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An admirable effort to bring the engineering values of one of Germany finest carmakers to a wider audience. Poor suspension lets it down.

• Comfort

  Over small bumps the ride is pretty lumpy, especially in the S-Line models. Over bigger potholes and ridges it has a travel that the Mini lacks, so never really punishes you.

  

• Performance

  The A1 comes with three turbocharged engines - 1.2 and 1.4 petrols, plus a 1.6 diesel. The latter is a bit gruff and none too lively. In a car with sports ambitions, 0-62mph in 10.5 secs doesn't really cut it. But at least the torque spread is wide and even, so you can relax about timing your gearshifts. Only five gears in the 'box too, and a slow shift with it. Luckily, things are better on the petrol front: the 122bhp 1.4 TSi is much more agreeable and has a lowdown torque, a sweetness high up and easily beats a petrol Mini Cooper for real-world acceleration, thanks to its turbo.

  

• Cool

  Fsahionistas will love it, but it's just a Polo with a posh badge on the nose.

  

• Quality

  The cabin is beautifully made and solid, but it's all a bit conservative, unless you tart it up with some of the expensive alternative colours for the seats, air-vent bezels and centre console.

  

• Handling

  This car has a gummy, unenthusiastic suspension. It's got none of the vivacity you find in a Mini or DS3. It's vicefree and stable, feeling more like an A4-sized car really. The steering is accurate but overdamped, and it turns out Audi took over the Polo's platform and simple suspension pretty much wholesale. The only suspension components they altered were the elastic parts: springs, dampers and bushes. It sits lower and the track is wider because of different wheels, bit it just feels over-tyred and unsophisticated. Grippy but unengaging. We prefer the more fluent honesty of the Polo.

  

• Practicality

  The A1 is a three-door only but rear space is good for two while access into the back is excellent. The bootspace is better than a Mini's but that's not saying much. A Citroen DS3 has far more. That's especially true with the diesel, whose boot is eaten up by a rear-mounted battery to balance out the weight distribution.

  

• Running costs

  Every model offers excellent running costs, with low CO2 emissions and high fuel economy. Best is the 1.6 TDI with 105g/km and 70.6mpg, but both the 1.2 and 1.4 twin-clutch auto duck 120g/km.