Audi A3 1.2 TFSI Sport S tronic 3dr Pre-Model Car Review - January 2012

The well established A3 has a good ride on the whole, and although the 1.2 TFSI may be a little short of pulling power it certainly isn't one that disappoints. Acceleration and power are reasonable, and the 1.2 engine works well in suburban and urban driving situations. The sports suspension will not be to everyone's liking, and can be a little too bumpy for some people, but for those who are opting for the Sport setting then they will be looking for good responsiveness from their vehicle.

The handling is responsive enough, and it never has the disconnect between steering wheel movement and response which can affect some cars. With a top speed of 119mph, and a 0-62mph of 11 seconds this version of the A3 is not as sporty as the hot hatches released by many other brands, but it is certainly effective enough to add a little fun to a vehicle that is primarily designed for practicality and efficiency.

The style of the A3 hasn't changed much for a few years now, with the most recent facelift coming in 2008, but the vehicle is visibly a descendant of the first A3 released back in 1996. The look is pleasant and efficient without being spectacular, and the alloy wheels that come as standard on this model certainly improve the overall impression given by the car.

Compared with other competitors in this class, the A3 doesn't offer as many features as standard as other vehicles, but there are a range of optional extras that can be added to the vehicle. Climate control and heated mirrors do come as standard, but for those who are looking at the competitors they will find many offer cruise control as standard. The five seat car is spacious and comfortable, and getting in to the back seats isn't a problem.

The five seats are all easily accessed, although as with most hatchbacks fitting five adults in can become a bit of a squeeze, but no more so than the competition. The load space in the boot is good, but large highly positioned lights can restrict the size of items that can be placed into the boot.

Every Audi A3 comes with a three year warranty and three year breakdown cover, but most people will rarely need to use this because of the high build quality and the reliability of the vehicle. Safety tests for the A3 have been below average when compared with its competitors, and the surprising feature was a drop in the pedestrian safety rating when the car was given its most recent facelift in 2008

The security features are given as standard are impressive, with marked parts and the usual security features all available at no extra cost.

The Audi A3 has always been marketed by Audi as a 'premium' hatchback, which has meant that there is a higher price than some of the competition. With the high quality of the competition, and the better performance of some of the Sport's rivals, people will want to be an Audi owner in order to opt for the vehicle.

The fuel economy is particularly good, and the 51.4mpg combined is competitive when compared with other cars in the market. There is a good resale value for second hand A3s, and depreciation is not as significant as it is in similar vehicles. When this is combined with a reasonable insurance group and a very strong demand on the resale market, the A3 1.2 is definitely a car that is worth considering.