Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI SE (140ps) 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The car has a 6-spd manual gearbox and delivers 138 bhp. It has torque figures of 236 lb-ft and a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds. At full tank (55 liters) it covers 777 miles. It has a top speed of 130 mph and a combined mpg of 64.2.

It handles quite well and gives a comfortable ride. The steering is light and thus not involving so do not expect to get a kick out of driving this car. The seats are well-set and comfortable. They can also be adjusted for additional comfort.

However, there are a lot of instruments and control buttons which look similar on the dashboard. This is the only area where Audi makers did not do a thorough job. It will take you a while to get used to each one of them. You are also likely to press the wrong button a couple of times but eventually they will become familiar.

The A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI is beautifully styled and built. It is the largest in the trim and has a spacious cabin and interior. A 5-door, 5-seat hatchback, it can seat four adults comfortably, with room for luggage. The additional two doors make it easier to get in and out of than its A3 3-door sister.

For its price, standard equipment in the car is limited. You get stability control, central locking, power steering, air conditioning, electric doors and front window mirrors, immobilizer, alarm, driver airbags, passenger airbags and front side airbags. The media console only comes with a CD player.

An upgrade will cost you quite a bit, considering how many additional features you require. Your upgrade budget should take into account climate control for £385, cruise control for £220, metallic paint for £510, rear parking sensors for £305, leather seats for £1225, Sat Nav for £890, MP3 connectivity for £225 and Bluetooth connectivity for £250. Most of these options are crucial and a must-have for most motorists. Add the total cost to the initial cost of the car and you may just change your mind about buying it in the first place.

There is plenty of space in the cabin, particularly for the driver and front passenger. Rear cabin space is larger than in the three-door but still wanting. Taller passengers in the two extreme rear seats will feel cramped back there.

Boot space is big enough for average luggage. With the seats up, you get 370 litres in a perfect shape. Fold down the rear seats and you have a total of 1100 liters of space. The only problem is that the perfect boot shape is distorted and you get a stepped area in its place, which is not convenient for luggage that needs to be spread out.

The A3 has the same high quality build that more expensive Audi models have. You can tell that the engineering is superb from how the car feels and responds to your road commands. Expect to enjoy trouble-free service from your A3 for a long while.

The A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI registered mixed results in the Euro NCAP test, garnering 4 stars for occupant safety, 3 stars for child safety and 1 star for pedestrian safety. As long as you drive carefully though, you have nothing to worry about as the car is packed with standard safety features such as electronic stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, seat belt pre-tensioners, central locking, deadbolts and airbags.

Granted, the A3 2.0 TDI is expensive. A new model goes for £21,465, which is much higher than an equivalent Volkswagen Golf, BMW 1 Series or Mercedes A-Class. It, however, has a strong resale value, thanks to consumer demand. Should you decide to change cars along the way, you can be sure that you will recoup a good percentage of the original price.

It has moderate running costs and is not known to break down frequently. Should it stall, the 3 year service warranty up to 60,000 miles will take care of the expenses. Expect average insurance premiums as it falls under group 24. Average CO2 emissions of 115g/km contribute to its low road tax band (C) which attracts a paltry £30 a year.