An Alfa Romeo Mito, Audi A1 or a DS 3
Compact driving and want to distinguish yourself from the rest? It has always been possible with a Lancia Ypsilon or, for example, with the richly equipped Baccara and Gentry versions of Renault (5, Clio) and Peugeot (205) respectively. Later, BMW came up with the New Mini. That turned out to be a prelude to a wave of new premium compacts. The Mini Countryman was already discussed a few weeks ago, so we now present you three alternatives to a regular Mini.
The similarity between the Audi A1, Alfa Romeo Mito and (Citroën) DS 3? All three tried to saw the chair legs of the successful Mini, but none were very successful. Especially for BMW competitor Audi, that will have been a hard blow after previous flops in the smaller class (50, A2). No A1, Mito or 3 desired or is the budget insufficient? Then you can still go to the old Ypsilon!
Audi A1 1.4TFSI Ambition Pro Line aut. – 2011 – 130,761 kilometers – 12,450 euros
Where BMW introduced a – indeed – new concept with the New Mini in 2001, Audi could happily shop for its competing little one on the shelves of Volkswagen and larger Audis. Yet it took until 2010 before the A1 saw the light of day. Based on the Polo, the A1 was given the then prevailing Audi signature, supplemented with some frivolities, such as roof arches that were optionally painted in a different color. Yet the A1 cannot completely disguise its Polo origins, something that the Fabia and Ibiza have managed better. Inside, however, it is already Audi that strikes the clock. If we step into this Audi A1, which is offered in Rotterdam, we notice the A3-like dashboard, which seems to be carved out of granite. The fits are tight, the build quality is high, the materials used look expensive. However, it is more business-like and somewhat sterile than frivolous. With the 2-ZSR-38 (built in 2011, from 2015 in the Netherlands and since then, according to the RDW, had no less than six owners, so it is nice that it is delivered with a Bovag guarantee) the roof arches provide a cheerful note.
Our model has a 1.4 TFSI in combination with the 7-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission. This means that Audi’s smallest of these three used cars offers the most tranquility on board and the best performance. The modified Polo chassis can handle it well. Don’t expect Mini handling, it’s mainly sturdy and confidence-inspiring. As a Pro Line, this occasion offers all goodies as they were commonplace in 2011. The first – German – owner has supplemented that with pleasant options such as navigation and heated seats. In the back, the A1 is tighter than the Mito and the 3, in terms of operating costs, the A1 seems a bit more expensive (consumption, garage bills). In short, even as a used car that you mainly buy because of its maturity and the four rings and less on rational grounds. But doesn’t the latter actually apply to all three of these cars?
Signaling
Brand Audi
Type A1 1.4 TFSI Ambition Pro Line
Construction year 2011
Mileage 130,761
Asking price €12,450
Where to buy? Dealer occasions Troost en Zonen, Rotterdam
Technical data
engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,390 cc
max. assets 90 kW/123 hp
max. couple 200 Nm
Luggage room 270 – 920 l
max. trailer braked 1,200 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 18.9
0-100km/h 8.9s
Top speed 203 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Alfa Romeo Mito Turbo TwinAir Eco Super – 2018 – 113,735 kilometers – 12,495 euros
For a few tens more, this Alfa Romeo Mito, offered by a brand specialist in Emmen, is on your doorstep. That additional price seems well spent, because the Italian is no less than seven years younger than the A1 and even enjoys a factory warranty this year. The body warranty also still applies (until 2026, the 3 until 2028, which of the A1 has expired). The Mito is based on the Fiat Punto, but both in terms of body (with beautiful 8C details such as the rear lights), chassis (firmly adjusted suspension and damping, limited slip differential) and interior (dashboard with clear Alfa characteristics, including DNA switch for different driving modes) you will hardly notice it.
