree but the A1 quattro will definitely be even more rare and desirable...

[@BIGBOICOMBO]

***** At price of £41,000 it is desirable and rare, but i heard that there's a shop that can turn your little A1 to a fire-breathing Quattro monster...but still : there's that charm that only over-powered Super-Minis can provide : i'd pick a A1 Quattro over Porsche or an RS4 at that price

[@Pete762]

ScoutSpyScout I think you are talking about MTM tuning... But it's expensive for what it is to be honest with that money I would buy an RS3 which sounds wicked (5 cylinder 2.5L turbo) but that's just me :)

[@BIGBOICOMBO]

***** Again it's the charm of an overly-powered supermini: See yourself on a red light with an A1 Quattro....some douche with his 1.8 Chevy Sonic revs it up next to you thinking he has more power than your "1.4T"...the green light is up and you leave him shattered on the spot. it's about others thinking that you're an Eco guy, while you can outrun most beasts on the road with no effort :p

[@TheDivineicons]

My cooper s came to 28 Grand after extras... so this rare piece of kit is worth it

[@The3dsGeek]

is matt flexing his muscles throughout the whole video?

[@mlee6136]

Matt your the most hilarious car reviewer out there, Kelley Blue Book tries too hard to be funny, your a natural. Please keep doing your thing..

[@NorwegianKicks]

A new S1 without any optional extras costs around £ 44k here in Norway...

[@cockshield]

How much does this cost? Anyone?

[@bollocks2usernames]

An average mid mileage used example is around £15-16k. Good example, with a few extras and low(ish) miles and you’re looking at £20k plus. Audi just had one for £25k, they are not depreciating much because they are rare (somewhere between 150 - 200 left on the road in the UK), plus with the manual gearbox and only really essential tech, it’s a more involving drive than many current offerings. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now and it’s a wonderful balance between practicality (Quattro in wet and cold), small size brilliant for city parking and fun on the B roads in all conditions. I’ve driven faster cars, but on country roads the S1 would keep up with most of them. The only gripes I would have are that although Dynamic firms up steering, gives better throttle response, easier to make top speed, give great engine note, it is too firm for most British roads. Also, the boot space (as Mat mentioned) is limited, but if necessary I put the back seats down. Many are saying it’ll be a future classic and I don’t doubt it.

[@davidyel4072]

2:02 LOL look at his face

[@Kaisuke971]

Damn that's expensive !

[@Fetii]

Kaisuke971 Still that is cheap in my country.

[@unchartedgamer3010]

fetullah ydz lol in my country the price of an s1 in England is the price of an entry level a1. what is more , a peugeot 208 gti is worth over 48.000 dollars in my country (30.500 pounds)

[@Fetii]

unchartedgamer3010 Hahahahahahaha where is that man? This is bullshit, the new Mustang costs 110k euro in my country while in America it costs around 40k euro for the v8.

[@unchartedgamer3010]

fetullah ydz lol it's Uruguay.. want a bmw m4 over here? be ready to pay 215k

[@Fetii]

unchartedgamer3010 Loool, it's even worse than here. But Uruguay is a nice place, so enjoy it :)

[@cunty]

i thought this was carwow til the end

[@zachsmith9233]

U put this car on a configuratior and the price was truly staggering. The price was around 35 to 40 thousand pounds... FUCK ME!!

[@bartiz12]

Matt you scared me!

[@LiamS94]

Twenty six thousand pounds!

[@oddities-whatnot]

Get one a year old, then its a decent price. Its like any new car, obviously all dealer RRPs are OTT, so use your common sense

[@GGN-92]

Thanks for the review - Take care.

[@Box0rz]

IT'S OVER 26000!!!!!

[@rytiskurcinskas7179]

+Box0rz even vegeta would rap his pants :D ,,,, not

[@joshbacon8241]

WHAT, 26,000? THERE'S NO WAY THAT CAN BE RIGHT!!

[@rikstoffels7767]

I found one with 18km for only 30k Hell yah I'm buying it

[@24bellers20]

Just bought one and it’s quicker off the line than my 2013 r8.

