The 10 best Audi A1 alternatives in 2024
August 30, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
If you’re in the market for a small hatchback with a touch of class, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the Audi A1. It’s a great option if you’re after comfort, style and all the latest tech, however it won’t appeal to everyone.
You might find that it’s a bit pricey, or maybe you’re after something a bit more fun to drive. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best Audi A1 alternatives, as well as five interesting used cars you could have for similar money.
The 10 best Audi A1 alternatives are:
- Mini Cooper
- Volkswagen Polo GTI
- Skoda Fabia
- Fiat 500 Electric
- Mazda CX-30
- Lexus LBX
- Audi A3
- Renault Clio
- Volvo EX30
- Peugeot 308
1. Mini Cooper
If stand-out styling is a high priority for you, look no further than the Mini Cooper. It’s a fabulous-looking small car, and it’s just as lovely inside as well where you’ll find an array of funky fabrics and the staple Mini circular infotainment screen.
Practicality is the Mini’s biggest drawback, with a tiny boot and cramped rear seats making it less than ideal as a family runaround, but it’ll certainly put a smile on your face through the corners thanks to the sharp handling.
2. Volkswagen Polo GTI
Maybe you’re after something a bit more sporty – there’s no hot version of the Audi A1 after all. Well the Volkswagen Polo GTI scratches that itch while still being comfortable and easy to live with. The 2.0-litre petrol engine puts out 207hp, meaning it feels pretty brisk.
It’s not the most engaging hot hatchback to drive – a Hyundai i20 N will put a bigger smile on your face, but the Polo feels like a much more premium product inside and it comes packed with tech as standard.
3. Skoda Fabia
Putting our sensible hats on for a moment, the Skoda Fabia is a great option if you’re looking for maximum practicality from your small car. It has a massive boot – 45 litres bigger than the A1’s – and there’s plenty of space in the back seats as well.
It’s not quite as glamorous as the Audi, but the Fabia is a smart-looking car nonetheless and it’s available with the same range of punchy and fuel-efficient engines as the A1. It’s really comfortable to drive as well.
4. Fiat 500 Electric
If the thought of EV motoring has piqued your interest, why not check out the Fiat 500 Electric. This chic and stylish city car will not only turn heads, it’ll also cost peanuts to run and it’s nippy around town.
The 500 has the same issues as the Mini Cooper in terms of practicality thanks to a very small boot and back seats, but it’s pretty practical up front and the driving range is decent for a car of this size.
5. Mazda CX-30
SUVs are very on-trend these days, but not everyone wants to go for a massive family bus. If you fall into this camp then the Mazda CX-30 is a good middle ground. It’s slightly raised up over a traditional hatchback, but it’s not actually much bigger than an Audi A1.
It’s a good-looking thing as well, although that swoopy styling does come at the expense of rear headroom and boot space. Look beyond this though and you’ll have a smart small SUV which is great fun to drive and has a lovely interior.
6. Lexus LBX
Also falling into the category of jacked-up hatchbacks is the Lexus LBX. Like the CX-30 it’s a great-looking car, and it comes with a very fuel efficient hybrid engine which will save you loads of money at the pumps.
Interior space is at a premium here, although the LBX does have a bigger boot than the A1. The cabin is very well screwed together as well – you’d never be able to tell that this is essentially a Toyota Yaris Cross in a fancy suit.
7. Audi A3
For the same price as a range-topping Audi A1 you could have a more modestly-specced version of its bigger brother – the Audi A3. Not only does this offer more interior space, it;s also more comfortable to drive and the interior is more modern as well.
To keep the prices similar you will have to settle with the entry-level Sport version of the A3, meaning it doesn’t have the same visual appeal as an A1 S-Line with its upgraded bodykit and larger alloy wheels, but it’s a better car in almost every measurable way – which comes as no surprise seeing as it sits above the A1 in Audi’s lineup.
