The Audi A1 CityCarver 30 TFSI Review - Cool, or Cringe?

If you're looking for a pint sized car, you could buy a KIA Picanto. Or if you want something a little bigger, and a lot more expensive you could buy an A1. Of course, if you want something bigger again you could buy an A3.
But if you want a car which LOOKS bigger, but isn't - there's this. The Audi A1 Citycarver
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[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Some people want a small hatchback with a raised driving position so it’s easier to get in and out of and easier to get stuff in and out of. Not everyone needs to get from A to B as fast as possible with a dynamic driving experience. This car is for those people.

[@iandavidson99]

I recall when the motoring press all mocked Rover for their 'Streetwise'... and then every other manufacturer copied the concept.

[@stephenwhite8270]

The way rover was treated towards its death was a disgrace, couldn’t seem to do anything right

[@simonfreeman2808]

And the streetwise was better looking

[@JD-fg2dz]

28 grand for a city car thats crazy ! You can get so much better stuff on the used market

[@SM-ft2jv]

Fr, thats golf r money

[@ristekostadinov2820]

you can buy 2 renault twingo well specced

[@JD-fg2dz]

You could get a nice mk3 Focus RS for that money

[@rafiulhaque8064]

A well speced top of the line Fiesa ST plush some change for fuel and crisps. or one of my personal favourite a Hyundai i30 N

[@JD-fg2dz]

Could even get an early Audi R8 for the money !

[@Mr.Marbles]

why does every car have to look like a over the top race version with air intakes everywhere? the 75 hp base models now look like they 400 hp with big fake exhausts and fake intakes. thats the reason why cars like the civic type r have to try so hard to look more powerful since the base cars already look over the top.

[@roymoorman5990]

Agree! Soon (internal combustion) cars will have more exhaust tips than they have cylinders. Everyone wants the "sports" package but not the additional running costs or emissions tax penalty like we have here in the Netherlands.

[@robertl2856]

28K.....think i am out of touch here !

[@ristekostadinov2820]

the interior doesn't look lot special comparing it with scoda fabia which you can full spec her for 17-18 000 euros with all of the useful options (sports seat, front heated, rear arm rest, full led lights, maybe sunroof) even golf gti comes standard with nicer seats

[@Luckyjo21]

Thought he was gonna say 18k!

[@TheCircuitWizard]

I don't understand the demand for these things

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

wahmen

[@mudskipper0075]

PCP on £300 a month to make your neighbours think your doing ok...tragic

[@TheCircuitWizard]

Mudskipper 007 oh no! What ever will they think of my e46 with rusty arches? 😬

[@mudskipper0075]

TheCircuitWizard I was just looking at e46’s ,going to be collectible as probably the last true 3 series...👍

[@TheCircuitWizard]

Mudskipper 007 I think so, I was considering selling mine but to be honest it’s so good I will replace the wings and keep it. I don’t see it losing value at least.

[@miloszsojka8681]

FWD pseudo-SUV? Ew

[@YegoYTP]

Cringe. I don't like these Rover Streetwisey things.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

YegoLoda but lots of people do.

[@YegoYTP]

@@Jabber-ig3iw I know, its stupid.

[@johnjackson2349]

This review is fantastic I really like this style of review and video work feels top notch. I'm glad your not scared to bash the rubbish parts to a car. Many journalists just gloss over them because it's an audi and don't want to upset them

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Cringe, the car for the pretend-Chelsea-mom.

[@fudganuld]

A friend saw one and thought it had a 3ltr in it..Ha !

[@panoctopus]

Haha. I thought the same when I saw an A6 40TDI - thought it might be a V8, but just another 2.0. Audi's engine power badging makes no sense whatsoever.

[@global_nomad.]

lingering shot of a quattro....thats the highlight

[@themanipulator1]

I'd love to see you do a review of a non performance lexus. Like a modern gs. Reliable and luxurious daily potentially?? I'm not a massive fan of the suvs but I'll always love a saloon and admire them for being different from the German mainstream

[@Hali88]

£18,000 for the car, £10,000 for the badge.

[@resnonverba137]

That price is a little frightening. An Up! is all you need for a fun and nippy city-car.

[@ryadhasanahmed5443]

But muh premium Audi badge

[@resnonverba137]

@Teamgeist For the driving perspective, they are all but identical. For the difference in price, I prefer the VW badge on the steering wheel in front of me and the better looks of the car overall.