[@priteshchampaneri4706]

The satnav/infotainment system in the S1/A1 seems a after thought

[@reflectsociety1329]

Carbuyer I think Mat should apply for TOP Gear Job for BBC . He knows alot abouy cars and he is a good actor as well . Let's all support Mat for a place in TOP GEAR on BBC 2 . #matTG

[@callumbrown1463]

They should put the 296 BHP engine in this.

[@patrickhill5439]

Expensive yeah but because of that it will be more exclusive so I would have this

[@redcartiers]

What are those white rectangles on either side in the edge of the trunk?

[@Actio83]

Have you guys googled "pocket rocket"? Seen you use the term in several clips.

[@redcartiers]

What are those white rectangles on either side in the edge of the trunk? I literally am so curious for some reason.

[@besenwieslersepp1011]

Additionally rear lights. With open trunk, the car would not be illuminated at the rear

[@ajk4605]

4K more and you would have the choice of an RS or Civic Type R

[@AIBETTSYIA75]

Just a normal 90bhp a1 is £28k now

[@fadhilmuhammad2548]

Carbuyer review all new honda jazz 2015 please!!!

[@murdogordon3091]

Do you think Mat would be any good on Top Gear?

[@faris1y]

Mini Cooper S vs Audi S1 which do think is better?

[@oddities-whatnot]

faris s Audi S1 is better made. Too many reliability issues with the Mini brand.

[@ralphsaad8637]

Simon George No, the mini is better: better interior, better handling. If we wanna talk about reliability, Audi are some of the worst tou can find. Trust me, my mum used to own an A1.

[@n1co2017]

i so want to import one of these to Canada

[@andrewkim9824]

2015 BMW X6 PLEASE :)

[@DavidMiddleton101]

3:00 Heh, this is now over "26,000..." ...New Zealand dollars here

[@EmreBozkurtGuitar]

qualitywise, comparing an S1 (Audi) to Golf (VW) is not fair

[@ScottZ370]

Why?

[@seankurth4371]

Because: 1.) They're pretty much the same car. 2.) The VW is a much cheaper version of it, obviously it would be assembled with less precision, larger panel gaps, and more plastic. 3.) As well-built as the structural core of the Audi may be, it's still going to exhibit the overly complicated engineering, excessive and frequently breaking electronics, and finickiness that most German cars do. It will run forever if you pay to keep it up despite the freefall depreciation, but that's also true of literally any car ever made, you still don't want to own it out of warranty unless you're an Audi enthusiast who doesn't care about the cost. 4.) Reliability does not necessarily equal build quality in luxury cars, because luxury car buyers care about materials quality and fit and finish as much as if not more than they care about dealer trips. More often than not, they lease, so usually they don't even have to worry about what the car is like out of warranty. Comparing a car designed to always run flawlessly vs a car designed to always look and feel flawless isn't really fair, they're built to entirely different definitions of build quality. An Audi owner doesn't care that your VW's been running for 200k Km without issue, they'll brush their hand across the plastic on your dashboard and the gap between your bumper and quarter panel and know that, from their perspective, their car's still built better.

[@sugarnads]

I get that awesome feeling from my fabia RS lol when i stick it up someone unsuspecting.

[@sugarnads]

Dunno whether to get a. S1 next or a golf r... Kinda like the idea of having an audi quattro at least once.

[@alexlawrenson3694]

Dellacondan I drive a fabia VRS and am looking at an S1 in the next few weeks.. and I love the fact that it's a Wolf in sheep's clothing.

[@davidhayes4814]

The S1 is well kitted out, with a great interior. The residuals are good, so whilst it will cost more in the long run than an equivalent Ford, there is not that much in it. Still glad I have ordered a Golf GTI, which is very little more and much roomier.

[@oddities-whatnot]

David Hayes I think the S1 will appeal to those who like quirky cars, something a bit different, with the obvious quattro system attached.

[@ljakrtsh1]

3:00 hahahahhha loool p.s. wow awfully expensive :O

[@Ethan-bw3fe]

In getting one of these for my first car

[@Max-ck3id]

My Next car...

[@a.c.gaming7452]

Can’t even compare it to a st there miles slower and cnat handle no way near this !

[@jakev3906]

I love this car, but the price is completely bonkers.

