Audi A3 2.0 TDI vs BMW 116d and Volvo V40 D2 2012 group test

Audi appears to launch a new model every week, but this is the car that really matters to the company: the A3.

Over the past 16 years, sales of this model have made up a fifth of Audi’s total revenue – laying the financial foundation for adventurous low-volume cars as diverse as the R8 and A7.

So what does the third-generation A3 have in store? It’s the first car to use the VW Group’s all-new modular MQB chassis, which will underpin everything from the next TT to the MkVII Golf. It also gets a modern interior, with the latest tech.

For now, the A3 is available only as a three-door, so to bridge the price gap to its five-door rivals, we test it here with the 2.0-litre TDI engine in entry-level SE spec.

Can it topple our reigning class champ: the fun and cost-effective BMW 116d EfficientDynamics? The 1 Series is less powerful than the new Audi, but it’s one of the cheapest company cars around, and is surprisingly practical, too.

Completing our trio is the Volvo V40. It lost out to the BMW by a tiny margin in our previous test, and could give the Audi a run for its money. So can the A3 return to the top of the class it created?

Verdict

Picking a winner from these fierce rivals is no easy task. The depth of talent on display proves that customers searching for a new premium hatch are now spoiled for choice.

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All of these cars excel in different areas, so it’s cruel that the Volvo finishes last. Its relaxed character and smart styling provide the sort of charisma that the A3 lacks, but limited practicality and steeper deprecation put it third.

The Audi makes up for a conservative exterior with a first-rate cabin, while its engine strikes a fine balance between performance and economy. Yet despite a new chassis, the handling hasn’t moved on from the old car – the firm ride and numb steering make it capable rather than fun.

So the victor – by a slender margin – is the BMW. It’s not only the cheapest and most practical car here, it also proves that efficiency and fun can go hand-in-hand. Even the extra practicality of the upcoming five-door A3 would not have changed this result.

But with the sleek new Mercedes A-Class around the corner, it may not be long before the BMW loses its top spot.

8

BMW 116d

Can our favourite compact family car fend off A3’s challenge?

Cheap to run and superb to drive – the 1 Series is a fantastic all-rounder that made an equally strong impression on its second test outing. Understated looks and a functional interior ensure it’s the least fashionable choice – but a rakish three-door model should help compensate for any lack of style.

The BMW 1 Series was crowned Best Compact Family Car at our New Car Awards, and confirmed its position as one of the finest all-round cars on sale with a narrow victory over the Volvo V40. But does that mean it can hold off the rejuvenated Audi A3?

On paper, these two fierce rivals are closely matched and there’s little to separate them when it comes to visual appeal.

Both look plain and conservative when parked alongside the striking V40. Just like the A3, the latest 1 Series owes most of its styling cues to long-established company design trends. Oversized triangular headlights flank the silver kidney grilles at the front, while at the rear, wide, body-coloured bumpers give the car a road-hugging stance.

This EfficientDynamics model looks identical to the more powerful 116d and 118d versions, as it features the same smart 16-inch alloy wheels and chrome exhaust.

A three-door version of the ED has recently hit showrooms. It benefits from a sleeker roofline and slightly lower price, but access to the cabin is more tricky than in the five-door, particularly for rear passengers.

Once you’re inside, there’s none of the wow factor you get in the Audi, There’s a lot of black plastic covering the dash and the layout is functional rather than stylish.

However, the fixed 6.5-inch colour display is bigger and clearer than the pop-up screen in the A3, while the iDrive controller is almost as easy to use on the move as the Audi’s MMI sytem. The wraparound dashboard is also logically laid out, while the switchgear operates with well engineered precision.

Like most premium models, the 1 Series doesn’t come as generously equipped as the V40. Key features like cruise control, sat-nav and leather are only available in expensive option packages. Still, essentials like air-con, Bluetooth and a USB music connection are all included as standard – as is a keyless starter button.

