Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI SE S tronic 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The 1.8 petrol engine gives the car a good power boost of 158 bhp at 5000-6200 rpm with torque figures of 184 lb-ft at 1500-4200 rpm. It delivers lower mileage than both the 1.4 and the 1.2 at just 43.5 mpg but performance is higher with a top speed of 138 mph and accelerating from 0-62 mph in 7.7 seconds.

However, the car still suffers from light steering which does not make control of the car comfortable. Gear changes can be resistant, detracting from the car's good body control and strong grip on the road.

The car’s front seats are comfortable, fully adjustable and supportive and noise from the wind and the road while driving are audible but not excessive. The dashboard is not systematically arranged making it a little difficult for some drivers to clearly understand the function of instruments and tell some of the buttons apart at a glance.

The Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S tronic looks very stylish for a medium family car with an attractive exterior and a well crafted and comfortable cabin. The car comes fitted with the same standard driving technology as the 1.2 TFSI including air conditioning, stability control, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, an advanced stereo system, and an alarm and immobiliser to deter theft.

The SE version also provides an upgrade of a multifunction steering wheel.

The Sportsback model comes fitted with five seats. As compared to the regular A1 and A3 models, Sportsback models have ample room in the front and back seats, making long drives comfortable for children as well as adults passengers. The models are also equipped with a large boot size making them ideal for long travel purposes - be it road trips or holidays.

Essential for family cars, the 1.8 TFSI SE S tronic comes equipped with a top of the range safety kit with a five out of five NCAP rating. It consists of standard twin front, side and curtain airbags along with electronic stability control and electronic brake force distribution.

The car also comes with a three year warranty with 60,000 miles. The 1.8 TFSI SE S tronic has very high running costs similar to the standard 1.8 TFSI S tronic falling under road tax band F and insurance bracket of 25. Moreover, the car has poor green credentials with a EURO 5 emissions rating and a heavy carbon footprint of 149 g/km - the same as the 1.8 TFSI S tronic but marginally lower than those of the 1.8 TFSI Sport.

The Sportback 1.8 TFSI SE S tronic is priced at £22,770. The car gives a good performance in an attractive body and has a well-crafted, reliable engine which gives years of trouble-free service. It is a safe and proficient car for first time buyers and families looking for long term ownership and can be used comfortably for day to day tasks from school runs and grocery shopping to long road trips and holidays.

The car continues to pay for itself as it enjoys good dealer services as well as Audi’s excellent quality and reliability record. The combination of the car’s popularity, performance and the Audi brand gives it excellent resale values.

However, the car’s high price does not provide exclusive driving technology, improved features or an exclusive look beyond that of the standard 1.2 engine Sportback. Whilst the 1.8 engine provides a more powerful drive the cars expensive price tag and high running costs make it uneconomical for the average driver. The larger engine comes with poor fuel consumption, leading to more regular refuelling and high road tax costs and insurance premiums.

For families and first time buyers, the 1.2 TFSI and the 1.4 TFSI SE S tronic provide better value for money with lower running costs and good performance offered at more attractive prices.