[@resnonverba137]

@Teamgeist Needs must, I suppose. Happy cycling :)

[@plugsocket9432]

My Father had his Audi A1 2L 143PS TDI Black Edition for just over 7 years and wanted to changed and had £32,000 to spend on a car. He looked at the new shape A1 with the 2L 200PS with extras at that sort of money. Then he seen a 3 month old VW GTI TCR 290PS 3 door with 62 miles on the clock and £4,000 of extras on the car for £32,000 and bought it. The TCR is like night and day difference over an A1. I’m glad he went for the TCR.

[@pdwcave]

Well done, sir. You managed to review this car without mentioning the (almost identical but much cheaper) Polo.

[@hsvcommodore4111]

This car is pathetic and shouldn't exist. I hope Audi makes huge financial loses with this car, but just smashing plastic on their small car wasn't expensive

[@Mmoukarii]

Exactly my thoughts, even though I am an Audi fan. Premium manufacturers should't make these dreadful things "just because market wants them", especially when they can make one of the best cars on the road, for example A1 shittycarver RS3, 2-series Tourer M2, GLA A45 AMG etc... Also, these makers are losing their premium image by creating such rubbish and I'm certain that these raised up models are not helping with the coming emissions regulations either. 🙄

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Agreed, it's a joke and I'm actually outraged they have the cheek to charge 28k for this junk on 4 wheels.

[@egirlsareruiningmylife]

@@MrSunnyBhoy I was just saying to my girlfriend, what young person has anything like the money for that crap? I drive a £1500 E46 and love it way too much, but it made me think, which one of my peers can afford something like that?

[@MDUBZ-]

Agree, with all of the above, this isn’t aimed at people who want a great driving experience. Most people will look at the monthly cost: they’ll sell loads.. you need morons buying this crap to subsidise all the R&D required to produce cars that are more interesting that drivers actually want to drive. Take that shirt for example, some people will buy anything :)

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Mmoukarii yeah let’s not make what people want, sounds like a great plan. 🙄🙄🙄

[@drjamjam3188]

Ive got one and its brilliant and i used to test drive for Mercedes not so good in the bends but the 1.0 is very very impressive and brilliant on the motorway

[@grahamnutt8958]

When you said £28000.......... I nearly choked on my beer 🤮🥴. I can think of several better cars that can be purchased....... the A3 being one of them. I can't see much demand for this at all and think that Audi have made a big mistake here 🤔.

[@R-Tap]

Young ladies who just passed their driving test and have a few bob, this is your Mini alternative. Many colours available.

[@jamiefulton918]

Imagine an Audi being pitched as an expensive alternative to a Picanto - ‘premium’ German brands being diluted more and more. Hate the fact this might actually sell😂

[@TheEarlofK]

I can't imagine why anyone other than extremely rich parents would pay £28,000 for a car with all the power of a food mixer; this is badge snobbery at it's very worst, the quantity of much better nearly-new cars for this sort of money, and less, are enormous.

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

That unibrow front end is like the new Mk8 golf. Not a fan Just make it a hot hatch. Forget the micro suv

[@Harpreet06]

Thats way too expensive. I remember I paid around that much or less for a nearly new S3 back in 2017.

[@ryadhasanahmed5443]

Whether you like Germans or not, you can't deny that they RIP people off, a Korean or a Japanese company can offer a similar car with more features for a lot less

[@animalcol1]

Really liked it till £28k......Dick Turpin had the decency to, at least, wear a mask.

[@jondobbs]

They must be chasing MG CityRover sales 😂

[@kim007250]

Price point should be no more than 20k

[@888johnmac]

ooh that white Quattro .. you tease James .. and £28k for a city - runabout ??

[@dariopiovani5077]

The whole "sequential gearbox turned the wrong way" argument cracked me up for good. Seriously though, you're right.

[@simonburleigh1872]

James, putting the shift up for up and down for down is a VAG thing, I had this on my 06 Golf. To me that is my preferance, logical up for up down for down, take it out of drive and down for the bend in one slick movement, easy!

[@kofib3]

That name "City Carver" seems to remind me of an electric carving knife 🤔

[@robertebob3596]

28K WOW thats Golf gti money , are they serious.

