Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi A3 TDI

Oil-burning flagship scores on image. We see if it’s a winner.

Audi knows how to build high-performance diesel engines. In recent years, the company’s R10 TDI racers have dominated the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours, winning the French endurance race every year between 2006 and 2008.

Now, bosses at the brand are hoping to sprinkle some of the glamour of this track success on to the A3 hatchback, with the addition of a new Sport model. However, you’d struggle to call the newcomer extrovert. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

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

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

Externally, the only clue to this performance potential is a set of stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, while stiffer sports suspension means the car rides 15mm lower than entry-level versions.

Elsewhere, the Sport shares the same restrained good looks of the standard five-door Sportback. As with the rest of the A3 range, it benefited from a mild facelift last year – this brought sleeker headlamps and larger tail-lights. It can’t match the impact of the Golf, but the design leaves you in no doubt that the A3 is a premium product.

Inside, this feeling continues, with a cabin that oozes quality. The dashboard is attractively laid out and beautifully finished, and includes neat alloy-trimmed air vents borrowed from the TT. Sport spec adds a pair of heavily bolstered front seats, as well as a chunky leather-rimmed steering wheel. There’s a decent amount of standard kit, too, with dual-zone climate control, a trip computer and a useful sun blind incorporated into the parcel shelf. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

GLA

2017 Mercedes

GLA

55,915 milesAutomaticDiesel2.1L

Cash £13,500
View GLA
X1

2019 BMW

X1

32,481 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £18,500
View X1
Scirocco

2018 Volkswagen

Scirocco

66,000 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £8,200
View Scirocco
Picanto

2023 Kia

Picanto

28,150 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,700
View Picanto

But don’t think the Audi’s interior is all style and no substance. Passengers in the rear will find the A3 serves up similar space to the Golf, although the lower roofline means there’s less headroom. Open the tailgate and you’ll find the boot has a healthy 370-litre carrying capacity – that’s 20 litres more than in the VW.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At the test track, there was much less between our contenders. Because the cars are equipped with exactly the same 168bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, it was no surprise they posted virtually identical times during our acceleration assessments. However, the A3 can’t match the

smooth power delivery of the Golf. The Sportback sounds gruff when worked hard, and feels lethargic below 2,000rpm, when its torque is delivered suddenly in a turbocharged rush. Keep the engine revs up, though, and it has plenty of real world pace.

Turn into a series of corners and the Audi displays impressive composure. Its controls don’t provide the weight or feedback of the Golf’s, but it’s still capable. 

Direct steering aids the car’s agility, while the sports suspension improves body control. It’s just a shame the stiffer set-up also hampers low-speed ride comfort, causing the Sportback to crash over rough city centre streets – a trait that’s at odds with the car’s otherwise strong refinement.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the A3 is its price. At £22,120, it undercuts the Golf by £315. The question is whether this saving is enough to give the Audi victory?

Details

Chart position: 2
WHY: A3 uses the same engine as VW, and wears a premium badge. Can new Sport trim match Golf GTD on the road?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,310 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,711
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £9,900
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,223 off RRP*Used from £15,337
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025