The low driving position is close to perfect, and there’s plenty of adjustment for the wheel and seat, so getting comfortable is a breeze. However, rear passengers might not find it quite so easy. The BMW has more headroom than the V40, but legroom is a little tight, despite the fact that its wheelbase is the longest of the three cars here. The high transmission tunnel also means those sitting in the middle seat get less room for their feet. Still, the five-door layout provides more straightforward access to the rear bench than in the three-door A3.

That extra length has been put to good use in the boot, as the BMW is capable of carrying 100 litres more than the A3 with the rear bench folded flat – at 1,200 litres – while practical touches like the bottle-sized door pockets give it an edge over the Audi.

That slender advantage is extended out on the road, where the modestly powered 116d ED proves that a big horsepower figure is not always essential for an engaging drive. The well judged ride and quick steering rack make the BMW feel wonderfully agile and provide plenty of feedback. There’s also lots of grip, while the brakes are smooth and progressive.

It was over a second slower than the A3 in our in-gear tests at the track, but it rarely wanted for straight-line performance on the road. In fact, the six-speed manual gearbox’s well chosen ratios and a decent dose of torque mean the 1 Series feels almost as responsive as the faster Audi.

It trails the Audi and Volvo on refinement, especially when the engine is idling. However, the BMW is still a relaxing long-distance choice, with its comfortable ride and seats.

The modest power output also translates to affordable running costs. Standard stop-start technology and a host of EfficientDynamics tweaks helped the 116d return an impressive 48.6mpg, while CO2 emissions of 99g/km mean it qualifies for a free tax disc.

This class-leading efficiency also makes the BMW the cheapest choice for company users. On top of that, there’s great-value fixed-price servicing, strong residual values and a lower list price. Combine this with decent practicality, an upmarket image and sharp driving dynamics, and the 1 Series continues to make a strong case for itself at the top of the class.

8

Audi A3 2.0 TDI SE

It’s evolution not revolution for the new A3, but classy interior and new engine impress

The new A3 is more evolution than revolution, and this result reflects that. There’s no denying that the muscular performance of the 2.0-litre engine is worth the extra over the BMW, but the car’s dynamics and styling show a lack of ambition. Audi should have tried harder.

The Audi A3 can rightfully claim to have invented the premium compact sector during the nineties. It turned out to be hugely profitable, with Audi selling 1.8 million examples of the MkII across three bodystyles.

This success was soon copied by rivals, and now competition in the class is hotter than ever. The BMW 1 Series is into its second generation, while new players like the / and more upmarket Mercedes A-Class will ensure that this new A3 has a tough time matching the great sales success of its predecessors.

Making that task even tougher is the fact that, even though the A3 is an all-new car, the exterior design has barely moved on from where its predecessor left off – it’s even the same length and height as the old MkII.

A longer wheelbase and wider track mean the new car has shorter overhangs, while the wheels are pushed closer to each corner. Angular new lights front and rear give it a modern look, but Audi’s trademark LED running lamps are only standard on top-spec S line versions. They cost £1,250 to fit as part of a xenon lights pack on lesser models.

Sharp headlamps aren’t enough, though, and our test car didn’t have the visual presence of the sleek V40. Sportier trims get lowered suspension and bigger wheels, but these still aren’t sufficient to make the new A3 stand out.

There are big changes hidden under the unassuming bodywork, however. This Audi is around 80kg lighter than the old car, thanks to an intensive weight-saving programme that includes an aluminium bonnet and front wings, plus a rigid new bodyshell. The revised 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine is lighter, too.

The ‘less is more’ philosophy extends to the impressive cabin, which sets new class standards for quality and design. Every version of the A3 comes with a slim 5.8-inch MMI screen that rises from the dashboard on start-up. Key functions are accessed via an elegantly simple pair of toggle switches and a new, larger central control wheel. Everything from the Bluetooth to the £495 optional SD card-based sat-nav is brilliantly intuitive, too.

The A1-inspired jet turbine air vents also look fantastic, adding to a cabin that feels luxurious even in basic SE trim.