[@anyau]

You couldn't pay me to own one

[@MiniEggs1999]

I hope a mk3 L&K Skoda Superb makes this series as a poor mans E class

[@brianiswrong]

Brilliant car.

[@martin-1965]

Nice review Jay, and confirmed I made the right choice in going for the 2020 Seat Leon FR 1.5 which I ordered this week. I want a hatchback that knows it's a hatchback. The A1 is trying to be a bit SUV, a bit hatch, a bit supermini and while almost anything Audi is never going to be rubbish, if I had to get an Audi in that class, I would go for the Q2 anyday as that's a really fun drive.

[@ristekostadinov2820]

Please review the Renault Twingo, the only rear mid engine rear wheel drive city car hatchback that you can buy today.

[@VRSProductionsInc]

Who else didn’t know this even existed?

[@SoulTouchMusic93]

Given the price, spec and hp I wish I wouldn't have found out.

[@taotoo2]

Shouldn't it be 20k tops?

[@ps36081]

Young Tarquin to drive himself to boarding school! Best line ever

[@ryadhasanahmed5443]

Any Savagegeese subscibers/viewers here? That guy perfectly explains what's wrong with the Automotive industry with cars like the one shown in the video, I think people watching this now should check him out

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I enjoy his vids

[@chrisogrady28]

My takeaway, the armrest is £700 extra

[@sparky4878]

Cringe. For starters I don’t think much of Audi’s and hate SUVs or anything trying to be one by jacking up the suspension. Just pointless and over priced.

[@colin79666]

Try the Suzuki Ignis. Priced more like the Kia Picanto, higher up position if that is what you want, pretty nippy as lightweight and does everything a city car needs to with excellent mpg and no turbo needed.

[@Malc180s]

I was walking along the street the other day and my partner, who rarely mentions cars unless it's something like a Jeep Wrangler, said she "what's that?", pointing at one of these. I assumed it was an A1, but it wasn't. Shows what I know. To be honest, it's what the A1 should be. Why bother with the standard car at all?

[@andrewoakley4957]

Ha! I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts on the manual operation being the wrong way round. Don't they ever watch WRC?😉

[@timcollins380]

An armrest as an option? Audi is taking the piss. Anyone who buys this has too much money and not much sense.

[@afish8883]

Id reccomend nezt time maybe looking into civic coupes, ive tried one and they have a lot more road feel than the normal civic and all around seem just a bit different than the normal ones. Plus it's a shooting break so it arguably has a bit of a better look despite the fake vents and then theres fact that its not actually much shorter than normal civic if its smaller at all

[@johnbradshaw5900]

We had one of the original Audi A1's, its USP was superb interior quality which really was a cut above other super-mini type cars. Its drive was competent but nothing special. The new one has gone backwards in terms of cabin quality and was actually quite disappointing when we tried one. In fairness this seems to be true of many new VW and Audi models. I think losing the MMI control dial is a massive step backwards. The drive is still competent without being particularly memorable. The old A1 was expensive but felt rather special, the new one just seems expensive.

[@MClolkroketje]

The weird acceleration when trying to floor it is a gearbox characteristic. My dads 2019 vw Tiguan has the same issue where the gearbox needs to wake up for a few seconds, then spins the wheels for a second and then somewhat slowely starts the go. Also this car is cringe and looks horrible in my opinion, i hate this new crossover look they gave to the fiesta aswell.

[@kernkraft404]

You need to understand that the bulkier carer team leaders need to get to places quick, so this car needs to exist!

[@Rhowhat]

Micro SUV.....I think I felt a little sick come up. Milsano Red is awful too. The price is a joke, just buy an iQ if you want one of the best city cars ever made.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Not content on copying the BL Rover SD1 for the A7, the Allegro for the original A1, and an 1100 on stilts for the Q2, Audi have now decided to copy the Rover Streetwise.......madness! 🤣😂

[@megapangolin1093]

Great video, so pleased you are trying real people's cars. But this is the usual Audi fare- no qualities of note, just 4 rings on the front, no buyer looks at any other aspect of the car, not cares. Give this to a learner driver as a present? We clearly are not facing a recession if that is the case. Fascinating psychology going on with this brand. Give me the Kia any day, especially with the extra cash. Bet the Audi isn't as much fun. Thank you.