8. Renault Clio
The Renault Clio brings some French flair to the small car market with its bold styling, and it feels very posh inside for such an affordable model. It’s not quite as solidly built as the A1, but it isn’t far off.
It’s also better value for money than the Audi, with a lower starting price and generous standard equipment. The boot is massive as well, although the rear seats are on the small side.
9. Volvo EX30
You might not think you can get a premium electric SUV for the same price as an Audi A1, but the Volvo EX30 isn’t very far off. It costs almost exactly the same as a top-of-the-range A1, and it has plenty to offer as well.
It looks fantastic, both inside and out, and there’s loads of safety tech on board as well. The boot and rear seats are quite small though, and the complete lack of buttons inside takes some getting used to.
10. Peugeot 308
Peugeot is on a roll recently, with the brand churning out great-looking cars with the most stylish interiors in the business. The 308 is a practical family hatchback with more interior space than the Audi A1, and the cabin is very nearly as classy.
The engines on offer aren’t quite as smooth as the ones you get from Audi, and Peugeot’s signature tiny steering wheel won’t work for everyone. If it works for you though then the 308 is a comfortable way to cruise around.
Five used Audi A1 alternatives
There are loads of interesting options on the used market for Audi A1 money. We’ve browsed Carwow’s second-hand offerings with a budget of £30,000 or less, the cost of a nicely-specced Audi A1, to bring you a list of the best used alternatives.
The best used alternatives to the Audi A1 are:
1. Audi S3
For the same price as an Audi A1, you could drive away in the Audi S3. This posh hot hatch has a 310hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, and it’ll do 0-60mph in just 4.8 seconds. This blistering turn of speed comes wrapped in a practical hatchback body with a big boot and plenty of interior space.
At the time of writing we found a 2021 example with 41,200 miles on the clock for £29,950. It won’t be as cheap to run as an Audi A1, and it’s not the most exciting-sounding hot hatch, but it’s still great fun to drive thanks to the all-wheel drive grip.
2. Volvo XC40 Recharge
You can get a lot of electric SUV for £30,000, with the Volvo XC40 Recharge being a great example. We found a 2021 Pro model which has covered 26,000 miles for £29,490, and it’s a great-looking car for the money.
You get 257 miles of range, a big boot and loads of safety kit as standard, although the infotainment system is starting to show its age now. At least there are still physical buttons in the cabin – unlike in the new Volvo EX30.
3. BMW M135i
Moving back to hot hatches, the BMW M135i is great fun to drive and it’s quick as well. The 2.0-litre petrol engine puts out 306hp, and it’ll do 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. It’s front-wheel drive – unlike the Audi S3 – but it’s still an enjoyable car to sling through the bends.
A quick search on Carwow uncovered a 15,300-mile M135i from 2021 for just £26,200, the same price as a mid-range Audi A1. Not bad when you consider the amount of kit you get, and it’s a sporty-looking thing as well thanks to the big wheels and aggressive-looking bodykit.
4. Range Rover Evoque
Few cars stand out like the Range Rover Evoque. It’s an effortlessly cool SUV thanks to the sleek styling, and the interior is a lovely place to spend time. We found a 2020 Evoque with 26,000 miles on the clock for £28,390.
It’s not as practical as a lot of SUVs on the market, with a small boot and cramped rear seats letting the side down, but this is the price you pay for the sporty styling. It’s comfortable to drive as well, and you get loads of tech as standard.
5. Toyota GR Yaris
It’s a bit left-field, but if you want the maximum amount of fun for your £30,000 the Toyota GR Yaris is pretty hard to beat. It’s a rally-bred hot hatchback with a powerful 1.6-litre engine and a slick six-speed manual gearbox – a recipe for a good time on a country road.
It has four-wheel drive, meaning there’s an abundance of grip in slippery conditions, and the steering is really sharp and direct. We found a 2021 model with 10,700 miles on it for £29,950. It may not be anywhere near as posh inside as an Audi, but it’ll put a much bigger smile on your face.
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