If ever a car maker wanted proof that it makes sense to spend money on designing high-quality, classy interiors, the A3 provides it. Yes, the dials are starting to look a little dated and the centre stack looks rather low rent without a sat-nav screen but, dashboard apart, the cabin has borne the years remarkably well.
It doesn’t just look good, either. It also works well. The driving position is just a fraction more steering reach adjustment away from flawless; and the layout of the major controls is time-honoured and beyond serious criticism.
Anyone used to the largely vestigial rear seats of most cars in this class will be astonished to discover that two average-size adults can sit behind similarly proportioned front seat occupants in more than reasonable comfort. Even unusually tall occupants can sit in the rather upright seats without their heads coming near the roof.
Handily and unusually for this sort of car, those seats also split and fold to give unrivalled practicality – and that’s before you consider that all of the reasonable 260-litre boot is available whether the roof is up or down. The only area worthy of genuine criticism is that the boot lid is short and presents a very small aperture through which to load items.
We can see why most buyers will pick a diesel version. Good though this 1.8-litre petrol engine is, we achieved 38.2mpg on our touring route and averaged 29.4mpg overall; the 2.0-litre diesel will stretch every gallon a further 15 miles and cut the price of your tax disc by £40.
Not only does the Audi’s price shade the equivalent BMW’s, it will also prove a better home for your investment. Historically, convertible Audis have had strong residuals and forecasts for the A3 cabriolet show no break in this pattern. The £14,437 that our test car is estimated to be worth after three years is £1500 more than the more expensive BMW 120i SE.