Why Lease The A1 Sportback?
by: Fergus GrayFergus is a talented automotive writer specialising in automotive and sports content. He has a Level 3 qualification in content creation and previously worked for Boxxer and The Best of Bolton.
Audi A1 Sportback 2022
The Audi A1 Sportback is the perfect urban car. It's stylish, comfortable and is one of the most upmarket superminis on the market. It's also easy to drive and is suitable for long adventures with a good range of petrol engines.
Rivals to the Audi A1 include the Volkswagen Polo, MINI hatchback, Seat Ibiza and Ford Fiesta.
Our Audi A1 Sportback review covers:
Audi A1 Sportback Key Features
- Striking sporty design characteristics with a low-sitting single-frame grille
- Compact yet spacious interior with premium materials used throughout
- 335-litre boot, which expands to 1,090 litres with the rear seats folded
- Available with a broad choice of engines, all of them petrol
- Four trim levels including Technik, Sport, S Line and Black Edition
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The Audi A1 Sportback has a distinctly sporty and dynamic design with its wide, low-sitting single-frame grille and flanked side air inlets that captivate onlookers. The intake-ridden front end and sloping rear make the A1 Sportback look far sportier than a MINI hatchback or Volkswagen Polo.
Inside, despite its compact dimensions, there is ample leg and headroom for you and your passengers to ride comfortably. Plenty of premium materials are used throughout, which gives the A1 a luxurious feel.
As for boot space, the Audi A1 Sportback offers up to 335 litres of capacity, increasing to 1,090 litres with the rear seats folded down. Unfortunately, the rear seats don't quite go flat but are split 60:40.
Interior and Trims
The A1 Sportback’s interior looks and feels posh, which makes it one of the most upmarket superminis on the market.
The interior is brimming with intelligent technologies, including a high-resolution all-digital instrument cluster, a Digital Cockpit display and a multifunction steering wheel as standard.
One of the major selling points of the A1 is that it has a fantastic infotainment system as standard. It also has the latest driver assistance systems, safety technology, and the newest generation voice control for clear dialogue between you and your ride.
Four trim levels are available, including Technik, Sport, S Line and Black Edition.
The entry-level Technik trim comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights and an 8.8-inch MMI infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring.
The Sport model includes an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth seats, and LED headlights. It also adds 16-inch alloy wheels and sportier seats, and grille designs.
The S Line comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and a more aggressive body kit to Sport's 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and Android Auto, sport cloth seats, and LED headlights.
The top-of-the-range Black Edition has seven-spoke 18-inch alloys plus black highlights, including the side skirts, door mirrors, contrast roof and privacy glass.
Power and Performance
Audi offers the A1 Sportback with a broad choice of engines, all petrol with different power outputs for a smooth, nippy drive.
They include a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit with 94bhp, badged 25 TFSI with a five-speed manual or seven-speed S Tronic auto transmission.
Then there's the 108bhp 30 TFSI, offered with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed S Tronic auto.
The 35 TFSI has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 148bhp coupled to the seven-speed auto transmission.
The S Line Competition version uses a 204bhp 2.0-litre unit, badged 40 TFSI.
The Audi A1 is perfect for nipping to and from town during rush hour as its small size, light controls, and good visibility make it easy to weave through traffic. That said, the A1 is more than capable of longer journeys as it's comfortable and enjoyable to drive on motorways.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Audi A1 Sportback start from £21,210.00 OTR* or to lease from £227.75 per month.
Do you have questions about leasing an Audi A1 Sportback? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the largest car leasing providers in the UK. The manufacturer's warranty, road tax for the duration of the lease, breakdown coverage, and free mainland GB delivery are all included in our car leasing offers (exclusions apply).
Additionally, leasing an Audi A1 Sportback may be less expensive than an outright purchase with a bank loan or dealer finance due to fixed monthly rentals, a low initial investment, variable mileage, and contract terms.
*'On the road' price is correct at the time of publication and includes one year's road fund licence, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change. Always check with your nearest retailer.
