We’ve come to expect superior shutlines and interior finish on every model to roll out of Ingolstadt. The Sportback is no different. The TT-inspired dashboard is elegant and superbly screwed together, and the red-lit instrumentation is particularly effective and classy at night.
A wide range of steering wheel and seat adjustment means a comfortable driving position is easy to find. Rear-seat passengers also benefit from slightly more legroom thanks to a redesign of the front seatbacks. It is this, and the extra capacity in the boot, which lifts the Sportback above its BMW 1-series rival as a practical five-door.
As part of an excellent safety package, all Sportbacks feature front, side and head airbags along with active head restraints on all five seats. Anti-lock brakes are standard along with stability and traction control. All A3s are well equipped and the Sport comes with electronic climate control, CD player, trip computer and a leather steering wheel.
At £20,030 the Sportback 2.0 TDi Sport is £670 less than a BMW 120d Sport. The Audi is also slightly more frugal with a combined figure of 50.4mpg (120d 49.5mpg), and we still managed a 37.5mpg average test figure, despite driving the car hard. Both cars fall into the 16 per cent company car tax bracket, the Audi pumping out 148g/km of CO2.