Audi A1 vs. VW Polo: which is better?

Pitting the Audi A1 vs. Polo against each other is a bit like comparing Granny Smith with Golden Delicious apples. They’re both apples, they’re both green, but they’re different enough that picking one over the over isn’t always easy.  

At the end of the day, they're both popular with the people who buy them, but most people are always going to favour one over the other. 

But which is best for you? Out of A1 vs. Polo, the apple analogy is finished now. 

Audi A1 vs. VW Polo 

Our guide will answer:  

• Which car has the better styling? 

• Is the Audi A1 or VW Polo better to drive? 

• Does the Audi A1 or VW Polo have better tech? 

• Is the Audi A1 or VW Polo more reliable? 

• What are the Audi A1 vs. VW Polo dimensions? 

Audi A1 vs. Polo: styling 

They may share the same parent company (the Volkswagen Audi Group) and the same platform, but they don’t look exactly the same by any stretch.  

The Audi A1 does have a much more aggressive look to it thanks to its angular headlights and slight gap where the bonnet meets the front of the car. 

This design carries through to the rest of the car where you can see sharp contours along the doors and a squat rear. 

Whereas the VW Polo instantly looks more grown up. It has a front LED lightbar that spans the length of the front grille, as well as sharp rear LED brake lights to complete the look. 

Audi A1 vs. Polo: what are they like to drive? 

Get behind the wheel of the A1 and you’re greeted by a nippy supermini that feels far faster than it should be, making nipping in and around town a doddle. 

If you live in a town or city, one of these is really easy to get on board with in either a six-speed manual or S-tronic automatic guises. 

Then, when you reach motorway speeds, it continues to impress, especially with its 1.0-litre petrol engine with either 94hp or 116hp and up to 52mpg. 

The Polo is just the same, offering plenty of hatchback-like fun while also being competent on both faster roads and around town.  

The engine we’d choose is the basic 95hp 1.0-litre petrol engine that returns up to 54.2mpg and offers a really smooth driving experience. 

Audi A1 vs. Polo: interior and technology 

When it comes to the interiors of these two, it used to be an obvious choice; you’d go for the Audi because it was posher, but things have changed and now we’re not sure. 

What made the Audi A1’s interior so great was the general fit and finish, tech, and compact design, but now the Polo has something very similar. 

Both cars get a central infotainment screen, with the Audi’s measuring in at 10.1 inches and the VW’s 6.5 inches.  

They both have digital driver’s displays, with the A1 getting Audi’s famed 10.3-inch Virtual Cockpit andthe Polo having a 10-inch one in the top spec trim. 

Audi A1 vs. Polo: safety and reliability 

Safety is a high priority for hatchback owners because physics means a small car is subject to more damage in a crash when compared to a larger car. That’s just a fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHC). 

But VW and Audi have been clever to help mitigate this by fitting their cars with a range of onboard safety features. 

These include braking and stability systems, a whole host of airbags, ISOFIX child seat fittings, tyre pressure monitors, and more. 

Following their most recent Euro NCAP safety tests (2017 for the Polo and 2019 for the A1), both cars scored a full five stars, proving these systems work well. 

These scores are out of date now, and Euro NCAP has released a stricter set of regulations, but they’re a good sign that both cars are safe and sound. 

Reliability is very much the same with both cars using reliable turbocharged petrol engines. And if there’s one thing for certain, both brands seriously know how to make a long-lasting car from the get-go. 

Audi A1 vs. Polo: boot space and practicality 

Hatchbacks are never really known for boot space and practicality, especially ‘superminis’ like these, but you may be surprised to hear the space of these cars. 

The A1 has a 335-litre boot space and the Polo gets 351 litres (just short of the Golf’s 381). This means there’s plenty of room for a couple of small suitcases or a whole weekly food shop – what more do you really need? 

The same can be said for the cabin which is full of unique storage solutions and cubbies to put sunglasses, tissues, bottles etc. 

Audi A1 vs. Polo: dimensions 

2024 Audi A1 

• Length: 4,029mm 

• Width: 1,740mm 

• Height: 1,409mm 

• Boot space: 335 litres (1,090 with the rear seats folded) 

2024 VW Polo 

• Length: 4,074mm 

• Width: 1,751mm 

• Height: 1,435mm 

• Boot space: 351 litres (1,125 with the rear seats folded) 

Verdict: Audi A1 vs. Polo: which should you buy? 

Choosing between the Audi A1 and VW Polo might not be an easy choice anymore, but hopefully, you’re now armed with all the info you need to make it. 

Both cars offer incredible value with loads of tech, comfort and performance, so you can’t really go wrong, but here’s a final overview. 

You should buy a used Audi A1 if... 

• You want a (slightly) more luxurious interior 

• The Audi badge is important to you 

• You want a smaller car for cities 

You should buy a used VW Polo if... 

• You want a larger boot 

• You’re not fussed with fancy tech 

• Practicality is important to you 

Read more:

• Read our Audi A1 review

• Read our VW Polo review