Audi A3 1.6 TDI

If you want all the perks of a low-emissions car without any of the sacrifices or attention-grabbing branding, Audi has the answer. Its most frugal A3 ever is exempt from road tax but offers the same refined, polished driving experience the firm’s customers have become accustomed to. While the most basic Golf BlueMotion shares the same powertrain and economy figures, it can’t fly under the radar quite like the cleanest A3, or offer the same premium feel.

Here’s the proof that premium cars and rock-bottom emissions can go hand-in-hand! We have driven Audi’s most efficient A3 ever, capable of doing 74.3mpg and emitting 99g/km of CO2. But is there a price to pay for such incredible efficiency in terms of the ride and drive?

Available only as a three-door and in Standard trim, this fuel-sipping A3 builds on the existing 1.6 TDI – which, at 68.9mpg and 109g/km, is by no means a gas-guzzler itself. But thanks to a handful of eco modifications, Audi has managed to stretch the fuel economy even further and slip under the 100g/km barrier – and this means the car qualifies for road tax exemption.

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

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69227","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

On top of the start-stop and regenerative braking systems already fitted to the 1.6 TDI, the 99g/km model also has longer ratios for the five-speed gearbox, a reduced ride height and a flatter underbody to reduce drag. Smaller 15-inch alloys, rather than the usual 16-inchers, help improve aerodynamics, while low rolling-resistance tyres keep friction with the road surface to a minimum.

These tweaks combine to create a superbly refined and comfortable drive. Because ultra-low-profile tyres are the norm now, it’s easy to forget the benefits of a better rubber-to-metal ratio in your wheels. The cosseting ride blends perfectly with the higher-ratio box, which encourages you to cruise at low revs using light throttle inputs.

Elsewhere, the car feels just as good as any other A3. The steering is light and accurate, the gearchange has a familiar Audi precision to it, and the interior is top quality. As demonstrated by our model, add a few choice options such as sat-nav at £1,870, dual-zone climate control at £375 or an iPod connection at £250, and the price soon begins to rise.

Yet it really is all the family hatchback you’ll ever need – and will have cheaper running costs than anything comparable on the road. Usually, when it comes to eco-tweaked cars, there is some sort of penalty to pay – whether it be a hugely inflated price, woeful low-end throttle response or look-at-me branding on every surface. But Audi has managed to side-step every one of these pitfalls, and the result is a car which sets a new benchmark for efficiency without any apparent compromise.

Rival: Golf BlueMotion
The most basic three-door VW model costs £95 more than the equivalent A3, but has identical CO2 and economy figures. As with the Audi, it’s as good to drive as the standard versions.