Car Statistics: Audi - A1 Series 10 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

Certainly not retro and certainly not flamboyant, but the A1?s stocky coupe proportions are distinctly unisex and won?t offend anyone. LED running and rear lights are the jewels in the crown. Optional two-tone roof pillars mimic Mini and Skoda Fabia.

Handling (3 stars)

Within the city the A1 feels well damped and nimble enough, but push it on open roads and the signature Audi understeer becomes apparent. The electronic diff helps, but it's no 500 Abarth or Cooper.

Comfort (5 stars)

Audi prides itself on quiet cabins, and the A1 is no different. There's an air of maturity that belies its size.

Quality (5 stars)

Audi's trump card is its reassuring robustness and sumptuous interiors. The design, steering wheel and materials feel like you could be sat inside an A4 or A6 - which is no bad thing.

Performance (3 stars)

The 7-speed S tronic provides faster acceleration and better mpg. It makes sense for urban drivers wanting to conserve their clutch leg. Fastest A1 is 122ps 1.4 TFSI S tronic but expect a hot S1 to be in the pipeline.

Roominess (5 stars)

It's a four-seater for four real adults. A 6ft 3-inch passenger can sit behind a 6ft 3-inch driver with just enough legroom. Tall rear passengers will find their hair generates static from the sloping rear roof pillars though.

Costs (4 stars)

With best in class fuel economy, decent predicted residual values, and a 5 year / 50k mile service plan for only £250, the A1 is sure to attract would-be Mini consumers.

Value (4 stars)

A high entry-level price for the supermini sector is justified by a decent level of kit - alloy wheels, air conditioning and remote locking are all standard.

Stereo (4 stars)

We like the manually deployable 6.5-inch screen which emerges from the dash. MMI 3G+ is straight from the £60k+ A8 and 465watt 14-speaker Bose system (both optional) but decent 6-speaker stereo and iPod connection standard.