Audi A3 review (2007 onwards)

Model: Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport
Bodystyle: Three-door hatch
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged, petrol
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive

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What is it?

Given the way things are going, this small engined A3 is likely representative of the cars we'll all be driving sooner rather than later. It's the obvious solution, given that legislation and social trends mean CO2 emissions are going to figure ever higher in car buyers' minds. But the safety and luxury to which we've all become accustomed means more powerful engines are required to lug the weight around and satisfy our performance expectations. As a result smaller capacity engines with forced aspiration are going to figure ever more significantly. Enter the turbocharged TFSI 1.4-litre Audi A3.

Where does it fit?

Sitting above the basic A3 1.6, the 1.4 TFSI replaced the 1.6 FSI late last year. Power is up from 113bhp to 123bhp, torque from 114lb ft to 147lb ft and as a result the 0-62mph time is cut from 10.9 to 9.6 seconds. Impressive - so how is this possible with a smaller engine?Like the Golf 1.4 TSI 122PS, the A3 combines turbocharger with direct fuel injection to enable the smaller unit to punch above its weight. Confusing matters slightly, the Golf is also available with 138bhp and 168bhp 1.4 TSI units, which feature VW's nifty 'twincharger' system using both a supercharger and turbo.

Is it for you?

If you can look beyond the macho fixation with engine capacity (you can always choose the debadge option) then the new model makes for an inspired choice. The A3 is a pleasing product as it stands and one that trades successfully on its perceived premium status. And from the first moment you climb aboard it does nothing to disappoint, the interior showing the traditional Audi quality, excellent ergonomics and comfort. It's not what you'd call fancy but the pleasing aura of quality is one you'll appreciate, especially if you rack up a lot of miles. The relatively basic spec means less of the button overload seen in other Audis too.

What does it do well?

Worried a small engine needs to be thrashed to get along?Don't be. The 1.4 is impressively refined, so much so you'd swear there was a start-stop system fitted so quiet is it at tickover. Lifting the bonnet reveals it's actually quite a tappety little unit - clearly Audi has invested a lot of effort in sound deadening. It pulls strongly too, with peak torque available from just 1,500rpm and a linear power delivery that belies the small capacity. On paper it doesn't appear rapid but on the road it never feels sluggish and the typically user friendly controls combine to make the driving experience a pleasant one.

What doesn't it do well?

The A3 is such a polished product it's hard to really pick holes. One of our biggest moans would be the fact that the steering remains uncommunicative and artificially weighted. It responds accurately to your inputs but it isolates you from the drive in a slightly condescending manner. And whether it was down to fuelling or perhaps the ECU getting a little caught out, we occasionally noticed small hiccups in the power delivery but that's getting very fussy indeed. The ride is on the brittle side too - the Audi engineers need to spend some time in the Ford Focus to see how it should be done.

What’s it like to live with?

Very pleasant. The A3 is one of those unobtrusively enjoyable cars to spend time in and if you spend lots of hours on the road you'll appreciate the comfort, quality and general sense that it's on your side no matter what. The fact you can now get decent performance from a small capacity and relatively green petrol engine only makes it more attractive. It's a discreetly handsome car too, especially the three-door version we drove although you do need a decent set of alloys to carry the look successfully. And if you need more practicality there is the choice of the five-door Sportback version too.

How green is it?

Not bad at all, and certainly ahead of the game compared with the competition. 154g/km is 4g/km less than the 1.6 FSI it replaces and means BIK of 17%. Fuel consumption is marginally better too, showing 43.6mpg on the official combined cycle against the 1.6 FSI's 42.8. These kind of figures are achievable in light-footed motorway cruising too, although if you want to keep up with the flow you'll be dipping into the mid to high 30s more often than not. For comparison the related Golf 1.4 TSI is significantly better though, its CO2 level of just 149g/km falling further still to 139g/km with the new seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Would we buy one?

The A3 1.4 TFSI is a very impressive car and one we thoroughly enjoyed driving. It looks good (though will receive a facelift in the next couple of months) and has that reassuring status and quality Audi buyers value so much. But it's very expensive. As tested our A3 Sport came in at £18,695 OTR - very pricey when you consider you can get a Golf 1.4 S TSI for just £14,275. Even in five-door form and with a seven-speed DSG gearbox the Golf still undercuts the A3 at £16,175, the entry level spec A3 1.4 TFSI costing £16,340. We love the engine then - we'd just take it in the Golf instead.

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