Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The 2.0 diesel engine develops 168 bhp at 4200 rpm with torque figures of 258 lb-ft at 1750-2500 rpm. It delivers much better fuel economy than any of the A3 petrol engines at 60.1 mpg but less than the 1.6 A3 diesel engines. The 2.0 engine delivers strong performance with a top speed of 139 mph, going from 0-62 mph in 8.1 seconds, which is very good for a family car.

However, the car still suffers from light steering which does not instill confidence in the driver. Gear changes can sometimes be very notchy and detract from the good body control and strong grip of the Sportback range.

The car’s front seats are comfortable, fully adjustable and supportive, and road and wind noise are present but not intrusive. 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 2.0 TDI looks very stylish for a medium family car with an attractive exterior and a comfortable cabin. The car comes fitted with standard A3 Sportsback equipment including stability control, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, an advanced stereo system, and an alarm and immobiliser to deter theft.

The A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI 5dr can seat five people. Compared to the regular A1 and A3 models, Sportback models have much more room in the front and back seats making long drives comfortable for children as well as adults passengers. The Sportback is also equipped with a large boot, making it ideal for long travel purposes - be it road trips or holidays.

Essential for family cars, the 2.0 TDI is equipped with top of the range safety kit and was awarded 5/5 stars by Euro NCAP. Twin front, side and curtain airbags along with electronic stability control and electronic brake force distribution are all fitted as standard.

The car also comes with a three year warranty limited to 60,000 miles.

The A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI 5dr is priced at £21,750.

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

The car has good green credentials, producing 123g/km of CO2 which is better than the petrol models but worse than the 1.6 TDI. The car delivers good performance for a family car and good fuel economy at 60.1mpg.

For families and first time buyers, low running costs and reliability are a priority making the 1.6 diesel a better investment.