[@TheSaint491]

Now let's see a comparison with the polo this car is based on. See if things pan out any better for the audi

[@YegoYTP]

£28,000!!! WHAT!!!??? If I had 28K, I'd buy a mid 90s RX7 and a Ford Capri.

[@andyhunt457]

I do wonder how long it took to come up with that name....city carver!!!! Really is that the best they had..oh dear

[@blarkdexture8899]

CityToddler

[@MClolkroketje]

You should drive the Hyundai i10 N-line when it commes out

[@alexlovelady6310]

28 grand for that. You could get a top spec new Puma for that

[@brianiswrong]

28k 😲 If you must have a small high-rise city car,my money would go on a lightly used fiesta active ecoboost.

[@ryadhasanahmed5443]

Or the upcoming Yaris Cross hybrid, wayyy more reliable and good value for money than anything in it's class🤷‍♂️

[@kevindwyer620]

request do a demo on an mr2 mechanicaly similar to lotus elese there is even one with 2zz motor

[@dominikspilka6604]

Cool video 👍😀!

[@lanmastersassistant659]

No thankyou James, this didn't even deserve your time. I wish you driven it off the White cliffs to send a message back to Audi. I hate all these things and if I had to buy one of have bought the rover streetwise. There's only one car I hate more than this, the ford EcoSport

[@graemecollie9233]

Thanks for the review James. So here is my question, as you've driven an S1 and now this, which from a daily perspective would you have if buying both used? Reason for asking is that I convinced my better half to have our current S1 but she has looked at one of these. For those out there that don't understand the need for such a car, her thought process is that she would like an elevated driving position but doesn't like a big car, a Q2 / Evoque / CLA / Countryman are for her are too big, such people do exist. And being a district nurse her job is driving round the streets all day and the S1 also has proper rear seats for our kids when they need ferrying to school which being honest an Up! or the likes don't. She hates auto boxes so wants a manual which the Citycarver does. So there is logic, Citycarver would give her a vehicle not much bigger than her S1 with an elevated driving position, less if not zero VED (her big bug bear with the S1) and something more modern. But is it worth switching to?

[@Slideslikebutter]

100% no

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It does tick all the boxes you describe but I cant help thinking it is gonna lose a lot more cash than your S1

[@EvoraGT430]

Ultra-cringe.

[@Scuderia2000HD]

I think this car sums up a lot wrong with the car market in 2020: the pointless need for everything to have a crossover variant, and the absurd prices new cars command

[@rustynail6363]

Cringe. Trying to shoehorn kids into a pentionner car and ripping them off @28k, Yikes!

[@andyhunt457]

Lol smell of the seat fabric....they was fabric all over when i was growing up on 70s and 80s....well that and plastic that gets scolding hot..👍👍😁

[@tim1polman]

Iirc this is just the Audi version of the T-Cross? I do get why they build them.. With all the massive SUV's, and cars in general becomming higher and higher,. A higher small car makes sense. I mean, I do feel awefully small in traffic when driving my Corrado. The 116hp 3cil is a pretty good enginge. Had it in my Polo company car (with a manual gearbox) it does sound good, like a entheusiastic terrier. Its just a 3 cil after all. With the manual it was pretty nippy. The biggest downside is that up to 1500 revs, the engine has NOTHING. After that the turbo kicks in, and its plenty quick. The massive downside of a turbocharged micro engines

[@aaronbiggin1103]

Rover were years ahead of the tend with the streetwise urban on roader looks like this cars grandad.

[@jamesmaple6437]

What’s the difference between the sport back and city carver models?

[@richardmelchers2938]

Such a letdown when so called posh cars don't even have leather seats.

[@PaulTC777]

28k for a raised Seat Ibiza...

[@pauldavies7469]

Jay, would you like to do a review on my 2015 manual VW Scirocco R at some point? You are more than welcome to!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Sure! Drop me a line

[@pauldavies7469]

@@JayEmmOnCars will do thanks!

[@Wallygjs]

I had a Seat Ibiza for a while which is basically an A1 with some different clothes on it and I have to say it was the worst car I have ever had the displeasure of driving, it made my back ache and I needed a new set of teeth when I got out of it after a long journey as they had been rattled out by the harsh ride.