Rear passengers have just a little more space than those in the back of the A1. However, the German is also available as a five-door Sportback if desired, the Mito and DS 3 are only available as a three-door hatchback. Two owners have covered almost 114,000 kilometers together. Sporty kilometers that is, because the Mito exudes sportiness from all pores. Some things look attractive, but the A1 feels more high-quality inside.
Two-cylinder setback
Moreover, that sportiness is somewhat at the expense of comfort. The biggest disadvantage of this occasion, however, is that the TwinAir of Fiat is bubbling in the front. Such a block fits well with the convex 500 and is also historically justified, but in an Alfa it feels a bit dreary. Its pulling power is especially disappointing. However, the engine is very speed-ready, and that is Alfa! Let it tempt you, then the official consumption of 1 to 23.8 is far away. Timely maintenance with the right oil is mandatory, but that also applies to the T(F)SI and the PureTech of the competition. Modern features such as digital radio and an electrically operated tailgate round off the image of a contemporary occasion, of which we see the consistent application of sporty elements as a plus, but where the two-cylinder is a bit dissonant in the whole.
Signaling
Brand Alfa Romeo
Type Mito 0.9 TwinAir
Construction year 2018
Mileage 113,735
Asking price €12,495
Where to buy? Car company Henk van Boven BV, Emmen
Technical data
engine 2-cyl., 875 cc
max. assets 74 kW/101 hp
max. couple 145 Nm
Luggage room 270 – 950 l
max. trailer braked 500kg
Avg. consumption 1 in 26.3
0-100km/h 11.4s
Top speed 182 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
DS 3 110 PureTech Business – 2016 – 106,594 kilometers – 11,750 euros
When it comes to personalization, Citroën has copied Mini’s trick with its DS 3, because the Frenchman (once part of the brand with the double chevron, later independent) was also available in many colors (combinations) and with various stickers. . In the far northwest of our country we find this DS 3 at a brand specialist, which, except for the different colored mirror caps, hubcaps and roof, looks a bit boring. It is a bit older than the Mito, but with fewer kilometers and slightly cheaper. Here too you can hardly see the relationship with the sister model – the C3. It is a bit firmer on the wheels and therefore lends itself to more enthusiastic driving behavior, without compromising on comfort. In fact, of these three occasions, the JR-279-G (three previous owners and, like A1 and Mito, offered with a Bovag warranty) offers the most comfort, not least thanks to the very pleasant furniture, on which you can last for a long time.
In addition, this opportunity offers overall the most interior and luggage space. After a four and a two-cylinder, we see a three-cylinder under the hood of the DS 3, namely the PureTech block. The reliability of this has improved a lot over the years, but – we repeat it again – timely maintenance with correct oil is necessary. Switching is fairly tight via a five-speed gearbox (the Mito has six gears), performance and consumption are between the Audi and the Alfa. With things like rain and light sensor, folding exterior mirrors and privacy glass at the back, the DS 3 is quite up to date. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the Euro NCAP score. At the time, it was already mediocre with three stars. The A1 and the Mito scored five stars. It is actually the only real flaw that we can discover with this occasion. For the rest, it is perhaps the most all-round of the three premium compacts portrayed.
Signaling
Brand DS
Type 3 110 PureTech
Construction year 2016
Mileage 103,500
Asking price €11,750
Where to buy? Car company Ter Veer, Spijk
Technical data
engine 3-cyl. in-line, 1,199 cc
max. assets 81 kW/110 hp
max. couple 205 Nm
Luggage room 285 – 980 l
max. trailer braked 1,150 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 23.3
0-100km/h 9.6s
Top speed 190km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which compact premium hatchback is right for you?
In summary: with the Audi A1 you get the most mature occasion at home. Do take into account operating costs given the brand and age/history. It’s also tight in the back. The Mito is much more playful and – especially Alfa Romeo – clearly more focused on sportiness than comfort. Dissonant with this is his two-cylinder. The DS 3 does little wrong and is therefore perhaps the most all-round. The downside here is its mediocre safety score. What would your choice be?
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl