Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic 3dr Pre-Model Car Review - February 2012

The 1.4 petrol engine gives the car a power boost of 123 bhp at 5000 rpm with torque figures of 148 lb-ft at 1500-4100 rpm. The car delivers excellent mileage at 53.3 mpg, the best in the Audi A3 line, along with good performance capable of a top speed of 126 mph and reaching 0-62 mph in 9.3 seconds.

Body control and grip are strong but the light steering lacks feel and gear changes can be resistant. Wind and road noises experienced when driving are audible but not excessive.

The front seats are comfortable, fully adjustable and supportive. However, taller drivers may find the strut on the centre console uncomfortable as it digs into their knees.

The 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic looks very stylish for a medium family car with an attractive exterior and a well crafted and comfortable cabin. While the dashboard looks advanced, it is a little unorganised and there is some difficulty telling different controls and buttons apart.

In addition to the standard tech which includes stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system the Sports line adds specialist sports suspension, front sports seats, an MP3 input socket and climate control to enhance the driving experience.

Whilst the front seats have ample room for average sized adults the rear seats are more limited on room, making them ideal for children but uncomfortable for larger passengers on long journeys. The car is equipped with a good sized boot which can be expanded further by folding the rear seat backs to create a stepped load-bay.

An essential for family cars, the 1.4 TFSI Sport S comes equipped with a top of the range safety kit with a five out of five NCAP rating. This consists of standard twin front, side and curtain airbags along with electronic stability control and electronic brake force distribution. Additionally, all A3 models come fitted with deadlocks, central locking and a theft alarm.

The 1.4 TFSI Sport S comes with a three year warranty with 60,000 miles. It incurs much higher running costs as compared to the Technic and the 1.2 TFSI SE, coming under road tax band D, and incurs a high insurance premium under insurance bracket 20. With a better fuel economy as compared to the Technic, the 1.2 TFSI SE and the 1.4 TFSI, the car has a EURO 5 emissions rating with a carbon footprint of just 124 g/m, putting it amongst the lowest in the Audi A3 line.

The 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic is priced at £20,430. It has excellent mileage and delivers good performance but, whilst there are marginal differences between it and the 1.2 TFSI SE and 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic models, it incurs higher running costs through greater insurance premiums.

The car gives customers some additional driving tech which is not available in the lower grade models but the market cost of the car is too high for what is offered and these features struggle to justify the cost.

The 1.4 TFSI is a stylish, safe and proficient car for families looking for a reliable vehicle. The car can be used comfortably for day to day tasks including school runs and grocery shopping but longer road trips and holidays may be uncomfortable for adult passengers sat in the rear.

The car has a well-crafted and reliable engine which gives years of trouble-free service and it continues to pay for itself as it enjoys good dealer services. The combination of the car’s popularity, the Audi brand and performance profile also gives it an excellent resale value.

Those looking for high-end driving tech in a stylish body may find the price of the Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic justified but those after a car which delivers high levels of performance and low running costs may find it falls short of the mark. The cheaper 1.2 TFSI SE model offers almost identical levels of performance to the 1.4 TFSI Sport but at a lower price - making it a more viable option for first time buyers and families.