Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport

It’s the baby of the Audi range, but the A3 runs the A4 close as the firm’s best-selling model. It comes as a three-door – as tried here – and a five-door Sportback, and visually is the closest of our trio to a conventional family hatchback in concept and execution.

The A3 is wider and shorter than the 1-Series, and its rounded lines make it look a little plump in comparison. Revisions in 2003 brought it more closely in line with the rest of the range, thanks to the large radiator grille. Yet the Audi is still a handsome and well conceived car. The overall sense of solidity is a trait of the brand, and the entry-level model is no exception.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi A3

Once inside, the quality ambience continues, and there’s little to fault in the cabin. The finish and detailing are as good as in any other Audi, and despite the simplicity of the dash design, there’s a real premium feel to the car.

Little touches such as the fabric door inserts – which are flecked with colour to match the red exterior paint – plus the tactile rotary air vents and metal handles all add an extra edge.

The driving position is spot-on, too, with a wide range of adjustment on both the seat and steering wheel. There’s more elbow room than in the BMW, and the Audi is generally quite spacious. True, it’s no match for the MPV-like A-Class cabin, but even this three-door A3 provides generous passenger accommodation.

There’s more rear legroom than in the 1-Series, and thanks to the smaller, flatter transmission tunnel, the Audi is the more practical choice. Its boot is 20 litres bigger than the BMW’s, too, offering a total of 350 litres with the rear seats in place. Fold them, however, and its 1,080-litre space trails the Mercedes’ by a huge 915 litres. However, the Audi has the longest load length, even if the backrests don’t sit completely flat.

The big question is, does the new 1.4-litre TFSI engine give the entry-level car unique appeal? Well it’s cleaner, faster and more frugal than the normally aspirated 1.6 FSI it replaces, and the little turbo unit is very impressive on the road.

Power is delivered smoothly from low revs – peak torque arrives at only 1,500rpm – and it’s punchy and responsive in-gear. The A3 is far quicker than both of its rivals, and thanks to its flexibility, the TFSI simply doesn’t seem like a small-capacity engine.

The fact that it’s also refined and quiet further reinforces the grown-up feel of the 1.4-litre powerplant. The six-speed manual gearbox has a positive yet light shift action, and the ratios seem to be perfectly spread to suit the eager nature of the engine.

But while the 1.4 TFSI is keen to perform, it doesn’t prevent the A3 from being a relaxed cruiser. In fact, the Audi has the best ride of these three and is the most comfortable on long journeys. The damping is well controlled and there’s plenty of suspension travel, so it isn’t as firm as the 1-Series, which means only really nasty surfaces send shocks up into the cabin.

Body control and front-end grip are considerably better than in the Mercedes, too, although get behind the wheel of the A3 straight after the rear-wheel-drive BMW and it feels a little inert, with slower steering and more body movement. However, the Audi is easy to drive, composed and well mannered, so the dynamics will certainly not disappoint in most day-to-day situations. Similarly priced and equipped to the BMW, the 1.4 TFSI is an impressive addition to the A3 range.