Audi S1 vs Audi A7
What's the difference?

Audi S1

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2015 price

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Audi A7

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2019 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2015 Audi S1

2019 Audi A7

By Peter Anderson

By Matt Campbell

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.1L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Sensational engine
Quattro drivetrain
Great chassis

Glorious to behold
Surprising value
Great safety kit

Dislikes

Price
The interior is a bit dull
Stiff ride

Launching with top-spec petrol only
Still some options to pick
Some tech quibbles on launch

2015 Audi S1 Summary

Spoilt. That's what we are. If you're in the market for a hot hatch, you can have your pick of German-built and French ones from as little as $27,000. There isn't a dud among them now that the VW Polo GTI has had a bit of an update and you can pick and choose your style. Audi's S1 is aiming to be king of the kids with its stiffly-priced S1.

Set the finances aside and consider for a moment what's on offer. As it turns out, a lot.

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2019 Audi A7 Summary

Audi is known as a design-led brand, and arguably no model in the line-up embodies that ethos more than the Audi A7 Sportback.

This all-new version of Audi's largest swoopy five-door hatchback takes the concept of the original first-generation version and, rather than reinventing the idea, reimagines it with a more modern and even more style-focused look, inside and out.

And it's a very convincing execution, indeed.

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Deep dive comparison

2015 Audi S1 2019 Audi A7

Verdict

Cars this small shouldn't be this fast and useable at the same time, but the Audi S1 is. It isn't without its problems - the ride is harder even than the Fiesta ST which might weary some prospective buyers.

It's also a bit difficult to justify the price - in its basic form it's missing a few creature comforts that you'd expect in a $50,000 car - reversing camera, high-res screen, that sort of thing.

However, in the hot hatch world, those things don't matter. It has the bragging rights, the tech and the outright blinding speed to take on the bonkers Focus ST and equally zany Megane RS. And even the Audi S3.

Verdict

The Audi A7 is a really likeable car, one that is heavily focused on style but also emanates substance. The 55 TFSI model will appeal to many, but my initial impression is that the best buy in the range could well be the entry-level 45 TFSI. I can't wait to sample it sometime in 2019.

Audi S1 vs Audi A7 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi S1 vs Audi A7
What's the difference?