[@seanhershey3390]

I like it...but I'll never see one in the US

[@MilitaryHistory2011]

These will probably fly out exclusively on finance

[@rosstee]

I can't stand Audi's similar Q2 - basically an A3 raised up with slightly squarer, less attractive styling. What is wrong with people these days that nobody seems to care about driving and half the cars produced are shitty faux-SUVs which will never go off-road and wouldn't be any good even if they did. Audi have been safe and unexciting to drive for some time but at least they produced solid, good looking cars. Now even that seems to be slipping.

[@roymoorman5990]

I think sensible people will look for something with a little less depreciation in this class. The only reason this has to exist is to meet the average emission goals of the manufacturer.

[@roseb3387]

Don’t like SUV’s anyway, but these city crossover things are just stupid. The normal hatch of all these types of cars, regardless of manufacturer all look better and are equally practical. I just don’t see the point of them. Either you need a proper sized SUV or you need an estate or you need a small hatch. This is none of them?

[@lash9400]

Not a fan, if I really needed a small city cat with a premium badge, I’d get the A1 with a manual box

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

Without even watching the video..... Cringe. Its a modern Audi and in my book they are all cringe..... Nothing posher about a mass produced car.

[@glideman]

It's strange that people view cars like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes as quality cars. I think they are more like perceived quality. If you look at the reliability of these cars compared to cars from Kia with a cheaper price, sometimes half the cost of the Germans which have far worse reliability they are not quality cars. They also have half the warranty on some German cars, for twice the price! You also get nothing in a standard German car, they come with no extras. By the time you spec one up they can be in the next category of car.

[@XbillabongjohnX]

The answer to most what car should I get is lexus gs300

[@davidhayes4814]

Reminds me slightly of the City Rover..... well maybe only a bit.... one niche too far..

[@batur9645]

E X T R A C R I N G G E

[@harryc266]

£28 grand for a 3 cylinder a1 is insane. Just buy a Q2. You can get a top trim black edition for under 30k. There is no reason for this car to exist.

[@Slideslikebutter]

That's got to be the most Rover looking interior I've ever seen

[@FROOB202]

NEARLY £30k are you fucking kidding me? Every time I see new prices for cars these days my jaw just drops. You could have an individual spec, low mileage 2017 BMW 640d for

[@kingoneeyed3433]

28K WTAF?

[@DashDriver-z1r]

Audi pricing just shows their average customer is a mug! 28k for that

[@ciaranburke3243]

How much 😯

[@ianmead7712]

Nice small car but never gonna sell at 28k there are much cheaper cars for far less money I think ford Kia Vauxhall Skoda seat and vw will be laughing and feeling very safe for me

[@MachoMadness69420]

The 1.0 TSI is actually a really good engine - with a manual gearbox. I’d stick my neck out and say that it’s currently one of VW’s best engines. Ironically the 1.0 TSI with the 7 speed DSG gearbox is pretty much the worst engine/gearbox combination at the same time 😂

[@andrejusgerasimovas1586]

28k really?

[@Christian---]

No matter how hard they try Audi isn't Lamborghini. It's like every single car now has to be a Huracan.

[@dogchainsaw3923]

Lamborghini is a Audi lmao. I hope you know Audi owns Lamborghini.

[@Christian---]

@@dogchainsaw3923 Much like a LaFerrari is a Fiat Panda. Blow me

[@graygamingps4503]

@@Christian--- Well I would argue a Lamborghini Huracan and Audi R8 are slightly more closely related than a LaFerrari and a Fiat Panda

[@Christian---]

@@graygamingps4503 Does that mean it's fine for every single VAG car to be styled so edgy you could cut yourself ln the body panels? That every Nissan product now consisting of Vs here and Vs there, coasting on racing successes that happened 30 years ago, before becoming Renaults gloryhole is justifiable? The mass consumer would say yes, giving the wrong answer as they always do.

[@graygamingps4503]

@@Christian--- I'm unsure what you mean, are you saying they look too similar?

[@markwright3161]

You could do better using that £28k as toilet paper.

[@andrewradford1334]

What are Audi doing with their naming of cars ? They have introduced a number to the naming that has no direct meaning or relation to anything. To this car they have also added a name reminiscent of the 2003 Tata derived Rover CityRover. They have then built something nobody needs or asked for. Are they in some-sort of marketing rut ? Perhaps this is what happens when they all work from home with poor quality inbuilt laptop webcam and microphones for prolonged periods!

[@DarkStryder360]

The price is staggering. People will pay it though sadly.

[@shaunhockley]

How much money? You must be joking...