[@delsol67]

LOVE IT

[@Razor20S]

The Audi S1 sounded alright until I heard that absurd price tag, £26,000 can get you a decent C-Segment hot hatch with more power.

[@theslimeylimey]

Razor Callahan yeah but only a FWD though which is apples and oranges really. On a wet or snow covered road quatro would destroy a FWD car. My first car was FWD and I've only had RWD ever since and there is no way in hell I'd go back to a FWD because I don't like how they feel. I would take this over any similarly priced FWD any day.

[@andreisalajean7344]

Mat Watson should audition for top gear

[@tede]

LOL at the price reveal.

[@Keisha7612]

Nice car

[@susanmcgarrell1327]

Hey

[@susanmcgarrell1327]

Wats ur name

[@mike_9978]

I'd buy it

[@rytiskurcinskas7179]

OVER 9000 !!!

[@NikesZ28]

So what they basically have done is put a S1 badge on a A1 Quattro that has been around for a wile already.

[@Mischangelo]

But it was a limited to only 333 car

[@panosalp]

Would that be better on track against a latest Ford Fiesta ST or Hyundai i20N?

[@besenwieslersepp1011]

No, it is not really a tracktool.

[@panosalp]

@@besenwieslersepp1011 many thanks for the response!

[@besenwieslersepp1011]

I drove my S1 since 2019 about 100 TKM an i am ver happy with it. For frequently trac use i would prefer the Fiesta! I only changed the bushings of the rear trail arms, the lower gearbox mount and of the anti roll bars with SuperPro. For trac use you have to do way more. KW clubsport works fine on the S1, but the S1 does not like lowering because the rear final drive ist mounted a bit left. So the drive shaft is very short, wich makes the angles on the joints extreme with OEM hight already. The engine is not the same as in S3 Golf 7r! Other Pistons, other Valves, smaller Turbo. If you run a Stage 1 with 400NM+ the OEM Clutch will burn down in a few months. Greets from Munich

[@sunsetgarage755]

@@besenwieslersepp1011 I understand what you mean about the S1 off the showroom floor, because it was under-tuned by the factory. Onceyou start to modify it, the huge potential of this car starts to be unlocked. Yes it’s not the same engine as an S3 or Golf R, but intake, downpipe, exhaust & retune gives the engine the power it should have left the factory with, and that little IS20 turbo spools up quickly & keeps the good torque & early power delivery down low with those upgrades.

[@besenwieslersepp1011]

@@sunsetgarage755 But this will not make a track tool out of it.

[@limpunsing224]

another Golf R in expensive trim?

[@derin8276]

Car buyer to carWOW

[@mavisvermilion1000]

'Hot' hatch? Not as hot as Mat...

[@comedyman112]

so golf gti is more expensive and slower...cool

[@aadidevnair8507]

Bro 26000 pounds in 2024 would be amazing, imagine if that actually happened 😢

[@DimitriRiggas]

It would probably be better to buy a used Audi S3 for a little bit less, 300PS too. The S1 engine is basically a de-tuned S3 engine anyway.

[@GamingWithDannyWeToMe]

How much is 26€ in Canada idk €s so

[@Del-pp3gn]

Nice machine

[@lolhanonchannel7605]

1:19 Adds to the F**k! NASTY

[@albertochoa6200]

I want one

[@igorm6307]

it's 2016, please use the real measuring system, the 1800s are over

[@thorbjrnmadsen4984]

Igor Mojak Now it's 2017, please go fuck yourself

[@jackfuetterer5126]

the Quattro is still more badass

[@danesebruno]

I will wait for the new MazdaSpeed3 which will have over 300 hp, awd and as usual a very nice mazda interior, roomy back seats and a big boot.

[@DSCMBOBULTD]

Where is it?

[@unconvincingrebel]

I like these cos there actually small. price is ridic though

[@bighands69]

It is an all wheel drive car. There are not many of them on the market.

[@Digi20]

hm..so the only thing that stands out is quattro? otherwise you could get a hot Golf, Leon, Focus, Megane, Octavia, 125i ,.. , for the same, or even quite a bit less money, and depending on what car you pick, you basically get the same performance but with much more space, better ride and comfort, RWD on the BMW, more playful chassis on the focus, etc. must be a car for die hard audi fans ;)

[@oddities-whatnot]

Round Trip If someone could afford it, then whats the problem with buying new? I always buy new cars, had loads, although most pre reg and heavy discounted prices, but I don't waste my money on other things and it gives me great pleasure.

