ON THE ROAD
Performance
The S3's 261bhp 2.0-litre engine feels a little hesitant at low revs, but it delivers a formidable shove in the back when the turbo wakes up and relentless acceleration thereafter. Hike up the revs, drop the clutch and the S3 will sprint from 0 to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds - almost half a second quicker than its main rival, the BMW 130i.
Ride & handling
Traction is hard to fault, thanks to a four-wheel-drive system that shuffles power between the front and rear wheel as needed, while the S3's lowered and stiffened sports suspension provides excellent body control. Unfortunately, overly light steering and an uncompromising ride that jostles occupants in their seats let the side down.
Refinement
The turbocharged engine emits a suitably sporty rasp if worked hard, but it's rather boomy when cruising at motorway speeds, so long journeys can be tiring. As in lesser A3s, there's little wind noise at the national limit, but some road noise does find its way into the cabin
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
There's no getting away from it: the S3 is a very pricey hot hatch. Some rivals offering similar performance - but a less prestigious badge - undercut it by over £7000. Average fuel consumption of 31.0mpg and a group 18 insurance rating are par for the course, but residuals aren't as strong as you might expect for an Audi.
Quality & reliability
Audi cabins have a reputation for quality, and the S3 doesn't appear to let the side down. Everything you touch feels built to last, and it's beautifully finished, mixing dense soft-touch plastics with a generous helping of metallic trim. Audi's reliability record is less impressive, but the standard A3 has a good customer satisfaction rating.
Safety & security
The list of standard safety kit includes twin front, side and curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints and stability control. Security provisions are equally comprehensive, with deadlocks, an alarm, a secure stereo and plenty of marked parts.
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
As in all A3s, the steering wheel moves for both height and reach, and the S3's heavily bolstered sports seats offer a wide range of adjustment, so it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. The controls for the stereo and heater are mostly logical, too, although the display can be a little tricky to read at night when everything is lit in the same red hue.
Space & practicality
The S3 offers front-seat occupants plenty of leg- and headroom, but anyone over 6ft tall will want to avoid the rear seats on a long journey. The boot is well shaped and a decent size, but practicality could be better because you're left with a stepped platform when you flip the back seats forward. The S3 only comes in three-door form.
Equipment
Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, part-leather upholstery, climate control, and an MP3-compatible CD player, but luxuries such as parking sensors, electric seat adjustment and a CD multichanger cost extra. That's disappointing given the S3's hefty price tag
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Audi A3 Hatchback S3 3dr
Audi A3 Hatchback 2.0 TDI 140 Sport 3dr
ON THE ROAD
Performance
Four petrol engines are available in the three-door A3, the Sportback gains a turbocharged 197bhp 2.0-litre. The basic and direct-injection 1.6s need to be worked hard, while the 2.0 is stronger and the 3.2 V6 is quick. There are two turbodiesels – a 1.9-litre with 103bhp and a gutsy 2.0-litre that has 138bhp and hefty mid-range pull.
Ride & handling
The A3 is a competent rather than entertaining drive, even following the recent revisions. Body control and grip are both strong, but the steering is short of feel. On base and SE versions the ride is firm without being uncomfortable, but models fitted with the sports suspension jolt too much over bumps.
Refinement
The turbodiesels make themselves heard when cold or stretched towards the red line, while the 1.6 is throaty at high revs, but otherwise the engines are well isolated when cruising. Wind and road noise is not too intrusive, so the A3 makes a fine long-distance companion
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
The A3 is marketed as a prestige hatch, but it’s hard to justify the price premium over the closely related VW Golf; the Sportback is £500 more again. Strong desirability means solid residual values, however, particularly for the diesel versions. Running costs should be reasonable for all but the V6s.
Quality & reliability
Audi applies the same high standards of build to the A3 as it does to its more expensive models. It has a well crafted feel throughout, so the new car should have the same hardy cabin as the old model. Engines are a mix of new and tested units, and all should give years of dependable and trouble-free service.
Safety & security
Twin front, side and curtain airbags are standard and there are active front head restraints to reduce whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision. Electronic stability control and electronic brakeforce distribution are also fitted to all cars. Every A3 has deadlocks, central locking and an alarm to deter theft
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
With a full range of movement at the steering wheel and in the driver’s seat, finding an ideal driving position is never a problem. Typical Audi quality and attention to detail are evident in the way all of the controls are clustered around the driver, and all have an excellent feel.
