Audi A1 vs Mini One Hatch vs Ford Fiesta: Which one has the lowest running costs?

By Chad Lückhoff

 

We compare the running costs of three popular compact hatches including warranties and service plans.

The A1 is an attractive B-segment compact hatch from German manufacturer, Audi. With its diminutive dimensions and stylish packaging, it's an appealing offering, but how much will it cost to run?

While there is no accounting for the individual way in which an owner will experience their car, we can offer up some insight as to how it fares against its competitors. In this case the Mini One Hatch 3-door auto and the Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi – the most efficient offerings from both Mini and Ford, in the One and Fiesta ranges. We compare it against the most efficient Audi A1 offering, the Sportback 1.0 TFSI S.

This comparison does away with the variables such as driving style, traffic and maintenance and focusses on the figures.

Stop/Start technology

It's worth noting that the Audi A1 is the only offering of the three to be fitted with City Stop/Start technology which can further reduce the overall fuel consumption.

Burning oil

The Ford Fiesta is a left-field approach as it is the only one that employs a diesel engine. The others do not have a diesel variant on offer and instead, aim to save fuel by using a compact 3-cylinder engine.

Smooth shifter

The Mini is the only offering of these three to be more efficient with an automatic gearbox and as such, the One Hatch 3-door Auto is the model selected for comparison here.

Audi A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSI

Engine type: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 70 kW

Torque: 160 Nm

CO2 emissions: 97g/km

Fuel consumption (avg): 4.2l/100km (claimed)

Warranty: 1 year / Unlimited km

Service/maintenance plan: 5 year / 100 000km Maintenance

Price: R304 500

Mini One Hatch 3-door Auto

Engine type: 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 75 kW

Torque: 190 Nm

CO2 emissions: 109g/km

Fuel consumption (avg): 4.8l/100km (claimed)

Warranty: 2 years / Unlimited km

Service/maintenance plan: 3 years / 75 000km Maintenance

Price: R334 000

Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Trend

Engine type: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power: 63 kW

Torque: 175 Nm

CO2 emissions: 84g/km

Fuel consumption (avg): 3.3l/100km (claimed)

Warranty: 4 years / 120 000km

Service/maintenance plan: 4 years / 60 000km Service

Price: R300 900

The Ford Fiesta returns the best fuel consumption thanks to its diesel engine and thus yields the greatest range of the three as well. Its low CO2 emissions mean less tax is charged at the time of purchase as well.

The Ford also presents a stronger argument for warranty and service plan (as opposed to a maintenance plan) where the potential mileage will need to be considered before signing on the dotted line. Extended plans can be purchased from Audi and Mini though.