Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £15,265 to £26,525
Looks smart, nice cabin, well-built, economical.
Expensive, poor rearward visibility, small boot, not terribly sporting.
Desirable but pricey. Justified by its good road manners and strong resale values.
Audi's A3 is very closely related to the Volkswagen Golf, but it's a little bit posher - and more expensive. This range has now been around since 2003 (the all-new model is expected late 2008 or early 2009) but until the next generation arrives, Audi is updating it with the addition of a new engine or two.
The 1.4 TFSI petrol engine - direct injection, turbocharged - replaces the former 1.6 FSI. It's got an extra 10bhp (125bhp in total) and promises a top speed of 126mph, 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds, 43.5mpg and a carbon dioxide output of 154g/km.
It is available in the A3 hatchback and Sportback, in combination with standard, SE and S line trim levels. With prices from £16,395, it's no cut-price entry-level model, but it is worth shelling out the extra to upgrade to this version from the continuing 102bhp 1.6 (from £15,540), now the cheapest option in the A3 line-up.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Audi A3
wrote on 18 05 2007
wrote on 07 10 2006
wrote on 09 06 2006