[@miguelferrandisperez5705]

if 695 biposto would have 4wd it should be worth the price but what the biposto has thast race cool looking details, meh what i like on one i dislike in the other one.

[@Harpreet06]

Where's the Audi S3 review?

[@petersothern4693]

Harpreet06 have a look. s3 vs subaru imprezza

[@HardlyNormal12]

Audi S1, or a Fiesta ST Mountune and a holiday?

[@carbuyer]

HardlyNormal12 S1. Because Quattro. Bwarrrp

[@Naps-95]

HardlyNormal12 I have a Fiesta ST-3 Mountune. You wouldn't be disappointed! Plus you don't have to play the ridiculous price for this thing!

[@domlewis1824]

+Alex Napper my friend had a stage 1 fiesta st and recently got an s1, sold his st, he said the s1 feels much quicker and better in every aspect other then the gearbox

[@Naps-95]

+Dominic Lewis Good for him. He's in the minority and paid a ridiculous price that is in no way justifiable. Of course it feels quicker, it has more BHP.

[@kakadots]

S1 and drive myself to the holiday

[@iPhone3GSCase]

For that money I would get a couple years old S3 or S4

[@leaheleni]

Someone crush my Aldi S1

[@lewiscannon8213]

The guy in the video is right 26k for a S1 that's s3 8v money just without s-tronic or Bmw 135i

[@bighands69]

The S1 is a small luxury sports car. The S3 is bigger. There is a reason as to why people buy small cars. They are easy to drive in cities and cramped ancient streets.

[@nazhif1]

Nah I'd still go for the Megane RS. Or Peugeot's upcoming 308GTi

[@Fetii]

nazhif1 Can't compare German engineering to french crap m8.

[@nazhif1]

fetullah ydz lol so tell me. Why is the Golf R with its 4WD & near 300bhp slower than the front wheel drive Megane around the Nurburgring.

[@Fetii]

nazhif1 Idk, i don't care about lap times and i never heard of that. It could be true but i just never heard of it.

[@nazhif1]

fetullah ydz You're in denial kid. Snap out of it.

[@Fetii]

nazhif1 Let's talk about the reliability and quality then, what about comfort?

[@FrightfulAccountant]

I really tought that this one got everything hgoing for it... and then I heared the price! It's only 3000 pounds short of the outragious Civic Type R from the last video. More woryingly, for 3000 pounds less you have a Toyota GT86 that is an even more outragious car. And you can say everything of the S1 but it aint outragious. It is the sort of small but fast hatchback that should have a good price as strongest selling point. And as this one fails that essential criteria, I think not a lot of this ones will be sold.

[@cukbell]

+FrightfulAccountant The GT86 is slow unless you rev the shit out of it. They should fit a turbo and then maybe I would agree.

[@TheSuperMotoHooligan]

H to the O to the T...

[@affendyismail2136]

Prefer s1

[@GermanMike89]

Leon Cupra 280 ANYDAY over this

[@ScottZ370]

GermanMike89 I agree, even with it's FWD it's faster to 60, drives better and sounds better

[@GermanMike89]

S Miller And it's got much more room inside. And also it's made on the MQB platform, not on the Polo platform. Here in Italy the S1 costs almost 33k€ and the Cupra it's almost 34k€ so for me is the most sensible choice.

[@abhard6]

I actually test drove one of these, as was thinking of buying a new one. Then I saw a year old BMW M235I for £3000.00 more and sorry to say the M235I got my vote. So yes I paid more for a year old BMW 2 Series M235I but you get much, much more for your money and it's even faster than the Audi S1 and much more fun to drive.

[@bighands69]

They are two different types of cars.

[@myaelbowes9913]

Great video but audi is much better than ford and much sportier

[@ismail10_02]

'In depth review' 3 minutes

[@koyuki4848]

Dunno why don't like the styling

[@thorbjrnmadsen4984]

koyuki4848 You have no taste at all