Tested: Audi A1 vs Mini Hatch vs Volkswagen Polo

In practical terms, the Mini has the most usable cargo space – but the least accommodating driving position. Rear-seat passengers get the poorest deal in the A1, while the Polo provides the best view of the world around you.

Out on the road, it’s no real contest in terms of power – with the Mini’s engine being 50% bigger than the others’, anything else would be a shock.

Even so, the 1.0-litre engine shared between the other two is no mug. It needs more revs, of course, but it doesn’t object to being spun up, giving the A1 and Polo a zesty turn of pace around town and even on the open road.

The Mini is the driver’s car of the trio when you come to a set of corners. It’s an eager, positive car to steer, with nimble suspension and taut body control that responds well to being thrown around but also retains an impressive degree of composure when you hit bumps.

Again, though, the surprise is how close a contest it becomes when you ask the same questions of the others. In this case, it’s the Audi that’ll cling resolutely to the Mini’s back bumper like a cat chasing a squirrel.

The Polo, on the other hand, is fitted with skinny tyres (a consequence of being a Bluemotion model) and can’t match the others for grip. It beats them both for ride comfort and refinement, though, and with less rubber sticking to the ground it’s a breeze to steer at low speeds.

It’s also the most economical vehicle here, according to What Car? magazine’s True MPG results. These put it at 56.5mpg, with the Audi at 53.4 and the Mini is 42.6.

So you pays your money and you takes your choice. Talking of which, the Mini is the most expensive car here to buy and own. The Polo is the cheapest if you’re paying cash, but if you’re using finance the A1 works out cheapest over three years.

That’s enough to give it the nod in this contest, but it’s mighty close. The Polo’s Bluemotion trim doesn’t make a strong enough case for itself – but the 1.2 SE has a lower list price, and things might have been different if that was the version on test here.

As for the Mini, it’s a fine and well equipped car. But with the biggest engine and highest price, it needs to be very obviously better then the others – and they’re just too good to let it do that.

Audi A1 Sportback

Engine size: 1.0-litre petrol

Price from: £16,950 (list)

Power: 94bhp

Torque: 118lb ft

0-62mph: 10.9 seconds

Top speed: 116mph

Fuel economy: 53.4mpg

CO2: 97g/km

Mini Hatch 5dr

Engine size: 1.5-litre petrol

Price from: £17,289 (list)

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 162lb ft

0-62mph: 8.9 seconds

Top speed: 129mph

Fuel economy: 42.6mpg

CO2: 109g/km

Volkswagen Polo

Engine size: 1.0-litre petrol

Price from: £15,410 (list)

Power: 94bhp

Torque: 118lb ft

0-62mph: 10.5 seconds

Top speed: 119mph

Fuel economy: 56.5mpg

CO2: 94g/km