Audi A3 Sportback hatchback - Engines, drive & performance

The Audi A3 has always been a smooth, assured car to drive, without necessarily offering the enjoyment of rivals like the BMW 1 Series. Based on an upgrade of the existing MQB platform, there's little about the latest A3 that tears up the rulebook here, and the A3 has similarly mature and slick manners as before.

Despite having front-wheel drive, there’s plenty of grip, with an unflappable feel aided by multi-link rear suspension – a more expensive design than the torsion beam setup found in some cheaper cars, fitted in versions with 148bhp or more. Optional Progressive Steering needs smaller inputs at lower speeds and can be altered in different driving modes. It's a bit light and lacking in feel but switching into 'Dynamic' mode adds some weight. Top-spec versions were previously available with adaptive suspension, which works better than before, providing decent ride comfort. The standard suspension setup is also improved, so while adaptive suspension is a tempting feature, it isn't essential.

Audi A3 petrol engines

The entry-level petrol is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo badged 30 TFSI with 109bhp. Despite its low output, it's eager to rev and gets the A3 from 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds. A surprising top speed of 127mph also means it shouldn't feel strained at the national speed limit. An S tronic automatic gearbox is also available, which is a good option if you often drive in heavy traffic.

With 148bhp, the 1.5-litre engine in the A3 35 TFSI can get from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds with a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox. That should be plenty fast enough for most families, and its 139mph top speed will make motorway cruising at 70mph nicely relaxed too.

It doesn't feel quite as nippy as you may expect but there's enough performance available to make it an acceptable all-rounder and our pick of the range. The six-speed manual gearbox has a light throw but can feel a bit jerky at low speeds. Luckily a high proportion of buyers are expected to opt for the automatic.

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Hybrid engines

The 40 TFSI e plug-in hybrid combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine, a 13kWh battery and an electric motor to produce 201bhp. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Performance is brisk, with the plug-in A3 managing 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 141mph, and smooth.

The car always starts in electric mode if there’s enough charge in the battery, so you’ll only hear a faint whirr from the motor. At higher speeds, road noise becomes more of an issue - especially with the big wheels and sports suspension of S line trim - and the heavy powertrain makes it less comfortable than other A3s. On faster roads it’s very difficult to recharge the battery, so you may be left with petrol power only.

A more powerful 45 TFSI e model with 242bhp is also available exclusively in S line Competition trim, cutting the 0-62mph time to 6.6 seconds.

Diesel engines

At launch there was just one 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine badged 35 TDI, which is quieter than in the previous A3 but still a bit too audible for our liking. It comes with front-wheel drive and the same automatic gearbox as the petrol engine. Power is identical at 148bhp, but extra torque makes the diesel feel punchier than the 35 TFSI in traffic and for overtaking.

The 30 TDI version, which uses a 114bhp version of the same engine, is no longer available to order. Designed primarily with economy in mind, it still gets from 0-62mph in a reasonable 10.1 seconds. Like the entry-level petrol, it was available with just one six-speed manual gearbox.