Space & practicality
The five-door A3 offers loads of space for the driver and front passenger, but those in the back seat and those over six-foot tall won’t relish long journeys. Access to the back is better than in the three-door. The boot is a good size and shape with the seats in place, but folding the rear seat backs forward leaves a stepped load platform.
Equipment
Four trims are on offer: standard, SE, Sport and S line. Base models do without air-conditioning but now get a CD player, while SE and Sport have climate control. Electric front windows are standard across the range, as are alloy wheels. The S line can be specified with an aggressive bodykit that includes new bumpers and a rear boot spoiler.
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Audi A3 Sportback
ON THE ROAD
Performance
Six petrol engines are available in the five-door A3. The 1.6 is best left alone, but the turbocharged 1.4-litre engine develops 123bhp. There's also a turbocharged 158bhp 1.8-litre and 197bhp 2.0 which are stronger; the 3.2 V6 is quick. There are three turbodiesel versions – a 1.9-litre with 103bhp and two 2.0-litres with 138bhp or 168bhp. Eash has hefty mid-range pull.
Ride & handling
The A3 is a competent rather than entertaining drive. Body control and grip are both strong, but the steering is short of feel. On base and SE versions the ride is firm without being uncomfortable, but models fitted with the sports suspension jolt too much over bumps.
Refinement
The turbodiesels make themselves heard when cold or stretched towards the red line, while the 1.6 is throaty at high revs, but otherwise the engines are well isolated when cruising. Wind and road noise is not too intrusive, so the A3 makes a fine long-distance companion
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
The A3 is marketed as a prestige hatch, but it’s hard to justify the price premium over the closely related VW Golf; the Sportback costs more again. Strong desirability means solid residual values, however, particularly for the diesel versions. Running costs are reasonable for all but the V6s.
Quality & reliability
Audi applies the same high standards of build to the A3 as it does to its more expensive models. It has a well crafted feel throughout, and the A3 receives consistently high ratings in JD Power customer satisfaction ratings. Engines are a mix of new and tested units, and all should give years of dependable and trouble-free service.
Safety & security
Twin front, side and curtain airbags are standard and there are active front head restraints to reduce whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision. Electronic stability control and electronic brakeforce distribution are also fitted to all cars. Every A3 has deadlocks, central locking and an alarm to deter theft
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
With a full range of movement at the steering wheel and in the driver’s seat, finding an ideal driving position is never a problem. Typical Audi quality and attention to detail are evident in the way all of the controls are clustered around the driver, and all have an excellent feel.
Space & practicality
The five-door A3 offers loads of space for the driver and front passenger, but those in the back seat and those over six-foot tall won’t relish long journeys. Access to the back is better than in the three-door. The boot is a good size and shape with the seats in place, but folding the rear seat backs forward leaves a stepped load platform
Equipment
Four trims are on offer: standard, SE, Sport and S line. Electric front windows are standard across the range, as are alloy wheels. S line can be specified with an aggressive bodykit that includes larger bumpers and a rear boot spoiler
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Audi A3 Hatchback
ON THE ROAD
Performance
Five petrol engines are available in the A3 range. The basic 1.6 needs to be worked hard, unlike the 1.4 turbo. Both the 158bhp 1.8 and 197bhp 2.0-litre turbo versions are quick, while the 3.2 V6 is brisker still. There are three turbodiesels – a 1.9, or two 2.0-litre units developing 138bhp or 168bhp.
Ride & handling
The A3 is a competent rather than entertaining drive. Body control and grip are both strong, but the steering is short of feel. On base and SE versions the ride is firm without being uncomfortable, but models fitted with the sports suspension jolt too much over bumps.
Refinement
The turbodiesels make themselves heard when cold or stretched towards the red line, while the 1.6 is throaty at high revs, but otherwise the engines are well isolated when cruising. Wind and road noise is not too intrusive, so the A3 makes a fine long-distance companion.
