Audi A3 (2003-) Review

On the road

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With the exception of the gearchange, which is a little resistant, especially in the case of the six-speed, the Audi is an easy drive - but only if you're going forward. The absurdly big rear pillars make reversing an unwanted challenge and the optional parking sensors an essential fitment. Otherwise, it's good - the controls are light and logically placed, and the four-way adjustable wheel and the seat height adjuster make it easy to find a confidence-boosting driving position.

The A3 is extremely capable, though not really a keen driver's car. Roadholding is impressive - mightily so with the optional 225/45 tyres - and the A3 can bound around corners precisely as aimed. The electrically-assisted steering helps, too; it's accurate and swivels smoothly, although it completely fails to communicate the available grip through its rim. Releasing the accelerator in the middle of a corner or hitting mid-corner bumps does little to unsettle the car, but overall, you couldn't label the A3 a great sporting drive. Instead, its road behaviour is very safe, and very able - and unless you're an enthusiast driver, you'll be very satisfied.

You get decent performance for the size and weight of this car, spectacularly so in the case of the 2.0 TDI diesel, but the performance isn't so great in relation to the A3's price. The rather basic 1.6 engine performs no more than adequately, several rival models proving brisker, and if its sporting noises and general eagerness compensate, this is hardly a premium engine for a premium-price car.

The A3's 200bhp 2.0 TFSI turbocharged, direct-injection petrol engine, on the other hand, provides very strong performance (it's the same engine as in the Golf GTI) and the 1.8 TFSI (160bhp) and new 1.4 TFSI (125bhp) are similarly impressive. The earlier 2.0 FSI, now discontinued, is also a good option for second-hand buyers.

The 1.9 TDI diesel is a noisier animal, but provides strong mid-range pull and cruises restfully. The 2.0 TDI is in a different league, the sheer strength of its mid-range acceleration making this model a satisfying mile-eater. That makes it one of the sportier A3s, and never mind that it's a diesel. Depending on price, this could be the best buy in the range. This engine comes with a six-speed gearbox as standard; this is not great, being notchy and a little vague, but it's tolerable.