Audi A3 Sportback hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2

Audi is broadening the choices offered to A3 owners, so while petrol and diesel engines are available, these options are bolstered by mild-hybrid technology and the arrival of a fully fledged plug-in hybrid A3 40 TFSI e. The latter uses a petrol engine, electric motor and battery to provide an electric range of around 41 miles, slashing fuel use and CO2 emissions. Audi has also launched a more powerful ‘45 TFSI e’ PHEV, which will manage 37 miles of electric driving.

Audi A3 MPG & CO2

Sticking with petrol first, the 148bhp 1.5-litre '35 TFSI' petrol engine has the option of mild-hybrid technology, incrementally increasing fuel-efficiency and cutting CO2 emissions. It manages up to 50.4mpg with a manual gearbox. With emissions from 128g/km, it's also affordable for company-car drivers thanks to a reasonable BiK band.

During hundreds of miles of mixed driving, we found the 1.5-litre petrol just as economical as advertised, managing exactly 50mpg. This is impressive for a petrol family car, and helps make the A3 a great all-rounder.

The smaller 1.0-litre petrol engine is badged as ‘30 TFSI’ and is capable of up to 55.4mpg when the car has an automatic gearbox fitted. Its emissions figure from 125g/km places it in a relatively high BiK band compared with hybrid models like the Toyota Corolla.

Topping the economy charts is the 40 TFSI e plug-in hybrid, which is officially capable of around 41 miles of pure-electric running and economy of up to 256.8mpg. Emissions of 26-30g/km give the A3 PHEV a low BiK banding, meaning it’s the model that will appeal most to company-car drivers. The 13kWh battery can be charged in around four hours using a home wallbox.

Choose the 35 TDI diesel, perhaps if you have a high annual mileage, and you can expect up to 61.4mpg. BiK payments will be higher, with CO2 emissions from 120g/km, depending on which trim level and alloy wheels are selected. A 30 TDI with 114bhp was previously available, but surprisingly it offered little efficiency advantage, and it’s now been discontinued.

VED (road tax) costs the standard rate, unless you go for the plug-in hybrid, in which case it's discounted by around £10 per year.

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Insurance groups

Choose a 1.0-litre Audi A3 30 TFSI Technik and insurance groups start from 14, while a more powerful A3 40 TFSI e S Line is in group 28 out of 50. The diesel 35 TDI in S Line trim sits in group 22.

Warranty

Audi provides a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is fairly average for the class and can be extended for an extra cost. Increasing it to four years and 75,000 miles costs £300, while a five-year/90,000-mile warranty is just over £600 extra, despite a five-year/100,000-mile warranty coming as standard with a Hyundai i30 or Toyota Corolla.

Servicing

Audi typically offers customers two servicing plans: one for low-mileage drivers who are likely to take more short trips, and another for motorists who have a higher mileage and tend to take longer motorway trips. The first sees maintenance take place annually, while the latter uses sensors to measure wear and suggest a service - although these will never be more than two years apart.