Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: £27,480 to £28,020
Quick, holds the road well, high level of comfort.
Pricey, not as involving a drive as it should be.
A very good hot hatch, but not quite as good as the high price suggests.
The previous A3, on which the S3 is based, does well in customer satisfaction surveys, with JD Power giving the car top marks (very good) for mechanical quality and a rating of above average for performance, exterior quality and style. Warranty Direct also gives the A3 a better-than-average rating for reliability.
Audi has built a reputation for quality in recent years, which is reflected in the materials used in the interior and the way the cabin fits together. Plastics are tactile and soft to the touch, and the leather upholstery on the seats evokes a feeling of high-quality modern furniture. The new chrome accents and aluminium inlays also add a touch of modernity, making the cabin feel contemporary.
