SAYS

Although it’s usefully cheaper than the A1 to buy at two years old, the Mini is too inconsistent in its overall performance to get the nod here. It may have top-notch interior quality and a strong engine, but the way it drives is actually a bit of a letdown.

The A1’s most notable strength is how stress-free it is to drive, thanks to its soft ride and hushed air on the motorway.with far fewer weaknesses than the Mini, it’s worth spending the extra to buy it, knowing that its stronger residual values will actually claw back that money in the long term.

Audi A1 Sportback For Smoother ride; tidy handling; quieter at high speeds; stronger resale values Against Poorly equipped; doesn’t feel any more premium than the Volkswagen Polo