Although the five-door model is set to arrive soon, even this three-door offers a lot more room inside than the previous A3. Headroom has been improved for driver and passengers, while there’s more rear legroom than in the Volvo. With the rear seats in place, the Audi has the biggest boot (at 365 litres) and the widest third seat in the back. But the limited rear access means that family buyers would be better off waiting for the five-door Sportback to be added to the line-up.

At launch, there are two petrol engines and two diesels to choose from – including a 1.4-litre TSI with 120bhp and the familiar 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI (the closest match for the diesel engines we tested in the 1 Series and V40). However, the majority of UK A3s sold will be powered by the 2.0-litre TDI that’s fitted to our test car.

This diesel engine’s muscular 148bhp and 320Nm of torque really impressed out on the road, where the broad spread of power and smooth delivery made the A3 feel really eager. It’s also remarkably refined, but at motorway speeds the ride in the Audi was noticeably firmer than in its rivals, with even small bumps in the tarmac transmitted into the cabin.

The new chassis is designed to deliver a more exciting driving experience, as it’s lighter and more rigid than before. But while the steering is quick and direct and the six-speed gearbox is accurate, the A3 never comes close to matching the driver engagement you get from the superbly balanced BMW.

You might assume the performance advantage the Audi has over its rivals here would make it more expensive to run, but in fact it returned close to 50mpg on our test. Emissions of 106g/km mean it will be almost as cheap to run as the BMW for private buyers, plus it’s cleaner than the equivalent 118d.

Is that enough to secure victory for the A3? Or will BMW keep its premium hatch crown?

8

Volvo V40 D2

Slick hatch is stylish and extremely safe

Another close result leaves the V40 pipped at the post. However, with a rugged off-road version and hot R-Design model on the horizon, Volvo should not be discouraged. The car is comfortable, stylish, well equipped and good to drive – only the interior packaging lets it down.

Both its rivals have put in a strong showing, but don’t count the new Volvo V40 out just yet. It came very close to beating the BMW on its debut and, for buyers weary of choosing between the same premium brands, it offers a real breath of fresh air.

We’ve become accustomed to the Volvo’s attractive shape by now, yet even in plain white, the eye-catching design still puts it ahead of the A3 and 1 Series.

The curved rear lights and raised silver lettering across the glass tailgate make it look especially smart. Options like the £1,250 xenon headlights with slim LEDs in the front bumper, and classy £550 17-inch multi-spoke ‘Mannan’ alloys, add to the visual appeal.

The V40 manages to incorporate the latest Volvo design cues without taking the same Russian doll approach as the Audi and BMW – and looks all the better for it.

There’s plenty of substance to back up that style, too. Even in SE spec, the Volvo comes with an enviable equipment list that includes climate and cruise control, keyless entry, a five-inch infotainment screen and electric folding door mirrors. Modern details like the optional digital instrument dials and backlit gearlever (£350) offer something different from the norm, while the wide front seats are supremely comfortable.

However, despite being nicely finished in high-quality materials, the dash is button-heavy and makes navigating the various menus tricky – a problem that’s exacerbated by the small text used on the screen.

Finding the right driving position is made difficult by a high clutch pedal, while the V40 offers less interior space than both its rivals. The wheelarches encroach on the rear doors, so access to the back is tight, and once you’re inside, headroom is in surprisingly short supply compared to the smaller A3. The high loading lip and narrow boot also mean it’s tough to put large items into the back.

Despite these niggles, the V40 is just as desirable as its premium counterparts – but can it match their performance on the road?

First impressions are good: the 1.6-litre engine is more refined than the BMW’s, while shorter gearing and a 20Nm torque advantage make it feel more urgent than the 1 Series, too.

The brakes are very strong and the V40 stopped in the shortest distance from 70mph (45.9 metres). Yet the heavy steering feels artificial and the vague gearbox is frustrating.

This lack of polish won’t bother all potential buyers – many will prefer the V40’s refinement and stable handling. Ultimately, it falls just short of the firmer A3.

Weaker residuals and higher servicing costs also make the Volvo hard to recommend as a long-term investment – even though it used less fuel on test than the 116d ED.

Facts and figures