Audi A3 Sportback hatchback - Reliability & safety

Despite being an all-new model, the A3 is based on underpinnings and engines that are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, so we wouldn't have expected any major reliability upset, although Driver Power owner verdicts appear to contradict this. In terms of safety, however, the A3 does reasonably well – it scored five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, but it's a shame some safety kit sits on the options list.

Audi A3 reliability

The A3 came 70th out of the top 75 models in our latest Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, with a below average score for reliability. Owners were most impressed with its engines and gearboxes. However, interior comfort and the infotainment system weren't highly praised.

Audi as a brand didn’t excel in the Driver Power survey, coming in 22nd place out of 29 manufacturers, behind all of its direct rivals except for Mercedes in 23rd. Reliability across the board for Audi was slightly better than average, with around 19% of respondents reporting a fault in the first year of ownership.

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Safety

The A3 is a key seller for Audi, so the company will be pleased it has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP score. The A3's Volkswagen Golf sister car already achieved a top safety result, with impressive scores across the board, and the A3 received 89% for adult occupant protection.

New safety features also make their debut in the A3, including Car2X technology that can communicate with local vehicles and infrastructure (where supported) to warn the driver of hazards, traffic and even how long it will be until a traffic light turns red or green.

It is a shame, however, to see how much safety kit is an optional extra. For the Technik trim, a lane change system is £500, while a Driver Assistance Pack with parking sensors, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control is £2,100.