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
The A3 is marketed as a prestige hatch, but it’s hard to justify the price premium over the closely related Volkswagen Golf; the Sportback costs more again. Strong desirability means solid residual values, however, particularly for the diesel versions. Running costs are reasonable for all but the V6s.
Quality & reliability
Audi applies the same high standards of build to the A3 as it does to its more expensive models. It has a well crafted feel throughout, and the A3 receives a consistently high rating in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys. Engines are a mix of new and tested units, and all should give years of dependable and trouble-free service.
Safety & security
Twin front, side and curtain airbags are standard and there are active front head restraints to reduce whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision. Electronic stability control and electronic brakeforce distribution are also fitted to all cars. Every A3 has deadlocks, central locking and an alarm to deter theft.
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
With a full range of movement at the steering wheel and in the driver’s seat, finding an ideal driving position is never a problem. Typical Audi quality and attention to detail are evident in the way all of the controls are clustered around the driver, and all have an excellent feel.
Space & practicality
The three-door A3 offers loads of space for the driver and front passenger, but those in the back seat and those over six-foot tall won’t relish long journeys. The boot is a good size and shape with the seats in place, but folding the rear seat backs leave a stepped load platform. The five-door Sportback is spacious for four occupants and has a larger boot than the three-door model.
Equipment
Four trims are on offer: standard, SE, Sport and S line. Electric front windows are standard across the range, as are alloy wheels. S line can be specified with an aggressive bodykit that includes larger bumpers and a rear boot spoiler.
Car Reviews From What Car
Audi A3 Cabriolet
ON THE ROAD
Performance
Buyers can choose from four turbocharged engines - two petrols and two diesels. The entry unit is an ageing 104bhp 1.9 diesel, but the punchy and free-revving 197bhp 2.0 petrol is a much better bet if your budget will stretch to it. The 1.8T has a good blend of power and low-down muscle, so it’s tractable, revs swiftly and returns 38.7mpg on average. There's also a 138bhp 2.0 diesel that delivers ample power in a smooth, progressive manner.
Ride & handling
It would be too much to expect an open car to be as rigid as one with a fixed roof, but the agile handling and composed ride of the A3 hatch are largely unsullied. There's plenty of grip and accurate steering, although ideally we would like a bit more weight to the steering at speed.
Refinement
The A3 Cabriolet shuns the current trend for folding metal roofs in favour of a traditional fabric one. However, Sport cars get a thicker roof than standard models, and this keeps wind noise down. The 1.9 diesel is noisy, but the other engines are suitably refined. There's not much buffeting for front-seat occupants when the roof is stowed.
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
With prices starting on the wrong side of £20,000, the A3 Cabriolet is far from cheap, but we expect it to hold its value well. The petrol engines both average almost 40mpg, while the 2.0 diesel manages 53.3mpg and the 1.9 diesel 55.4mpg. Other running costs shouldn't break the bank.
Quality & reliability
Most of the Cabriolet's interior is shared with other A3 models, which means you get soft-touch upper dash plastics and slick switchgear. Audi appears to have downgraded some of the materials in the lower reaches of the cabin, but overall it still feels classy and built to last. The A3 hatch received a good rating for reliability in the last JD Power customer satisfaction survey.
Safety & security
Stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and twin front and side airbags are standard. However, the Cabriolet misses out on the A3 hatch's full-length curtain airbags. Deadlocks and an alarm help to deter theft, although that fabric hood isn't as tough as a metal roof.
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
The seats are supportive and there's a wide-range of adjustment to help drivers make themselves comfortable. It's not all good news, though, because over-the-shoulder vision is poor with the roof up. Most of the controls fall readily to hand, but some of the switchgear on the centre console is a little fussy.
Space & practicality
Rear shoulder room is a bit tight, but otherwise there's decent space for four people. The roof folds down in just nine seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 19mph, while the boot is a respectable 260 litres whether the roof is up or down. The rear sears fold flat in case you need extra load space, too, but the boot opening is small.
Equipment
In standard form, the A3 Cabriolet comes with air-conditioning, all-round electric windows, alloy wheels and daytime running lights. However, you have to upgrade to Sport trim to get climate control and a fully electric hood (the standard car has a semi-automatic one that you have to release manually from the header rail). An even sportier S line model will join the line-up later.
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